Bilbao: Every year at San Mames, the iconic home of Athletic Club in Bilbao, local fans come together to celebrate a unique value in football - loyalty. The Basque outfit, known for fielding only players born or raised in the region, introduced the One-Club Award in 2015 to honor players who dedicated their entire professional careers to a single team.
According to Ghana Web, the award was created to recognize the dream many children have of playing for one club and to highlight that, despite the prevalence of big-money transfers in modern football, there are top players worldwide who aspire to be one-club players. Dan Parry from Athletic Club's communications department explains, "It's an individual award, but it's also an award that celebrates the union between the football team, fans, and the player."
This sense of loyalty is a curious phenomenon in football, where players often outlast several managers and face different trajectories in their careers. The club must also want the player, and a strong bond with the fans is essential. Some players become cult heroes or club legends, embodying the values of their club or fan base, even if they aren't the most talented or celebrated players.
Athletic Club's award is exclusively given to retired players from other clubs who embody these values. The list of honorees includes legends like Lev Yashin, who spent his career at Dynamo Moscow, and Francesco Totti, who dedicated his entire career to AS Roma. The list also features current Athletic star Inaki Williams, who has made over 500 appearances for the club, helping them achieve significant milestones.
The award highlights the rarity and difficulty of being a one-club player, especially in modern football's commercialized environment. Players like Jamie Carragher of Liverpool and Carles Puyol of Barcelona have also been honored, both acknowledging the challenges of staying loyal to one club amidst changing club strategies and managerial changes.
Ultimately, the One-Club Man award is a tribute to the loyalty and dedication that these players have shown to their clubs, reflecting the deep connection between the player, the team, and its supporters.