WITTON Albion are being supported by one of La Liga’s leading sides this week.
Athletic Club – also widely known as Athletic Bilbao – will be promoting the Wincham-based outfit to their own passionate fan base.
The connection has come about for Non-League Day 2025, which is being marked when Ben Harrison’s men host Avro at the U Lock It Stadium on Saturday.
And this seemingly unlikely link-up stems from both clubs’ teams sporting red and white striped kits.
This tie-in follows on from previous collaborations in which Athletic have sought to connect their own Euskal Non-League Day with its UK counterpart.
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Euskal Non-League Day highlights the work done by non-league affiliated teams across The Basque Country, recognising their importance in producing young players and the role they play in their respective communities
While the Basque club’s prior partnerships focused on the Lions’ historical links with British non-league teams, this year they have endeavoured to forge new ties with grassroots football in the UK.
And in this regard, Witton are one of six clubs chosen by Athletic this season.
The others are Altrincham FC, Bromsgrove Sporting, Evesham United, Sheppey United and Steyning Town.
Red and white has a strong and powerful meaning to the La Liga club.
The opening line of Athletic Club’s official anthem, ‘Athletic gorri ta zuria’ (Athletic, red and white), is a powerful expression of the colours’ importance to Athletic’s history and identity, with red and white also being present on the flag of Bilbao.
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Because of this coupling with Albion, Athletic Club will publish a series of details about Witton’s history, their kit and promote the Northern Premier League West clash with Avro, which kicks off at 3pm.
Witton chiefs say a whole host of plans are in store to mark the occasion.
Non-League Day is an initiative first started in 2010 aimed at promoting non-professional football on a weekend when the elite clubs in the sport are on an international break.
Now an annual feature of the sporting calendar, Non-League Day provides a platform for clubs to promote the importance of affordable volunteer-led community football while giving fans across the country the chance to show support for their local non-league side.
