Editing Cruz Azul (section)

===1927–1961: Early years and amateur success ===
[[File:Carlos Garcés López.jpg|thumb|upright=.7|right|[[Carlos Garces (athlete)|Carlos Garcés López]], key figure in Cruz Azul's early connection to football during the 1920s.]]
Cruz Azul was founded in the late 1920s in Jasso, Hidalgo, where cement company [[Cooperativa La Cruz Azul, S.C.L.]] fostered a connection with football. At the time, football in Mexico was not a professionalized or lucrative activity, and many athletes worked full-time jobs alongside their sporting pursuits. [[Carlos Garces (athlete)|Carlos Garces López]], a [[Association football|footballer]], [[Sport of athletics|athlete]] and [[dentist]], employed by the cooperative, had previously played for [[Club América|América]] and was part of [[Mexico national football team|Mexico's national team]] in its first official matches in 1923,<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.excelsior.com.mx/adrenalina/hace-95-anos-se-estreno-el-tricolor/1283646|title = Hace 95 años se estrenó el Tricolor| work=Excélsior |date = 9 December 2018|access-date = 23 June 2021|archive-date = 24 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210624210523/https://www.excelsior.com.mx/adrenalina/hace-95-anos-se-estreno-el-tricolor/1283646|url-status = live | last1=Aldana | first1=Omar Flores }}</ref> as well as in the [[Football at the 1928 Summer Olympics – Men's team squads#Mexico|1928 Olympic squad]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/mex-intres2039.html|title=Mexico - International Results Details 1920-1939|website=[[RSSSF]]|access-date=2023-02-02|archive-date=2022-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220721202734/https://www.rsssf.org/tablesm/mex-intres2039.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto10">{{cite web|url=https://www.mediotiempo.com/opinion/carlos-calderon/columna-carlos-calderon/america-cruz-azul-carlos-garces-anecdota-compartida|title=América y Cruz Azul. Carlos Garcés: Una anécdota compartida|work=Mediotiempo |access-date=2021-06-23|archive-date=2021-06-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624210457/https://www.mediotiempo.com/opinion/carlos-calderon/columna-carlos-calderon/america-cruz-azul-carlos-garces-anecdota-compartida|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/26541|title=Olympedia – Carlos Garcés|access-date=2021-06-23|archive-date=2021-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625022307/https://www.olympedia.org/athletes/26541|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1925, the cooperative initially planned to form a [[baseball]] team, reflecting the sport's popularity in the area.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.milenio.com/futbol/club-cruz-azul/cruz-azul-equipo-originalmente-beisbol-transformo|title=Cruz Azul, el equipo que originalmente era de beisbol y se transformó|date=22 May 2020|access-date=24 June 2021|archive-date=24 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624212245/https://www.milenio.com/futbol/club-cruz-azul/cruz-azul-equipo-originalmente-beisbol-transformo|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Garces López advocated for [[Association football|football]] to become the company's official sport. After sustained lobbying, the cooperative held a referendum on 22 March 1927, in which football was selected.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com/noticias/Cual-es-la-fecha-correcta-de-la-fundacion-de-Cruz-Azul-20190522-0001.html|title = ¿Cuál es la fecha correcta de la fundación de Cruz Azul?| date=22 May 2019 }}</ref> A football pitch replaced the baseball diamond, and the team was formally established two months later on 22 May 1927, with Garces López as its first manager.<ref name="auto10"/> For the following decades, Cruz Azul competed in regional tournaments, composed exclusively of company workers. The club achieved notable success in amateur competitions during the 1930s and 1940s.

In 1931, the cooperative faced financial difficulties during the [[Great Depression]]. Due to the loss of demand and production of cement and other construction materials, the company faced bankruptcy and was acquired by cement company ''La Tolteca'' on 1 March 1931, for 1 million [[Mexican peso|pesos]]. However, the liquidation of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul was anticipated by 192 workers of the company who unionized and sued the executives of the company to prevent the transfer of the property which was set for 15 October 1931.<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url = https://isranosoychema.com/2021/01/11/historia-del-cruz-azul/|title = Historia del Cruz Azul|date = 11 January 2021|access-date = 25 June 2021|archive-date = 25 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210625004637/https://isranosoychema.com/2021/01/11/historia-del-cruz-azul/|url-status = dead}}</ref> The government of Hidalgo ruled in favor of the workers after it was shown ''La Tolteca'' had premeditated intentions of liquidation. The workers assumed control of the industrial facilities on 2 November. On 21 May 1932, the governor of Hidalgo, Bartolomé Vargas Lugo, decreed the 192 workers of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul as collective owners of the plant, exercising [[eminent domain]]. Part of the agreement, all 192 workers who assumed responsibility of the plant agreed to pay the state of Hidalgo 1.3 million pesos over the course of 10 years. The company changed its name to ''Cooperativa Manufacturera de Cemento Portland La Cruz Azul, S.C.L.'', reestablishing itself as a [[cooperative]] on 29 January 1934.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.profmex.org/mexicoandtheworld/volume10/4fall05/La%20Cruz%20Azul.html|title=PROFMEX-Consorcio Mundial para la Investigación sobre México|access-date=2021-06-25|archive-date=2021-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625004637/http://www.profmex.org/mexicoandtheworld/volume10/4fall05/La%20Cruz%20Azul.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The debt was settled on 2 November 1941, 10 years after workers took ownership of the plant. In celebration, Cruz Azul organized a match against [[Real Club España|Real España]], that ended in a 0–0 draw.<ref name="auto8">{{cite web|url = https://lopezdoriga.com/deportes/el-ultimo-testigo-de-la-fundacion-de-cruz-azul/|title = El último testigo de la fundación de Cruz Azul|date = 4 December 2015|access-date = 25 June 2021|archive-date = 25 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210625004636/https://lopezdoriga.com/deportes/el-ultimo-testigo-de-la-fundacion-de-cruz-azul/|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="auto11">{{cite web|url=https://realestatemarket.com.mx/articulos/materiales-de-la-industria/12882-cooperativa-la-cruz-azul-s-c-l|title=Cooperativa La Cruz Azul, S.C.L.|website=Real Estate Market & Lifestyle|access-date=2021-06-25|archive-date=2021-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625004638/https://realestatemarket.com.mx/articulos/materiales-de-la-industria/12882-cooperativa-la-cruz-azul-s-c-l|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tudn.com/futbol/liga-mx/cruz-azul-y-sus-90-anos|title = Cruz Azul y sus 90 años}}</ref> This scenario of the club's formation encourages its working-class facade.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thesefootballtimes.co/2015/11/04/a-tale-of-one-city-mexico-city/|title=A Tale of One City: Mexico City|date=4 November 2015}}</ref><ref name="Archibold">{{cite news|author=Archibold, Randal C.|date=25 October 2013|title=Mexican Writer Mines the Soccer Field for Metaphors|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/26/world/americas/mexican-writer-mines-the-soccer-field-for-metaphors.html?_r=0:|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=25 June 2021|archive-date=20 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150220093542/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/26/world/americas/mexican-writer-mines-the-soccer-field-for-metaphors.html?_r=0:|url-status=live}}</ref>

Between 1932 to 1943, Cruz Azul won 15 consecutive league titles in a local amateur league in the state of [[Hidalgo (state)|Hidalgo]] and on eight different occasions, the club represented the state of Hidalgo in national amateur tournaments. From the mid-1930s to the late 1940s, the club regularly traveled to [[Mexico City]] to face the reserve teams of [[Atlante F.C.|Atlante]], [[Necaxa]], [[C.D. Marte|Marte]], and [[Real Club España|Real España]], playing at [[Parque Necaxa]] to great success.<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.record.com.mx/futbol-futbol-nacional-liga-mx-cruz-azul/cruz-azul-un-equipo-que-nacio-para-brillar|title = Cruz Azul, un equipo que nació para brillar|date = 14 May 2017|access-date = 23 June 2021|archive-date = 24 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210624204209/https://www.record.com.mx/futbol-futbol-nacional-liga-mx-cruz-azul/cruz-azul-un-equipo-que-nacio-para-brillar|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="auto9">{{cite web|url=http://cruz-azul-y-la-charla-por-el-titulo.html/|title=Cruz Azul y la charla por el título|first=Shorthand-Edgar|last=Rivas|website=Shorthand}}{{Dead link|date=March 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> By 1937, Cruz Azul had garnered a considerable following both in Hidalgo and Mexico City.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infodeportes.com/futbol/equipo/cruzazul|title=Cruz Azul|access-date=2021-06-25|archive-date=2021-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625004637/http://www.infodeportes.com/futbol/equipo/cruzazul|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/cruz-azul.html|title=Así nació el Club Deportivo Cruz Azul, "La Maquina Cementera"|date=31 May 2021|access-date=25 June 2021|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625004637/https://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/cruz-azul.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto9"/> During this period, [[Guillermo Álvarez Macías]] began playing as a [[midfield]]er for the team.<ref name="auto2">{{cite web|url=https://vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com/noticias/Cruz-Azul-94-anos-La-historia-del-equipo-que-nacio-grande-en-Jasso--Origen--Ascenso--Titulos--Liga-MX-20210522-0001.html|title = Es la historia de un amor como no hay otra igual: Cruz Azul cumple 94 años de gloria y grandeza| date=22 May 2021 }}</ref>

On 10 December 1953, [[Guillermo Álvarez Macías|Álvarez Macías]], who had been employed by the cooperative since childhood, was appointed general manager of Cooperativa La Cruz Azul. Initially employed as an automotive mechanic, Álvarez Macías spent over two decades at the company, rising through the ranks.<ref name="auto3">{{cite web|url=https://docplayer.es/14480631-Guillermo-alvarez-macias.html|title = Guillermo Álvarez Macías - PDF Descargar libre}}</ref> A self-proclaimed [[socialist]], Álvarez Macías laid plans to transform the cooperative into a functioning town, in hope to modernize and "share social and economic progress, to raise the standard of living of the worker and his family."<ref>{{cite web|url = https://apuntesderabona.com/cruz-azul-democracia-corinthiana/|title = Cooperativa la Cruz Azul y la Democracia Corinthiana|date = 22 August 2019|access-date = 9 June 2021|archive-date = 9 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210609083937/https://apuntesderabona.com/cruz-azul-democracia-corinthiana/|url-status = live}}</ref> In his goal to promote social well-being among members of the cooperative, Álvarez Macías invested into cultural and recreational activities.<ref name="auto3"/> This included investing much more into the football club whose proceeds were used to provide the worker-players with better living conditions.<ref name="auto2"/>

In 1958, club [[Captain (sport)|captain]] and machinist Luis Velázquez Hernández, served as the club's ambassador to the [[Mexican Football Federation]] to lobby for official membership on the club's behalf.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/es-mx/deportes/futbol/fallece-luis-vel%C3%A1zquez-%C3%BAltimo-testigo-del-nacimiento-profesional-de-cruz-azul/ar-BB18RYHt|title=Fallece Luis Velázquez, último testigo del nacimiento profesional de Cruz Azul|website=www.msn.com|access-date=2021-06-25|archive-date=2021-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625105126/https://www.msn.com/es-mx/deportes/futbol/fallece-luis-vel%C3%A1zquez-%C3%BAltimo-testigo-del-nacimiento-profesional-de-cruz-azul/ar-BB18RYHt|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://juanfutbol.com/articulo/cperez/fallece-luis-velazquez-ultimo-testigo-del-nacimiento-profesional-de-cruz-azul|title=Fallece Luis Velázquez, último testigo del nacimiento profesional de Cruz Azul|date=9 September 2020|access-date=25 June 2021|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625105128/https://juanfutbol.com/articulo/cperez/fallece-luis-velazquez-ultimo-testigo-del-nacimiento-profesional-de-cruz-azul|url-status=live}}</ref> Velázquez Hernández met Paulino Sánchez in [[Mexico City]], who had ties to prominent football executives. They met with [[Joaquín Soria Terrazas]] and [[Ignacio Trelles]] to discuss membership in the federation for the club.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com/noticias/Cruz-Azul-Muere-Luis-Velazquez-El-Toro-el-hombre-que-llevo-al-equipo-al-profesionalismo-20200909-0004.html|title=Murió el hombre que cambió la historia: Luis Velázquez 'El Toro', quien llevó a Cruz Azul al profesionalismo|date=10 September 2020|access-date=9 June 2021|archive-date=9 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609083937/https://vamoscruzazul.bolavip.com/noticias/Cruz-Azul-Muere-Luis-Velazquez-El-Toro-el-hombre-que-llevo-al-equipo-al-profesionalismo-20200909-0004.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Sánchez vouched in favor of Cruz Azul, citing their continual success in the amateur and reserve tournaments. Much to the displeasure of Álvarez Macías who asserted the club was not ready for professional football.<ref name="auto8" /><ref name="auto6">{{cite web|url=https://elsiglo.mx/noticia/1744416.recuerdos-del-ayer.html|title=Recuerdos del ayer|access-date=2021-06-25|archive-date=2021-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625054334/https://elsiglo.mx/noticia/1744416.recuerdos-del-ayer.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In preparation for federation membership, Paulino Sánchez assumed the position as head manager of the club. Due to regulations, teams were required to have a [[reserve team]]. ''Lafayette'', a club experiencing financial troubles located in Colonia Moctezuma, was purchased by Cruz Azul to serve as its reserve side and the acquisition was completed in 1960.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lopezdoriga.com/deportes/la-fusion-de-equipos-que-origino-a-cruz-azul/|title=La fusión de equipos que originó a Cruz Azul|date=28 November 2015|access-date=25 June 2021|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625105128/https://lopezdoriga.com/deportes/la-fusion-de-equipos-que-origino-a-cruz-azul/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/liga-mx/el-hombre-que-no-ascendio-con-cruz-azul-pero-siempre-estuvo-ahi|title=El hombre que no ascendió con Cruz Azul pero siempre estuvo ahí|work=Mediotiempo |date=19 April 2018|access-date=25 June 2021|archive-date=25 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210625105127/https://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/liga-mx/el-hombre-que-no-ascendio-con-cruz-azul-pero-siempre-estuvo-ahi|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="auto5">{{cite web|url = https://elguapodelfutbol.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/cruz-azul-el-camino-a-segunda-division/|title = Cruz Azul: El camino a Segunda División|date = 17 January 2014|access-date = 25 June 2021|archive-date = 25 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210625105128/https://elguapodelfutbol.wordpress.com/2014/01/17/cruz-azul-el-camino-a-segunda-division/|url-status = live}}</ref> Plans to construct a club stadium that complied to the standards set by the Mexican Football Federation were conceived in 1960,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fmf.com.mx/cruz_azul.htm|title=Cruz Azul|website=www.fmf.com.mx}}</ref> and with construction beginning in 1961, [[Estadio 10 de Diciembre]] was completed in 1963.<ref name="auto4">{{cite web|url=https://www.cruzazulfc.com.mx/sedes/estadio-10-de-diciembre/#1550080188511-7d462c51-9629|title=Estadio 10 de Diciembre Primer Estadio de Cruz Azul|access-date=2021-06-25|archive-date=2020-06-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625083427/https://www.cruzazulfc.com.mx/sedes/estadio-10-de-diciembre/#1550080188511-7d462c51-9629|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cruzazul.com.mx/2008/lacruzazul/1953reestructuracionSocioeconomica.aspx|title=CA - Nuestras Raíces - 1953 Reestructuración Socioeconómica|date=January 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130040244/http://www.cruzazul.com.mx/2008/lacruzazul/1953reestructuracionSocioeconomica.aspx|archive-date=2016-01-30}}</ref>

Despite not possessing federation membership, the club was invited to compete in the 1960[[1961–62 Mexican Segunda División season|–]]61 edition of the ''Copa de la Segunda División de México'', a competition sanctioned by the Mexican Football Federation. The club's debut game was played on 2 April 1961, in Jasso against [[Real Zamora|Zamora]], and ended in a 2–1 victory. The second-leg, played on 9 April, resulted in a 3–3 draw. After advancing past [[Querétaro F.C.|Querétaro]], winning the tie 1–0 on aggregate and being eliminated by [[Club Universidad Nacional|Pumas UNAM]], the team's performance prompted the Mexican Football Federation to grant Cruz Azul official registration as a professional club.<ref name="auto5" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/liga-mx/cruz-azul-festejar-aniversario-94-pase-octava-torneos-cortos|title=Cruz Azul quiere festejar aniversario 94 con el pase a su octava Final|work=Mediotiempo |date=22 May 2021|access-date=9 June 2021|archive-date=9 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210609213751/https://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/liga-mx/cruz-azul-festejar-aniversario-94-pase-octava-torneos-cortos|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://elguapodelfutbol.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/cruz-azul-los-origenes/|title = Cruz Azul: Los orígenes|date = 10 January 2014|access-date = 25 June 2021|archive-date = 25 June 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210625105127/https://elguapodelfutbol.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/cruz-azul-los-origenes/|url-status = live}}</ref>