Campo Da Avenida: Sunsets and shadows at Sporting Clube de Espinho

Words: Marta Lima

Images: Marta Lima

This story began in 1926, in Espinho, a land of fishermen, a perfect geometric landscape where the streets have no names and are known by their numbers. On one of these streets, on 15th March, the gates of 'Campo da Avenida' were officially opened, on what would become one of the most beloved places amongst locals.

Twelve years earlier, Espinho witnessed the birth of its local club, Sporting Clube de Espinho. The club has been around for over a century and became one of the most important clubs in Portugal, with the 'Tigres da Costa Verde' (Green Coast Tigers), as the Espinho players are known, standing out not only in football, but also in other sports such as volleyball and athletics.

In 2004, the name of the stadium was changed to 'Estádio Comendador Manuel Violas', in honour of an important businessman in the city. Nevertheless, its aura has remained unchanged.

©Marta Lima/ Terrace Edition. Campo Da Avenida.

For many years there were rumours that the stadium would be demolished, and with this came the promise of a new stadium. But this never came to fruition and Sporting Clube de Espinho continued to play at the 'Comendador', an increasingly decaying structure. In 2018, the club had no other option but to hand over the land as it entered into administration.

The last whistle was heard on 20th May 2018, when the inaugural match of 'Campo da Avenida' was repeated. Sporting Clube de Espinho hosted Sport Clube Vianense, a historic Portuguese club and one of the oldest clubs in Portugal, founded in 1898. The Tigers won the game (5-1), but what remained was the city’s farewell to the place where the 'Raça Vareira’ have been felt like nowhere else.

'Campo da Avenida' was the home of Sporting Clube de Espinho for 92 years. Once a club that was in the two major Portuguese leagues, Sporting de Espinho is now forced to play in stadia loaned by nearby clubs.

There is no set date for the opening of the long-promised new stadium. Six years later, Sporting Clube de Espinho and its fans are still waiting.