Gregorio Sena


Gregorio Sena Manterola was a Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder for Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao. His brothers Alfonso and Miguel also played for Real Sociedad. He also played one match for the Catalan national team.

Early life and education

Born in San Sebastián on 8 September 1890, Sena developed a deep interest in football during his stay in England, where he made his debut with the London Club in 1907, in the second division championship in London. He quickly stood out from the rest, so much so that on one occasion, a distinguished lady from the English aristocracy threw him a bracelet made of gold and diamond, which Gregorio kept for the rest of his life.

Club career

In 1908, Sena returned to Continental Europe, specifically to France, where he played for the newly-established Vie au Grand Air du Médoc. The following year, in 1909, he returned to his hometown, where he briefly played for Real Sociedad, then known as Vasconia de San Sebastián, under whose name they reached the 1910 UECF Copa del Rey final, which they lost 1–0 to Athletic Bilbao. During the early 1910s, he played with Real Sociedad, where he played alongside his brothers Miguel and Alfonso. He stayed there until 1912, when his studies forced him to move to Barcelona, where he soon joined the ranks of Espanyol, making his debut with the first team on December 1912, in a friendly match against Real Club de Polo de Barcelona. In his first season at Espanyol, he only played six official matches, five in the Catalan championship and one in the Copa del Rey.
In 1913, Sena returned to Sociedad, where he played for six years, until 1919, scoring a total of 3 goals in 20 matches, which ended in 10 victories, 7 losses, and 3 draws. One of his goals came in the form of a 6th-minute strike against Real Unión in the Biscay Championship in November 1915; the match ended in a 1–1 draw. Sena spent most of the 1918–19 season in Barcelona, playing only one official match for Sociedad, the first leg of the 1919 Copa del Rey quarter-finals against FC Barcelona at Les Corts.
In 1919, Sena was signed by Athletic Bilbao, making his competitive debut on 10 December 1919 in a 1–1 draw with Erandio. Together with Domingo Acedo, Pichichi and José María Belauste, Sena played a crucial role in helping Athletic win the 1919–20 Biscay Championship, and then reach the final of the 1920 Copa del Rey, which ended in a 2–0 loss to Barça.

International career

On 1 December 1912, Sena earned his first cap for the Catalan national team, in a friendly match against France (UIAFA), helping his side to a 1–0 victory.

Honours

Real Sociedad
Athletic Club