David Arellano, the first...

David Arellano is the name of one of the founders of the Colo Colo club. One of the most important names in Chile's football history.

Club Social y Deportivo Colo-Colo was founded on 19 April 1925 after Chilean international David Arellano and a group of players decided to sever ties with Club Magallanes, having fallen out with some of the older members.

Differing ideas on the state of the professional game in Chile was one of the main reasons as was the policy of starting the 'elder' or more 'experienced' players in a form of hierarchial selection. This might explain why Club Magallanes is now playing in the third division of Chilean football (and are now non-professional). A true disaster for one of Chile's oldest clubs!

David was a school teacher by day and keen football enthusiast any time thereafter (one could argue that his love for the game was everlasting). He was a pure gentleman on and off the football pitch and his influence was felt throughout South American football. Colo Colo was one of the first teams to present visiting sides with arrangements of flowers and other items (a tradition that now is the norm in international football with pennant exchanges).

David also keenly instilled a pride, tradition and code of conduct for players that enabled them to not only garner respect from all teams, but also give respect to opposing players and match officials. This was during an unruly time of frequent pitch invasions and scuffles between players, fans and officials!

Colo Colo's reputation in the late 1920's enabled them to tour Europe in a very successful, yet extremely tragic period for the club.

Success on the pitch was overshadowed by the death of the figurehead of the club. David Arellano died on the 3rd of May 1927 after recieving an accidental knee to the stomach and chest area during a match with Spanish side Valladolid.

His influence and some say spirit can be still felt today as Colo Colo have immortalised his memory by having a permanent black band above the emblem as a mark of respect for the great man and his legacy.