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Roberto Trashorras, Movilla and Numancia (21st March, 2017)

I wanted to write about something common between Rayo and Numancia. Then I thought about players who had played for both, inspired by yesterday's blog post. So I thought I'd write a little about former passing legends such as Roberto Trashorras, whose story deserves to be heard. 

After eight years at Barcelona and two at Real Madrid, Roberto Trashorras was at a crossroads. He was 24, unemployed and forgotten. Barcelona had picked him up from boyhood club Racing Vilalbés at the age of 14, and his resemblance to Juan Sebastián Verón earned him the nickname la brujita del mini. He had started out as a striker but was converted to a playmaker by Barcelona B coach Quique Costas due to his knack of assisting goals.

However, after just two first team opportunities, and a Jorge Valdano-influenced move to Real Madrid resulted in two dull seasons at Real Madrid Castilla left Roberto in serious doubts. Racing Vilalbés, his boyhood club, would take him back in a heartbeat.

But it was Numancia, in the Segunda, who saved what could have become a forgotten career.

It was in Soria where he showed his ability to dictate games. Even though he played just 12 league games, his quality was clear. It would later result in a move to Las Palmas, where he became an undisputed starter for two seasons, then a move to Celta Vigo, where he became an undisputed starter for three seasons.

In 2011, the move to Rayo followed.

And the rest is history.

The player who he succeeded was José María Movilla, once a bin man and then a union man throughout his playing career. He too was from Real Madrid's youth system. He helped Numancia reach the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey while they were still in the Segunda B, and even helped level the tie against Barcelona with a 89th minute goal (2-2, 5-3 loss on aggregate). He took Málaga from the Segunda B to La Liga in back-to-back seasons. He helped Atlético Madrid return to La Liga, won the Copa del Rey and avoided relegation with Real Zaragoza,

Not to mention a top flight return for Rayo Vallecano.

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