Quilmes was founded on April 12, 1922, by a group of young people who used to play football in some of the many unoccupied lands that existed in Mar del Plata in those times. They want to participate in competitions organised by "Asociación Marplatense de Foot-Ball" so they founded a club with the purpose of registering to the Association.[1]
Born as a football club, Quilmes adopted the colors worn by River Plate in the 1920s
At the beginning those boys did not have a physical place for their meetings and because of that the Club Ferroviario (founded and integrated by employees of the Buenos Aires Great Southern Railway ("Ferrocarril Sud" in Spanish) allowed them to use their buildings. The raising club also was helped by people from the neighbourhood, who made their contributions. Furthermore, the most important donation was given by the legal representatives of beer company Quilmes in Mar del Plata, José Deyaccobi, who donated the club a set of uniform jerseys, which were equal to River Plate kit. That was the origin of the name and colours of the club.
Quilmes' first President was Eugenio Moure, who also composed the official anthem of the club along with the musicians Luis Duhalde and Francisco Mafia.[2]
A Quilmes squad of 1925, posing in Plaza España venue
Like most of Argentine clubs, football was the first sport practised in Quilmes, which is considered a pioneer in the city. Moreover, Quilmes' stadium was the frequent host of all the matches played in Mar del Plata.[3] At the beginning, Quilmes' headquarters were located on 25 de Mayo streets. A basketball court would be added later.[4] The basketball section was added in the 1930s, winning its first title in 1947.[1]
The first football venue was built where Moreno Park is located nowadays. In that venue Quilmes played a friendly match v. Santos FC with Pelé as an outstanding host of the city, in the 1960s.[5] The football squad also took part in the 1970 Copa Argentina, being eliminated by Argentinos Juniors (1–4 on aggregate).[6]
In 1983, Quilmes played the "Torneo Regional", after qualifying in a group with Alvarado, Peñarol and C.D. Nicanor Otamendi, but the team was eliminated in first round. The last Quilmes' participation was in the 1996–97 Torneo Argentino B. After qualifying for the second stage, Quilmes was finally eliminated by Sporting (Punta Alta) and Empleados de Comercio (Bolívar).[7]
Basketball
In 1944, Quilmes affiliated to "Asociación Marplatense de Básquetbol", entering to the second division. The club won the championship that same season, therefore promoting to the first level, "Primera División". In 1947 Quilmes won its first title at the top level of "Marplatense" basketball. The team has won that championship a total of 23 times to date.
In 1987 Quilmes participated in their first national competition, the LNB "C" (third division), where the squad defeated Regatas (San Nicolás) crowning champion and promoting to "Liga Nacional B". After several years playing in that division, Quilmes won the 1990–91 title, promoting to the LNB "A" after defeating Pico Fútbol Club by 101–91. Coached by Oscar Sánchez, the players that took part of the team were Sebastián Ginóbili, Eduardo Dominé, Leandro Ginóbili, Alejandro Alegretti, Fabián Crivaro, Adolfo Perazzo, Michael Wilson, Mario Romay, Javier Bianchini, Juan Pablo Vignolo, Santiago Cuñado and Adrián Martínez.[8]
Quilmes debuted in the LNB in September 1991 v. arch-rival Peñarol, winning the game by 72–69.[8]
