On Sunday, a group of fans from the Spartans will wear the green and white stripes of their club to support Real Betis in their derby against Sevilla.
The tale of an Irishman who captained Manchester United, won Real Betis their only La Liga title and was heralded as the saviour of Barcelona is a tale that has roots in Dublin, Seville and Blyth.
An appreciation of club colors was the initial attraction for the group of people who formed the group of people who formed the group of people who formed the group who formed the group who formed the group who formed the group who formed the group who formed the group who formed the group who formed the group
It is a fan group that has done more than just support from afar, it is also preserving the legacy of the club&s most successful but oft-forgotten coach.
When they learned that Patrick O'Connell was buried in a pauper's grave in London, they set about raising money to provide a proper headstone and a more fitting final resting place.
The group presented a bust of the Irishman to the club in front of 37,000 fans on the pitch at Real in front of the support of players such as Luis Figo.
"We couldn't believe it, nobody knew where he was for 30 years," said Simon Needham, secretary of the Blyth Pena.
A man who captained Manchester United and Ireland and managed Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War was buried in an unmarked grave.
The legendary Dublin-born O&Connell has managed both Sevilla and Betis, though he is most well-known for his work with Sevilla.
He has a fascinating story that was made into a film off the back of a work by a famous artist.
In 1915, O'Connell was involved in Manchester United's controversial 2-0 victory againstLiverpool at Anfield that saw them avoid the drop, but later resulted in seven players being handed life bans for match-fixing by the Football Association.
Although he did miss a penalty in the game, O&Connell was not among those punished and his playing career began to peter out as war gripped the world.
He took his first managerial steps in Ashington, a short drive north of the Blyth fans who wanted to remember him.
After leaving his family in the UK, O&Connell went to Spain to manage Racing Santander.
It was the beginning of a journey in Spanish football that would lead to O'Connell guiding Real Betis to the club's only La Liga title in 1935.
The Irishman, who played six times for his country, was praised for the professionalism, fitness and tactical ideas he brought to the club. Barcelona sought the services of Don Patricio.
The Catalonia league was suspended in 1936 when civil war broke out and Barcelona president Josep Sunyol was killed by Francoist soldiers.
Barcelona continued playing regional football and, as the club's economic situation worsened, O'Connell led them on a four-month money-making tour of Mexico and New York.
It was a huge success and the club cleared their debts, which is where the story of how he saved Barcelona comes from.
He is regarded highly by the Catalan club for sticking with them during the civil war years, later rejoining Real Betis and also managing rivals Sevilla.
He died of pneumonia in 1959 at the age of 71.
Patrick O&Connell was forgotten in world football and we put his name back.
Real Betis are 100% behind it. Patrick is part of their history and they know that he won their highest honor in the game.
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