Josep Escolà

Football player infobox
playername = Josep Escolà


full name = Josep Escolà Segalés
dateofbirth = August 28 1914
cityofbirth = Barcelona, Catalonia
countryofbirth = Spain
nickname =
position = Forward
years = 19xx-34
1934-37
1937-39
1940-48
clubs = UE Sants
FC Barcelona
FC Sète
CF Barcelona
caps(goals) = X (X)
37 (31)
X (X)
115 (55)
nationalyears = 1931-48
1941-45
nationalteam = Catalan XI
Spain
manageryears = 19xx-xx
19xx-xx
19xx-xx
19xx-xx
managerclubs = CF Badalona
CE Sabadell
CD Castellón
Levante UD
nationalcaps(goals) = 10 (2)
2 (1)
pcupdate = February 1 2007
ntupdate = February 1 2007

Josep Escolà Segalés (born August 28 1914, Barcelona, Catalonia; died in 1998), also referred to as José Escolà, is a former Spanish Catalan footballer who spent most of his career at FC Barcelona. Escolà also played for both Spain and the Catalan XI. After retiring as player in 1948, Escolà managed CF Badalona, CE Sabadell, CD Castellón and Levante UD.

Playing career

FC Barcelona

Escolà made his La Liga debut for FC Barcelona under Franz Platko on December 2 1934 and scored the fourth goal in a 4-0 win against Arenas Club de Getxo at "Les Corts". During his debut season with the club, he helped them win the Campionat de Catalunya. Under Platko’s successor, Patrick O'Connell, and with a team that also included Domènec Balmanya, Joan Josep Nogués and Enrique Fernández, he helped the club win a further Campionat de Catalunya and reach the Copa de España final in 1936. In the final Barça played Madrid CF and with the Madrid club leading 2-1, Escolà was denied a late equalizer after a spectacular save by Ricardo Zamora.

Civil War and Exile

During the following season, 1936-37, national football was suspended because of the Spanish Civil War. However FC Barcelona and other clubs in the Republican area of Spain competed in the Mediterranean League and Escolà, Balmanya and O’Connell helped the club win this title. In 1937 FC Barcelona, including Escolà, Balmanya and O’Connell, went on a fund raising tour to Mexico and the United States. The club played fourteen games and opponents included Club América, CF Atlante, Necaxa and a Mexican XI. In the United States, FC Barcelona played in and won a tournament against a "Brooklyn XI", a "New York XI" and a "Hebrew XI" and then played a USA XI. In financial terms this tour saved the club, but O’Connell returned to Spain with only four players. The remaining players went into exile and Escolà and Balmanya signed for FC Sète in France.

CF Barcelona

After the Spanish Civil War ended in 1939, the Franco regime imposed a six year ban on any exiled sportsmen returning to Spain. However Enrique Piñeyro, the president of CF Barcelona, campaigned in favour of several of the club’s players and Escolà and Balmanya returned from exile in 1941. During their first season back, Barça, with Joan Josep Nogués now as coach, narrowly avoided being relegated after winning a play-off against Real Murcia. Despite this however the club managed to win the Copa del Generalísimo, with Escolà scoring their two opening goals, as they beat Atlético Bilbao 4-3 after extra time.

In 1943 Escolà also played in the controversial Copa del Generalísimo semi-final against Real Madrid. During the first-leg at "Les Corts", which Barça won 3-0, he was severely kicked in the stomach and had to retire from the game. In the return leg they were beaten 11-1 at the "Charmartín". It has been alleged that the Barça players, including Escolà, were pressurised into losing the game by supporters of the Franco regime.

Towards the end of Escolà’s playing career with CF Barcelona, the squad was reinforced with among others, Mariano Martín, Josep Gonzalvo, Marià Gonzalvo, César, Velasco and later, Estanislao Basora and Antoni Ramallets. In his last years with the club, Escolà helped Barça win La Liga twice, under coach Josep Samitier in 1945 and under coach Enrique Fernández in 1948.

International career

Between 1931 and 1948, Escolà also played 10 games and scored twice for the Catalan XI. The first of his two goals was scored in a 2-1 win against Brazil at "Les Corts" on June 17 1934. He also played twice for Spain, both times against Portugal. Both games finished as 2-2 draws and Escolà scored on his debut on January 12 1941. The second game was played on March 11 1945.

Honours

"Player"

FC Barcelona / CF Barcelona

*La Liga Champions: 2
**1945, 1948

*Copa de España / Copa del Generalísimo
** "Winner" 1942: 1
** "Runners-Up" 1936: 1
*Mediterranean League: 1
** 1937

*Campionat de Catalunya: 2
** 1934-35, 1935-36

*Copa de Oro Argentina: 1
** 1945

*New York Tournament: 1
** 1937

"Manager"

Levante UD

*Tercera División
**"Promotion" 1 19xx-xx

ources

* "Barça: A People’s Passion" (1998), Jimmy Burns. [http://www.amazon.com/Barca-Peoples-Passion-Jimmy-Burns/dp/0747545545]

External links

* [http://futbol.sportec.es/seleccion/ficha_jugador.asp?j=187&n=escola/jose/escola/segales Spain stats]
* [http://www.fcbarcelonaonline.com/escola.html Bio at www.fcbarcelonaonline.com]