Unificació Esportiva Sant Ildefons is a football club that was formed in 1994 following the merger of three other local clubs: San Ildefonso, Satélite y Can Mercader and Bambú. The history of those clubs can be traced back to 1968.
UE Sant Ildefons represents the neighbourhood of Sant Ildefons, which is located in the district of Cornellà de Llobregat in the Catalan city of Barcelona. The club has looked to grow its own Escola de Fútbol to offer a chance to local youngsters to continue their progression in the game.
The first team worked their way through Catalan regional football before winning promotion from Segunda Catalana in 2013-14. Three mid-table finishes ensued for the team in Grupo II of Primera Catalana.
Head coach Javier Gomez was tasked with the job of leading the team to improve on their eighth place in the 2016-17 campaign before he was replaced by Efrén García. A lowly league finish and slow start to the following season led to the appointment of new manager Iván Rodríguez in October 2019.
A poor 2021-22 season saw Sant Ildefons relegated to Segona Catalana, which was by now the third-tier of regional football, despite the goals of Pozo. A runners-up birth in Sub-Grupo 3A was enough to return to the second-tier after one season before the appointment of new manager Miguel García Villarejo in June 2023.
The goals of Aleix Diaz helped his side to a third-place finish before they finished in the relegation places twelve months later, which saw the team drop back down to Grupo III of Segona Catalana.
UE Sant Ildefons will play in Segona Catalana Grupo III in the 2025-26 season.
My visit
Saturday 20th January 2018
The weather was getting warmer all the time on the first full day of my visit to Barcelona. I was in good form after a sightseeing walk and gaining access to the El Moli home of neighbours, CF Can Vidalet, as I alighted at Sant Ilfedons.
The barrio was high above the city and revealed views all the way to the water. Within a few minutes, I’d walked from the station along Carrer dels Almogàvers and arrived at the grounds entrance on Av. de Salvador Allende.
My biggest fear when planning such a trip is to be met by a closed ground. However, it was quickly becoming apparent that football clubs in Barcelona were open all weekend and that the artificial pitches meant that a plethora of junior sides could enjoy the facilities.
The open gate was in the highest corner of the venue. A path led down to the changing room and club facilities behind one goal, while a path and steps were in place for spectators wanting to access the main viewing area.
The main pitch was split into two, as at Can Vidalet, with two games going on at the same time. The near pitch saw an intriguing contest between a visiting girls and a home boys' team. The girls went ahead while I was looking around and played some smashing football. I could just imagine the lads taking stick off their mates at school the following Monday!
The main spectator facilities were built into the hill down one side, with a raised cover and seating provided at the nearest end. There was access via a thin path around the far end and sides.
The near goal end was busy as the club bar and café were doing a bomb in trade, as many parents and supporters sat and enjoyed the sun while having food and drink. The changing rooms were down the far side of the pitch.
Again, I left a venue in a really good mood, having seen how football clubs should be part of the community and the venues utilised as much as possible by all.
