It was a rainy day, one of many in this city of magical features and breathtaking views. In the heart of the old towne, in a room at number 28 of piazza San Michele, close to the apse of one of the city's main and most beautiful churches, football born in Lucca on 5 May 1905. It was about two emigrants from Lucca abroad, two among the many that this land has scattered to all corners of the world, who founded the Lucca Football Club: their names were Felice and Vittorio Menesini, and they had recently returned from Brazil with a leather ball in their suitcase and a great desire to give life to a story that would go far beyond their personal existence. Along with them, among the founders portrayed in a photo with their glasses raised as a sign of good wishes for the new adventure, there is Ernesto Matteucci, who has also had just returned to his homeland. 
They will choose the red and black colours, as a tribute to the Milan football team that was already being admired at the time.

Since 2023, a plaque has been fixed by Lucca Municipality to the façade of the building that housed the club's birth, to commemorate the event forever. The first president is Lavoratorini, who will also be the very first captain.

The headquarters is a stable owned by one of the Menesini brothers, the playing field has changed several times, but the first kicks would be given near Porta Elisa: an evident destiny, since the stadium that still hosts the “RossoNeri” would later be built near that city gate in the 1930s. 

At the turn of the century, after the meadows of Porta Elisa and some matches in Piazzale Verdi in the city centre, they move to Piazza d'Armi, near the current Campo di Marte hospital, but some matches are also played at the Balilla field, right under the City Walls. The start-up years passed between some friendly matches, then in 1907 came the participation in the first First Division championship. 
Among the players, Jack Battaglini, who will captain the “RossoNeri” for ten years and become one of the best-known figures of that pioneering era, immediately came to the fore.