Real revival long overdue

Over the next few weeks uefa.com will be charting the history of all clubs through to next season's UEFA Champions League from the third qualifying round onwards. Here we look at Spain's Real Sociedad de Fútbol.

Basque club
Formed in 1909, Real Sociedad de Fútbol spent their early years playing regional football, and as runners-up in the Basque Country, lost a famous final against FC Barcelona in 1927/28. It was no surprise, then, when they were invited to join the new First Division in 1928/29.

Donostia FC
Goal difference denied Real the title in 1930/31, but four years later they were relegated. By now, the San Sebastian club were known as Donostia FC for political reasons preceding the Spanish Civil War. When football resumed after the conflict, Real reclaimed their élite status.

Ups and downs
Over the following decade, the 'txuri-urdin' (or blue and whites) earned the reputation of a yo-yo club, suffering three relegations. The 1950s, meanwhile, were notable for the fifth place achieved by Benito Díaz's team in 1950/51, when Real were also beaten Spanish Cup finalists.

Second tier
Real were demoted again in 1961/62. They remained in the second division for five years, with only the excitement of a 1964/65 cup run, when Real lost in the semi-finals, lifting the gloom.

European debut
The 1970s were a vast improvement, however, and Real qualified for Europe for the first time in 1973/74. By 1979/80, Alberto Ormaetxea's team were title contenders. Unbeaten league leaders until the penultimate day of the season, Real lost 2-1 to Sevilla FC to hand the title to Real Madrid CF.

Title triumph
Yet revenge was sweet. Needing a point from Sporting Gijón on the last day of the 1980/81 season, Real struck a last-minute equaliser to draw 2-2 and wrest the title from Madrid on goal difference.

Repeat victory
Then it was Barcelona who were second best as Real reclaimed the title with a win against Athletic Club Bilbao. As well as the championship, Ormaetxea's men also defeated Madrid to win the Spanish Super Cup.

Semi-finalists
Europe was next, and in 1982/83 Real beat Celtic FC and Sporting Clube de Portugal to reach the European Champion Clubs' Cup semi-finals, where they lost to Hamburger SV.

Cup success
After Ormaetxea was replaced by John Toshack, Real won their first Spanish Cup in 1986/87, on penalties against Atlético. The following season, they were runners-up in both league and cup - going down to Barcelona in the latter tournament.

Foreign signings
The next milestone came in 1989 when the club decided to break with tradition and allow the signing of non-Basque players. John Aldridge was the first and he scored 16 goals as Real finished fifth in the league.

Change of address
At the end of the 1992/93 campaign, Real left their Atotxa home for the 32,000-seater Anoeta. The new stadium soon welcomed European football after coach Bernd Krauss led the team to third place in 1997/98.

Back on track
The next few seasons were troubled ones, yet after a relegation scare in 2001/02, Real bounced back in style. With French coach Raynald Denoueix at the helm, and a mix of homegrown (Xabi Alonso) and foreign talent (Nihat Kahveci), Real finished second in the league behind Madrid to qualify for the UEFA Champions League for the first time.