The VIP Box of the Ciutat de València pays tribute to the UDLG

The League returns next Friday to the Ciutat de València, proposing a clash between Levante UD and Alavés, and the exhibitions return to the VIP Box of the granota coliseum. In this exhibition, we remember the times of the Unión Deportiva Levante-Gimnástico, popularly known by the acronym UDLG. We go back to the late 1930s and early 1940s in the context of a political and social framework dominated by the end of the Civil War.

The controversial merger of 1939

"Breaking news" warned Las Provincias in the early days of January 1939 to announce the controversial merger of Levante FC and Gimnástico FC. Perhaps it is one of the most controversial chapters in the history of the Levante society.

That union tightened the ties of two antithetical clubs with clearly different horizons and imaginaries. The Jesuit roots of Gimnástico against the republicanism of Levante. The historic center of the city versus the populism of the Maritime Districts. Vallejo and the Campo de La Cruz.

Two origins, one same social roots

The Levante and Gimnástico emerged for football in Valencia in 1909 with the heartbeat of the Regional Exhibition still lingering. Both Levante and Gimnástico were pivotal in the consolidation of the football discipline in the city of Turia.

The merger combined two paths that had run parallel until then. Perhaps they shared the social roots they had acquired in their respective areas of influence.

Economic crisis and political pressure

The merger was interpreted as an economic solution in a context of severe crisis. However, the situation was more complex. The JONS (National Syndicalist Offensive Boards) were vying for the Campo de La Cruz (Levante's stronghold) and the Gimnástico was not experiencing a period of splendor.

The dream of promotion to the First Division

The UDLG dreamed of promotion to the First Division upon returning to competitions after the war. In fact, it led Group III of the Second Division in the 1939-1940 season and faced Real Murcia, Real Sociedad, Deportivo de La Coruña, and Murcia in the promotion phase.

A memorable Generalissimo Cup

A season later, it delivered an exquisite performance in the Generalissimo Cup, only to fall to RCD Espanyol, the reigning champion, in the quarterfinals during the tiebreaker match at the Torrero stronghold in Zaragoza. The UDLG era concluded with its transformation into Levante UD in June 1941.

The pieces of the exhibition

The exhibition presents a replica of the distinctive UDLG jersey, as well as last season's tribute with the reserve kit worn by Levante. We bring back the badge worn by the delegate in official matches. It is a document donated by the Aubary family.

We recover the document, dated January 23, 1948, which lists the founding members of Levante U.D. according to their registration as of August 26, 1939, and a pass in the name of Amador Sanchis, founder of Gimnástico, as well as minutes and photos from the start of the UDLG competition.