UE Sant Andreu
Ground: Camp Municipal Narcís Sala
Capacity: 6,563
Club Founded: 1909
League: Primera Federación Grupo II - 3rd Tier (current level)
Many football fans look no further than FC Barcelona when the Catalan city is mentioned, yet it has some outstanding clubs and smaller venues where passionate fans cheer on their local teams. UE Sant Andreu are a classic example.
UE Sant Andreu Club History
The Early Years
Unió Esportiva Sant Andreu, to give the club its full title, was formed on January 21st 1909, as Club de Futbol Andreuenc. Its inspiration came from Scots working in the city’s spinning mills in Barcelona's industries between Sant Andreu and Sant Martí. They formed Foot-ball Club Escocès, whose first game was a 2-0 defeat to FC Barcelona in February 1900.
Within a few months, the Scots dispersed to other clubs, but they left a legacy with the youth of Sant Andreu. Andreuenc progressed to the Catalan Segona Categoria from 1913 to 1925, going on to play in the Supercopa de Catalunya, which ended in a 4-1 defeat to FC Barcelona.
The Civil War Era
Andreuenc merged with Avenç del Sport in June 1925, playing home matches at Plaça de l'Avenç. The team was placed in the regional Segona Categoria. They narrowly missed out on promotion several times up to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.
Under Franco’s rule, the dictator abolished saints’ names. The district of Sant Andreu became known as Harmonia de Palomar. The club reverted to Avenç del Sport's former name. Under coach Pep Planas, the team won the Campionat de Catalunya in 1939-40. They were promoted to the Tercera División, changing names to Club Deportivo San Andrés.
A Record-Breaking League Finish
Coach Planas and several players moved to FC Barcelona, with Sant Andreu being relegated a couple of seasons later. Worse was to follow with a further demotion in 1941-42, before the club regained their top-flight regional status twelve months later. Sant Andreu remained at that level as the new President; Narcís Sala arrived at the club in 1945.
The club soon returned to the Tercera División, where they won the divisional title and went on to gain promotion to the Segunda División following a play-off victory over Torrero. The 1950-51 campaign saw Sant Andreu finish fourth in the second tier, the highest in the club’s history.
However, maintaining a team at that level hurt the club financially. A deal was struck with RCD Espanyol, who provided young players and cash. The liaison with Espanyol broke down, leading to the club board resigning the team’s second-tier status at the conclusion of the 1952-53 campaign, to return to the Tercera División.
Promotion was denied following a play-off defeat to Lleida Esportiu a few seasons later. The club slumped as players and members departed. Things were corrected over time, culminating in another Tercera championship in 1968-69 under the returning President Sala after a further liaison with Espanyol.
A New Stadium and Relegations
Sant Andreu were promoted to the Segunda División through the playoffs after beating Alcoià. A new ground was built on the site of the old one on Carrer de Santa Coloma. A game against FC Barcelona inaugurated the new stadium, as the club consolidated their second-tier status.
The 1976-77 season was to end in relegation, as Espanyol required the services of several youth players at Sant Andreu, and the team’s veteran players were nearing the end of their careers. Worse was to follow with another relegation at the end of the decade when the club played under the name Unión Deportiva San Andrés.
FC Barcelona Assistance
Relegation was put into perspective as Narcís Sala passed away a few weeks later. The club changed their name once again to Unió Esportiva Sant Andreu. In the mid-80s, they missed out on promotion after a play-off defeat to UD Alzira. A further championship at the end of the decade sealed promotion back to Segunda División B.
Club finances were aided by FC Barcelona Vice-President, Joan Gaspart. A large playing budget led to Sant Andreu winning the Grupo II title, but they failed to win promotion to the second tier after losing out in their play-off group.
Back to Regional Football
Soon, the club once again hit financial difficulties. Unpaid players left, and Gaspart decided not to fund the team any further. Sant Andreu were relegated in 1996-97. The club relied on young players as costs were cut. It led to a further relegation to Primera Catalana, a level the club hadn't played in since 1947.
An experienced side was put together as Sant Andreu won the league title and promotion by eleven points. Back in the Tercera División, former player Roberto Puerto took over as coach in 2001-02, taking the side to the playoffs. Segunda División B was reached after defeating Mazarrón FC once Gaspart had returned to the club as President.
Gradual Progress
The team was relegated back to the fourth tier after a couple of seasons as several veteran players retired. Natxo González arrived as coach, taking Sant Andreu to promotion, as Arandina CF were defeated at Camp Municipal Narcís Sala. In 2008-09, the team finished runners-up to Pep Guardiola’s FC Barcelona B side.
Sant Andreu failed to progress in the playoffs after a defeat to AD Alcorcón despite the fine efforts of José Miguel Morales in goal. The following season saw wins in the Copa Del Rey against CF Gandía and CD Alcalá before going out to Real Murcia. Gaspart sold the club at the end of the season.
Copa Del Rey and Playoffs
New coach Patxi Salinas led the side to the Round of 32 of the Copa Del Rey in 2013-14 before going out to Atlético Madrid. Manuel Camino bought the club a few months later when the team was relegated to the Tercera División. Head coaches came and went, with the club once again struggling financially.
Promotion hopes were ended in consecutive seasons by CD Castellón and CE L'Hospitalet. The 2020-21 campaign was one of transition in Spanish football as the lower leagues were restructured. Sant Andreu remained in the Tercera; only it was now the fifth tier.
Recent Seasons
The team reached the playoffs under David Pirri, as Germán Fassani supplied the goals, and UE Olut won the semi-final tie. There was to be no mistake in 2022-23, by which time Xavi Molist had been appointed as head coach, as Sant Andreu defeated CP San Cristóbal in the playoffs to be promoted to the Segunda Federación.
The progression continued, with the side reaching the playoffs once again at the higher grade. Zamora CF ended any dreams of promotion at an early stage. CF Rayo Majadahonda did similarly in 2024-25. Natxo González was appointed head coach and took Sant Andreu to promotion as champions to the third tier, Primera Federación.
My visit
Sunday 21st January 2018
It was a stunning Sunday afternoon as I left the match between CE Europa and Gavà to go and visit a few more football grounds before the day was out. My adventures had shown me that the grounds were open all day to stage junior matches for each club.
It was why I decided to make the effort to call in on Camp Municipal de Futbol Narcís Sala, as I wasn’t certain that there would be anyone around the following day. I took the 92 bus from Sardenya – Camèlies to Av Gaudí, where I changed for the H8.
The driver told the passengers something about half a mile from the ground, and everyone got off. I followed suit and enjoyed the rays. An acoustic set played some old Radiohead across the square. It really was a good day.
Carrer Gran de la Sagrera took me near the stadium entrance, where the gates were open with several youths and their parents coming and going. It was just between games, with the 2.30pm match in the Division Honor Infantil Grupo 1 between Sant Andreu and UFB Jabac I Terrassa about to kick off.
Around 75 spectators had taken their place around the ground in the glorious sunshine as I took some photos of the most impressive venue with open seating on all sides, interrupted by a roof on the main side.
The structure was receiving some restoration, with scaffolding in place. While I was tempted to watch some action, my curiosity to see further grounds took over. I walked around and took the Metro from Onze de Setembre to Via Julia after a couple of changes, to take a peek at the Nou Barris home of CF Montañesa.