Why are Barca Fans called Culés?

byLa Espectadora –

Why are Barca fans called Cules?
©️fcbarcelona/blaugrananation
Barcelona fans have long addressed themselves as Culés, and quite proudly so. The origin of the term and how it came to be has a rather quirky story in the backdrop, that dates back to early 20th century Catalonia. 

With a capacity of about 100,000 spectators, the Camp Nou is by far the largest Stadium in all of Europe. But that had not always been the case.


Also Read: How many La Liga titles has Barcelona won?


At the turn of the century, right after the club was formed, Barcelona was yet to have a permanent home ground. They would play in open fields around the city until finally settling at the Camp de la Industria in 1909.


Now the Camp de la Industria had a capacity of only about 6,000 spectators, which certainly couldn’t accommodate all of the Barcelonistas in Catalonia. As the two-tiered stands filled-up, people would perch on the walls surrounding the stadium. And on matchdays – as English Writer Phil Bal had put it – 'all you could see was rows and rows of backsides'.

Barca Fans sitting on the walls of the old Stadium
Fans perching on the walls during match days ©️tribuna 

Hence the Catalan word for backside – 'Cul' – would eventually spring the term 'Culés', something that served as a quirky reference to the passionate love spectators held for the sport – perching on top of walls, hunching over the game, with only their culs visible from outside the stadium.


Over the years, Barcelona fans have proudly addressed themselves as Culés, and the term itself has become one with the history of the club.

Culés chant their identity with pride every game:


“Jo sóc Culer, sóc de Les Corts (I'm a Cule, I'm from Les Corts)”

“T’animaré fins a la mort (I will cheer for you to death)”

“Jo sóc culer, vaig al Camp Nou (I'm clue, I go to Camp Nou)”

“On tornarem a ser campeones (Where we will be champions again)”

FAQs

What was the capacity of Camp de Les Corts?

Camp de Les Corts had a capacity of 60,000 spectators. 

What was the capacity of Camp Nou?

When full, the Camp Nou could house 99,354  spectators at a time.

What will be the capacity of the new Spotify Camp Nou? 

The new Spotify Camp Nou will have a capacity of about 105,000.

In case you missed:


Editor's Desk  | A.Ash ✎ 
Category

GraphComments