SPECIAL pt. 2 of 2 - 'Born and bred' - Athletic Bilbao - The club where summer never ends

In football, much is often made of the Lisbon Lions – a Celtic side that conquered Europe in 1967, with a team in which the majority of the starting eleven were born within a mere 12 miles of their Parkhead ground (the exception being Bobby Lennox, who was from Saltcoats, 30 miles from Glasgow). Yet decades after the Glasgow side had long embraced the contributions of national and international talent, one European side holds true to a strict policy of regional recruitment – Athletic Club of Bilbao.In this, the second episode of a two-part special, Chris and Nathan continue to explore the pros and cons of a Cantera recruitment policy. After expressing a somewhat critical take on Yorkshire County Cricket Club’s attempt to select local talent in the 70s and 80s, the presenters consider why Bilbao tend to be lauded for continuing a similar approach to the one abandoned by Yorkshire decades ago.This is a story of the Basque Country; with a narrative that begins in prehistory, centred around a language different to any other on the same continent. It winds its way through Medieval times, before concluding with such influential twentieth century figures as Franco and Picasso. We hope you enjoy this journey into the unique identity of a very special football club, one that markets itself as 'Unique In The World'.  This episode of TWWSS, TWWSL explores what makes Athletic and their approach so special and to consider what it tells us about globalisation and identity in the modern world.