A great day for the Atletico supporters groups

One thing that can always be said and that is that Atletico Madrid has the best fans in the world. Once again, Atletico fans have shown their unconditional support for their team. On Sunday October 30th Atletico held the traditional 'Day of the Supporters Groups' in a ceremony that began at 12:00 at Cerro del Espino Majadahonda.   The event was chaired by Enrique Cerezo, President. With him came Lazarus Albarracín (Social Area Vice President), Miguel Perez (Shareholder), Luiz Pereira (Honorary President of Atletico Madrid B), Adelard (Chairman of the Veterans Club), Jose Luis Perez Caminero (Sporting Director) and Carlos Aguilera (Academy Director).    Albarracín Lazarus is one of the best known figures in the supporters groups. He as Vice President of the Social Area is personally responsible for ensuring the unity and the development of these groups, and it is common to see him in the celebration of the anniversaries of the groups.
  The President thanked all present for their unconditional support: 'Today we celebrate the traditional Day of the Supporters Groups, a day that Atletico de Madrid dedicated to publicly thank and acknowledge the love and support they provide us each day. This year's celebration is also dedicated to supporting our young players. They play an important role within the organisation and are the future of this club. '   'There are now 700 officially formed groups that are scattered throughout Spain, and 31 of them abroad. Whenever I visited a supporters group, I can see the love you feel for Atletico Madrid. It's amazing to see the joy, passion and enthusiasm that you bring to the games. I could feel the pride with which the colors red and white decorate your towns and cities,' admitted the president.   Enrique Cerezo wanted to highlight the effort of each group to 'take it forward and keep it alive. I'm sure many of you devote much of your personal time to organise activities of the supporters group. Therefore, we thank you wholeheartedly. Thank you for the hundreds of miles every time you travel to the Vicente Calderon or whenever you go away to other stadiums and especially thanks for the joy with which you support us every Sunday.'     More than 400 groups from all regions attended. Some of them walked many miles to encourage Atletico due to the large distance between their locations in the Midwest. Special mentions go to the supporters groups from: Jaén, Cáceres, Segovia, Ourense, La Rioja, Santa Cruz De Tenerife, Ciudad Real, Zaragoza, Avila, Cuenca, Valencia, Granada, Badajoz, Alicante, Barcelona, Córdoba, Asturias, Malaga, Murcia, Soria, Burgos, Almeria, Cadiz, Salamanca, Gerona, Albacete, Toledo, Alicante, Valencia,  Burgos, Leon, and Asturias.   Anniversaries of supporters groups: 50th anniversary: Peña Atlética Talavera de la Reina (Toledo). 50th anniversary: Peña Atlética Torrevieja (Alicante). 25th anniversary: Peña Atlética Puenteña (Toledo). 25th anniversary: Peña Atlética 18 Villas (Ciudad Real). 25th anniversary: Peña Atlética Tres Cantos (Madrid). 25th anniversary: Peña Atlética Quintanense (Badajoz). 25th anniversary: Peña Atlética Candeledana (Ávila).   The follwoing 9 Supporters groups were created this year:  1- Peña Atlética Novesana (Toledo). 2- Peña Atlética Arroyana 12 de Mayo (Cáceres). 3- Peña Atlética Las Rosas (Madrid). 4- Peña Atlética Benaventana Atlético Aviación (Zamora). 5- Peña Atlética Formosa (Taiwan). 6- Peña Atlética New York (New York). 7- Peña Atlética Gasca Bucuresti (Rumania). 8- Peña Atlética Arroyomolinos de la Vera (Cáceres). 9- Peña Atlética Atléticos sin barreras (Madrid).