Castellanzese

Foundation and early years (1920–1930)

The Association was established in 1921 as an Italian sports club dedicated to cycling, athletics, football, a motorcycle club, and table tennis. It was established by Giuseppe Scandrolio, with support from key collaborators including Ercole Airoldi, Alfredo Gamassi, Umberto Baita, and Pierino Albini. The presence of major international industries in the vicinity played a crucial role in financing these local sporting events. The club selected black and green as its team colors in homage to the renowned Venice football club Venezia FC, giving the club the 'Neroverde' nickname.

From 1920 to 1930, the Union Sportiva Castellanzese organized a variety of sports events for both men and women, including 31 cycling races, 5 walking races, 2 women's athletics and 3 men's athletics competitions, as well as an Italian women's ball and basket championship race.

Among the cyclists who wore the green and black colours for the first time were Giovanni Maggioni, Giulio Rivolta, Giulio Colombo, Silvio Balconi, Carlo Turconi, Alberto Tognola, Angelo Lattuada, Giovanni Vassuri, Alfonso Crippa, Mario Praderio, Enrico Bolis, Carlo Colombo, Giulio Rimoldi, Luigi Stefanazzi, Alfredo Bovet and Enrico Bovet. In ten years these cyclists secured approximately 100 victories and numerous commendable placements in a variety of races.

Alfredo Bovet stood out as a prominent figure, achieving numerous successes such as winning the Milan San Remo in 1932, securing third place overall in the Giro d´Italia and claiming victory in the Tour of Catalonia in Spain. Other notable athletes associated with the Castellanzese included Olmo, Mario Praderio, Giulio Rimoldi, Achille Colombo, Pierino Agnesina, Mario Galimberti, Mario Bassani, and Mario Amorini.

This era marked a distinguished period for the Castellanzese, with its athletes earning approximately 40 cups, plaques, and medallions of moral and intrinsic value. In 1930, the club achieved significant recognition by ranking first overall among Lombard clubs with 18 victories. This was primarily due to the contributions of the renowned trio: Alfredo Bovet, Enrico Bovet, and Mario Praderio.

1930–1970

Between 1932 and 1937, only 24 cycling competitions, one marathon, and an athletics event featuring Olympic athletes were organized by the Castellanzese sports club. A decline in members from 86 in 1932 to 36 by 1937 was due to a loss of reputation, the prelude to World War II, and other factors. Between 1930 and 1940, the historical record remains incomplete, and the names of athletes who achieved success during this period were not registered in the club records.

In 1935, a football team from Castegnate, a locality in Castellanza, emerged as a strong rival for the Neroverde (black-green) team. This team was not enrolled in the F.I.G.C. (in Italian: Federazione Italiana Gioco Calcio) and participated in a separate championship as "LIBERI." The team was financed by Mr. Ferrario, a local wine merchant, and included notable players like Cesare Canavesi, Mario Rabolini, Giulio Selmo, and others. In 1938, they reached the championship final against Fagnano Olona.

1970–present

In 1970, the Unione Sportiva Castellanzese focused solely on registering with FIDAL (The Italian Athletics Federation) due to financial and other constraints. The traditional Castellanzese tennis championships were no longer organized.

In 1975, facing a lack of financial resources, the board of directors made the decision to curtail activities, leading to the non-registration of athletes in cycling, athletics, and tennis.

Ermanno Raimondi was succeeded as club president by Renzo Zambetti, Guenzi and Caputo. Bruno Rango became president in 1992 and served as the USD Castellanzese president until 2003. Rango directed the organization's focus predominantly towards the increasingly popular sport of football and separated it from other sports. Alberto Affeti became president in 2003.

In 2021, the club celebrated its 100th anniversary, and marked the 18th year of Alberto Affeti's presidency over USD Castellanzese.