The histories of these last 2 clubs are inexorably linked:
Ángel Rodríguez Ruiz, founder of Sociedad Española de Football
Sociedad Española de Football was founded by University students in Barcelona in 1900. It is said to have been the first Spanish club for Spanish players, independent of the input of foreign settlers. In 1901 the name was changed to Club Español de Fútbol.In 1902-03 they won the Copa Macaya . They travelled to Madrid to play in the 1903 Copa del Rey but were beaten by Madrid (1-4) and Athletic Bilbao (0-4) . In 1903-04 they won the Catalunya championship.
In 1906 Club Español de Fútbol disbanded when a number of student-players had to leave Barcelona.
The following season Foot ball Club X were champions of Catalunya again, following drama and controversy in the final game of the season. In the match between X and Barcelona the referee added on a considerable amount of time. During this added time Barcelona scored from a penalty, making the score 3-3. However, after the game the referee reconsidered his actions in adding on the time, and declared that the penalty should never have been. X were awarded a 3-2 win. However, X, in the person of their captain Miquel Gibert Pujol, offered Barcelona a replay, which X won 3-1.
In 1907-1908 the club completed a hat trick of championships. They were now known as X Sporting Club.
In December 1908 a number of the former Espanyol players who had left Barcelona in 1906 returned to the city. This effectively led to the revival of Espanyol at the expense of X Sporting Club, who ceased to exist.
Renamed as Club Deportiu Espanyol, the club won the Catalunya championship in 1911-1912.
