Théophile Bardín

Théophile René Bardín Delille (1858 – May 1940) was a French businessman, diplomat, and promoter of the wine industry, football, and culture. He lived most of his life in Alicante, to which he made significant contributions, such as founding a college for Frenchman, serving as the city's honorary consul, financing renowned building, such as houses and the stadium of Hércules CF, the so-called Estadio Bardín, which played a crucial role in establishing Hércules as a top-tier club. For this end, he initially invested in vineyards in La Rioja, but when he recognized the favorable climate and conditions in Alicante, he decided to relocate his thriving wine business to that region in the mid-1890s, acquiring some land in the Alicante orchard to grow grapes.

Thus, on 18 September 1932, Estadio Bardín was inaugurated, with the ribbon of the opening ceremony being cut by the mayor of Alicante and then the 14-year-old Lolita Bardín, dressed in a Hercules shirt, who also took the honorary kick-off of the stadium's first-ever match, a friendly against the great Real Madrid. In the opening ceremony, the Hércules vice-secretary thanked Bardín over the loudspeaker, describing him as the "alma mater" of the club and stating that "the magnificent field that Alicante now has is due to the splendor and selflessness of Don Renato Bardín Delille, who wanted to demonstrate with his actions his love for our city and for sport".

In addition to Hércules, Bardín was also a member and vice-president of Club de Regatas de Alicante, investing significant sums in its development because he was aware that Alicante, a city open to the sea, required a nautical sports club of prestige. In 1911, Alicante and the Regatta Club was visited by the King Alfonso XIII, who was honored with a Night Ball in the main hall, which was opened by the monarch and Charo Mas, the first wife of Bardín, who was also present.

Death and legacy Bardín died in Alicante in May 1940, at the age of 82. In February 2024, the basement of the Alicante Provincial Council held an exhibition titled "René Bardin, Alicante's historical footprint", which showed 39 previously unpublished photographs from the family collection, most of which having been taken by Bardin himself.