Between yesterday and today of Ferro, four decades seem like centuries apart. That of those ’80s, with two runners-up and two champions in five years. That of this 21st century, which has spent 22 years between the First National B (now the First National) and the First B, already in the third category. The one with the memory of unforgettable names under the command of Carlos Timoteo Griguol. That of judicial intervention and full-blown rebirth. And although it may seem like an eternity, 40 years ago, on June 27, 1982, they were crowned champions for the first time in their history, after beating Quilmes 2-0 in the second final of the National Tournament, after the 0-0 in Going..

“The dream came true. After caressing the championship twice in a row, yesterday Caballito was trapped for the title. The great candidate did not miss the appointment. From start to finish he felt like a champion and gradually climbed all the steps, ready to lead to that party that broke out a few minutes before Teodoro Nitti suspended the game ”, begins the chronicle written by Miguel Angel Vicente in Clarín.

The old national tournaments were played between 1967 and 1985. Independiente was the first champion and Argentinos, the last. Until 1981 he fought first the Metropolitano, then the National. But in 1982, for the World Cup in Spain, it was decided to rotate the tournaments, as the national team lasted less. 32 teams participated, divided into four zones of eight teams each. The first two passed to the round of 16. San Lorenzo did not play because they were relegated to B.

None of the players who were working with César Luis Menotti in the preview of the World Cup 82 participated. Although most had already been sold abroad, Diego Maradona, Daniel Passarella, Ramón Díaz, Juan Barbas, Daniel Bertoni, Gabriel Calderón, Enzo Trossero, Ubaldo Fillol, among others, did not play in that semester. While Argentina defended the world title in Spain, Ferro was doing the Olympic lap on a Caballito.

“Perhaps for many the history of Iron deserves to be divided into two phases. One, between its foundation and the mid-1960s. Another, from then until today. Because when a group of young executives – including Santiago Leyden – took over the club, Ferro began its take-off by forming teams, winning titles and garnering respect for running its economy, balance in dealing with all sport and the honesty of his men ”, wrote Alejandro Fabbri, also the other day in Clarín. Forty years later, we should divide the club’s history into three phases.

Ferro joined Zone B along with Unión de Santa Fe, Estudiantes de Santiago del Estero, San Lorenzo de Mar del Plata, Vélez, Argentinos, Independiente, Concepción de Tucumán and Unión San Vicente de Córdoba. They won the first six games, then they drew three in a row and then they won the last seven. He was the first of the group and was seconded from Unión. In the quarter-finals they eliminated Independiente Rivadavia de Mendoza (1-0 and 0-0) and in the semifinals Talleres in two great games (4-0 and 4-4). He is one of the few undefeated champions in the history of Argentine football.

“This is the consequence of a long work. Of a great effort made by the entire campus. And also with the effort of the managers, who in no time dismembered the team and even offered me to buy reinforcements, which I did not accept, “said Carlos Griguol after the consecration and added:” The players and the coaching staff they want more. If we intend to ask for more, it is logical that they too expect more from us, which is why I think the team can still grow ”.

On June 27, 1982, he was crowned unbeaten champion by beating Quilmes 2-0, with goals from Miguel Angel Juárez and Juan Domingo Antonio Rocchia. In the first leg, in the South, they drew 0-0. The day he achieved glory, Timothy’s team was formed with Eduardo Basigalup; Roberto Gomez, Héctor Cuper, Rocchia, Oscar Garré; Carlos Arregui, Geronimo Saccardi, Adolfino Cañete; Claudio Crocco, Alberto Márcico and Juárez. There were no changes and José Tursi, Silvio Sotelo, Jorge Brandoni, Julio César Jiménez and Luis Andreuchi remained on the bench. Oscar Acosta, Carlos Barisio, Esteban González, Rafael Herrera and Juan Lamolla also played during the tournament. They went to the bank and Víctor Marchesini and Mario Tarzia did not enter.

“This title is the result of coherent work, of intelligent planning, which has received a worthy response from the squad. I felt like a champion since the beginning of the year and I didn’t say it out of humility. But we had a great team, which went from minor to major. In addition, the squad has acquired maturity, compared to last year ”, expressed Juan Domingo Rocchia after the Olympic lap.

Ferro has played 16 games, 13 wins, 3 draws, 39 goals and only 9 conceded. Two years later, against River, he was again crowned national champion. On July 17, 2000 they played their last game in the First Division. He recently returned to play against Boca for the Argentine Cup and awakened memories, like this one, of those happy days.