All Boys: English roots at the Islas Malvinas stadium

Words: Groundspotters

Images: Groundspotters

Only the love and loyalty to colours and to your neighbourhood club can mobilize you to the stands on a late Monday night, during the coldest autumn in many years.

The appointment was in Floresta, a neighbourhood in the western area of Buenos Aires city, more precisely in the Islas Malvinas stadium. Home of Club Atlético All Boys since 1963.

Although the club obtained the land in 1959, the lack of money delayed the possibility of moving forward with the work that would allow the move to be completed and home games to be played there.

On September 28, 1963, with the team participating in the Primera C division, the new field was inaugurated with a game against Deportivo Riestra.

The name All Boys stands proud as an example of Argentinian clubs being named in English, like Newell’s Old Boys, River Plate and of course, tonight’s opponents Arsenal.

©Groundspotters/ Terrace Edition. Club Atlético All Boys vs Arsenal Fútbol Club.

Given the low temperature and the start of the game scheduled for 9:05 p.m, a patient attitude was required, especially for All Boys, who had drawn their last three games and Arsenal, who had lost their last three away matches.

The heat in the Primera Nacional, Zone A match came from the fans, who showed that the Argentinian second division can do pyro and rhythm as well as the first.

The fans had barely come off Alcaraz street and settled in the stadium before Diego Guallama has scored for All Boys from close range.

With this result, All Boys reached fifth position in their group with 23 points, just four behind San Martín de San Juan, which is at top of the table and against whom, coincidentally, their next match will be.

All Boys´ dream remains intact. After 10 years, the team from Floresta with the English name wants to play in the first division again.