Ernest Witty

Background

Witty was the son of Frederick Witty, a British entrepreneur, who settled in Barcelona.

Career

He was also a successful trader and his family company, the Witty Group, continues to operate today. He is the younger brother of Arthur Witty. Frederick, who belonged to a Yorkshire family, initially intended to emigrate to Argentina but was persuaded to go to Spain by friends.

In 1873 he founded his own shipping agency under the name of F. Witty, subsequently establishing business links between Spain and the United Kingdom.

On their return to Barcelona the two brothers joined their father’s company which now became known as Witty Sociedad Anonima, Witty South America Ernest and Arthur returned to Spain with a love of sports. Unable to play rugby union due to a lack of suitable pitches, the Wittys began to organise football games between company teams made up of employees.

Ernest played tennis with, among others, Joan Gamper, and when Gamper founded in October 1899, the Witty brothers quickly became involved. They used their company to imports regulation balls, referees whistles, and nets from England.

Legend also has it that the Witty brothers also imported the legendary club colours, the blaugrana, from the original colours used by Merchant Taylors" rugby team

However, Football Club Basel and other Swiss clubs that Gamper played for and his home canton of Zurich have all been credited and/or claimed to be the inspiration. Catalan Champions: 1 1904-1905.

Achievements

• Football player.

Membership

In 1899, Ernest also became a founding member of the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona.