The exhibitions of the Historical Heritage Area return to the VIP Box of the Ciutat de València stadium on the occasion of the match this Sunday between Levante UD and FC Barcelona. This time, the exhibition is dedicated to Josep Escolà, a distinguished forward for the Blaugrana team during the years immediately following the Civil War and throughout the 1940s. After retiring from professional football and transitioning to a coaching career, he led Levante during the mid-1950s.

Escolà took over the Vallejo bench in the summer of 1955. That Levante team underwent a deep restructuring of its squad with the sole aim of achieving promotion to the Second Division. Levante in the early 1950s had alternated between the Second and Third Divisions without managing to establish itself in the second tier of professional football. Escolà spearheaded the 1955-56 project in the realm of the Third Division.

The restructuring transformed the bench and the core of the squad. The experience was rewarding, and Levante returned to the Silver category. It was a season that stretched over time. The Granota team set the pace in the Third Division and overcame the various promotion phases to complete a remarkable campaign.

Escolà remained with the Blaugrana locker room and began the adventure of returning to the Silver category. However, the outcome was not happy. An illness forced him away from the Blaugrana bench during the competition. In December, Levante and Escolà abruptly parted ways due to an untimely illness.

The Barcelona Professor

He transitioned to coaching after an outstanding professional career with FC Barcelona. He joined the Blaugrana squad in 1934 and stayed until the late 1940s. There was a hiatus during the Civil War. Exiled during the conflict, Escolà played for the French club Sète. Upon returning to Spain, he was suspended for a year by the new Francoist authorities.

In the 1940-41 season, he resumed his professional activity with FC Barcelona. Reports recall that he had a powerful shot, an astonishing ability to score goals, and refined, outstanding technique. He was known as the Professor. Journalists of the time also highlighted his respect for the rules of the game and his opponents.

A regular protagonist against Levante

His relationship with Levante dates back to his time on the Vallejo bench. Fate seemed whimsical, guiding his path toward Levante. Escolà participated in the Copa de España quarterfinals matchup between Levante and Barcelona during the 1934-35 season.

That Levante team defied the odds against the favored Barcelona and reached the semifinals after overwhelming the Blaugrana at the Torrero stadium in the third match. Escolà left his mark as a scorer in the home and away games. He celebrated two goals at Les Corts in the surprising 2-2 draw and scored against Vidal at the Campo de La Cruz (1-1).

His presence can also be traced to the match played at the Campo de La Cruz in February 1937, part of the Mediterranean League. The match report, preserved by Levante's Historical Heritage Area, confirms his participation in a game that ended in a goal-filled draw (3-3). Escolà was one of the standout players, scoring all three goals for the visiting team. His goal-scoring instinct was particularly evident against the Granota team. He was a formidable opponent for their defense.

Escolà's contract and the memory of promotion

The exhibition on display this Sunday in the VIP Box of the Ciutat de València offers a closer look at the figure of Josep Escolà and, in particular, his connection with Levante during the 1955-56 season.

Among the items featured in the exhibition is the contract that tied Escolà to Levante during that season, including his earnings, along with documents related to his time at the club. The match report from the Mediterranean League game, won by Barcelona, is part of the selected documentation.

The exhibition also includes an artistic painting depicting the squad and management team that achieved that historic promotion, accompanied by the crests of all contemporary Levante supporters' clubs. This collection of documents allows visitors to relive the memory of that team and a coach whose career was closely linked to two of the main protagonists of this Sunday's match: Levante UD and FC Barcelona.