BROMSGROVE Sporting have teamed up with La Liga giants Athletic Bilbao ahead of Non-League Day later this month.
Sporting host Banbury United at the Victoria Ground on Non-League Day which takes place on Saturday, March 22.
And Spanish side Bilbao, also known as Athletic Club, have teamed up with six English non-league clubs ahead of Non-League Day.
The La Liga side have joined forces with six teams, including Sporting, who also play in the Spanish club’s red-and-white striped shirt colours.
Sporting have received a men’s and women’s Bilbao shirt to raffle off at the Banbury fixture.
Bilbao wore their first red-and-white kit in a friendly against English side Sporting Irun – from either Sunderland or Southampton – in 1910.
Athletic Club’s international communications officer, Dan Parry said: “Grassroots football is where it all begins.
“It plays a crucial role in local communities not only in the Basque Country, where it’s particularly important to Athletic Club’s sporting policy of only fielding players born or developed here, but also across the entire planet.
“Our Basque Non-League Day, involving Athletic’s partner clubs, is inspired by the British version, and we’re delighted to once again connect with non-league clubs in the UK.
“Previous collaborations have focused on our historical ties to British football, but this year we’ve sought to create new connections via our beloved red and white stripes.
“We’re thrilled that these six clubs have agreed to work with us. Each club has received two Athletic Club shirts to raffle at their respective matches as well as a bespoke flag with our crests and the Euskal Non-League Day logo to fly at their grounds.
“We encourage all ‘Athleticzales’ in the UK over that weekend to attend one of these matches.”
Bilbao have also teamed up with Altrincham, Evesham United, Sheppey United, Steyning Town and Witton Albion.
Athletic Club currently sit fourth in La Liga and recently qualified for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League.
Bilbao have won La Liga eight times and the Copa del Rey on 24 occasions.
