Eating my words - the rise of Diego Aguirre (21st September, 2017)

A 24-year-old Sevilla graduate from Mairena del Alcor, Jozabed joined second-tier Ponferradina in February 2013, leading his club to just a place off the promotion playoffs. They were behind Las Palmas in the league table, but were level on points, head-to-head points, head-to-head goal difference, head-to-head goals scored and even goal difference; only number of goals scored could separate them. He then joined Real Jaén, where four goals and 12 assists in 36 league matches couldn't prevent relegation to the theoretically amateur third-tier of Spanish football in 2014.

He took the punt and joined Rayo in La Liga. It was a gamble, a huge one, and no one thought about the signing working out. Two years later and with 10 goals and 3 assists not enough to save Rayo Vallecano, Jozabed was on his way to Fulham.

He has since gone to Celta Vigo on loan, and now plays with them permanently.

But why do I bring this up?

In 2014, not many fans could really say that Jozabed was their ideal summer signing. And at the start they were right - he was left out of the first four league match squads and never left the bench in the next two. Until November, he had played in just three league games out of twelve – all from the bench – for a combined total of 83 minutes.

And then, when Jozabed became a regular starter, he was indispensable in midfield. Fans saw the abilities of the all-round player, whose aerial prowess, tactical intelligence and exceptional vision was just as prominent as his ability to intercept passes, procure last ditch tackles and play positive passes towards the opponent's goal. At 5'11" yet weighing just 70 kilograms, he was able to jump higher than players as tall or slightly taller than him, but was also agile enough to get past players on the ball.

The reason I bring this up is because he defied the odds - when it looked like he would be another signing to fill up the numbers he proved us all wrong.

On the 15th of April, this is what I said about Diego Aguirre.

"Diego Aguirre...too, was signed in 2014 after having made waves at Toledo in the third division. The left-back/left-winger has been rarely used at Rayo this season, despite a successful loan stint at Leganés (2014-15). However, a dismal loan spell at Real Oviedo (2015-16), and the performances of Álex Moreno mean that him and Nacho have no place to go.

Not many Rayo fans will care much about Aguirre."

WOW. Funny how things work out right - we certainly care about him now!

Diego Aguirre's career rise has been dizzying. 2009-10 in the fifth tier (Toledo B), 2010-11 in the sixth and fourth tier (Toledo B and Toledo respectively), 2011-12 in the Segunda B (Toledo), 2012-13 in the Tercera (Toledo), 2013-14 in the Segunda B (Toledo), 2014-15 in the Segunda (Rayo, on loan at Leganés).

Yes, that's right, before he made his debut with Toledo in the Tercera in the 2010-11 season, a campaign that ended in promotion, he was playing in the sixth tier of Spanish football.

Diego Aguirre, at Toledo

To be fair, it is his "unleashing" this season from left-back to left-winger - in almost Gareth Bale-esque fashion - that has made the difference. As recently as May Míchel was calling him a potential left-back option.

But even then, it's funny how you can look back and say - what the heck was I thinking?

Side-note: Not that this means anything, but Jozabed, a signing from Real Jaén in the third division, was presented alongside was presented alongside Álex Moreno, a signing from Mallorca in the second division, and Quini, a signing from Real Madrid.

Diego Aguirre was presented alongside Derek Boateng, a player who lasted two months at Rayo before signing for Eibar.

Francisco Pérez Pérez - the actual oldest player to have played in Spain (1st November, 2017)

I've always wanted to ask a football player: how much do you love your club? If you see your club go down, what are you willing to put on the line to see them go back up? The notion that "players will come and players will go, but the fans are the club" is one that is sadly true in what has become a money-filled sport. The story of a player sacrificing money and success for his club? That story is rare. That story is beautiful. This is that story. This is the story of a player who loved his club. His local club. It'll be a long time if and when someone beats his record. Francisco Pérez Pérez, also known as Chico, currently holds the record for being the oldest player to play in the Segunda B - 43 years and 93 days is the figure. That's a figure that second place Diego Rodríguez Fernández (41 years and 324 days) falls short of by a year and 134 days. I should also point out that the top 3 list for oldest players to play in any of the top three tier

When three teams offered a 19-year-old an eight year contract (11th October, 2017)

Just how many players can you name who have the following descrption: He is a striker of great quality, and was a great promise of Spanish football, but his bad luck and some injuries denied him the opportunity to recover - he has never played more than one season in the same team. This is the story of a player - a technically and physically excellent striker - who made mistakes and suffered injuries very young and never really recovered. Born in Santa Eulàlia de Ronçana, Barcelona, Iván Peñaranda started his youth career at Granollers. His real formation, however, was in the lower categories of Barcelona, in which he stayed for seven years (1991-98). Playing alongside Xavi Hernández, Gabri and Carles Puyol. He was considered as one of the young players with a huge future within the club. In the summer of 1998, he angered Barcelona by using "change of residence" as an excuse to sign for Mallorca B (he would move there along with his family), where he would play alongs

Who is Raúl Martín Presa, the Mickey Mouse? Part 1. (20th August, 2017)

José María Ruiz-Mateos was the head and main shareholder of Nueva Rumasa - the company that owned Rayo and other companies - mainly specializing in dairy products. (He wasn't the president of Rayo though - his wife, Teresa Rivero, was Rayo's president). In early 2011, the directors announced a debt of over 700 million euros, that it was on the verge of bankruptcy and that staff wouldn't be paid. And the players were visibly angry about it - captain Míchel assured the press that the club would continue fighting on the pitch, but the day after the announcement was made, six key players didn’t attend training. Veteran midfielder José María Movilla spoke on radio station SER about the situation, about the fact that he had only received seven of the last eighteen months of pay, about the fact that there were a few players who couldn't even afford car repairs. When Rayo Vallecano were about to earn promotion to La Liga despite all the odds - the players not being paid,

The Pride of Vallekas

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