HUELVA, SPAIN -- Spain's oldest surviving football club say they are facing closure because of financial problems.
Recreativo de Huelva, who play in Spain's third division, called on fans to attend Saturday's game against Granada B, saying it "could be our last match."
The fans responded by lining up to buy tickets at El Nuevo Colombino stadium with more than 20,000 tickets sold, the club said via Twitter: "OFFICIAL: SOLD OUT. We are overcome with emotion by the response from everyone toward Recreativo. Thanks!"
�� OFICIAL: ENTRADAS AGOTADAS. Desbordados por la emoción y por la respuesta de todo el recreativismo. ¡GRACIAS! #RecreGranadaB
- RC.Recreativo Huelva (@recreoficial) March 17, 2016
The club, which was founded in 1889 by Scotsmen Alexander Mackay and Robert Russell, said tickets for the match were €1 ($1.13) each.
Recreativo are reportedly €22m in debt and haven't paid their players this season.
Espectacular respuesta del recreativismo. ¡Gracias de corazón! #LlenemosElColombino #MañanaEsTarde pic.twitter.com/IdALOeQWad
- RC.Recreativo Huelva (@recreoficial) March 17, 2016
During their history, the club have played five seasons in the top Spanish league and their high-points were finishing eighth in the 2006-07 season -- when they beat Real Madrid 3-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium -- and reaching the Copa del Rey final in 2003, losing to Mallorca.
