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La perspectiva de Girona - with Ivan Quirós (23rd October, 2017)

Ivan Quirós is a member of the Penya Jandrista GFC, currently the official penya of Girona FC with the most members (250).

You can follow Ivan on Twitter here: @QuirosRuiz, and you can check out the penya on www.penyajandrista.com and on Twitter here: @Losjandristas.

A bit about yourself and your background

Hello, I'm Ivan Quirós, former president and co-founder of Penya Jandrista GFC. I sit in the Gol Sud, in the area below the electronic scoreboard of the stadium, with my friends.

How long have you been a fan of Girona and what made you support them in the first place?

I've been a Girona FC fan since I was very young (6-7 years). In the late 80's-early 90's, I was with my father to see them, when the team was in the Segunda B. I didn't return to the stadium until the 2006-07 season, coinciding with the team's promotion to the Segunda.

I'm a Girona FC fan because it's the team of my city.

Describe your first experience of watching Girona play?

I was a kid but I remember that feeling of authentic football, not the football that I saw on TV. Cold, small field, mud and a very physical football - without knowing the names of the majority of players.

To an outsider - how would you describe Girona's playing style, what it means to be a fan of the club, and what it means to be a player of the club?

The Girona FC's style of play is quite attacking - with 3 center backs, and 2 bands who are very attack-minded and always look for goal. Last season we scored the most goals in the Second Division.

To be a Girona FC fan, means to belong to a family, to a team of a small and humble city. This feeling is what the players of the team must have too - which is very different from other clubs with more pressure, and located in big cities which have historically played more years in the First Division.

Describe the importance and significance of a game against a rival? What do you think would be the key differences between a Girona fan and a fan of those clubs?

The only difference is the feeling for your club. I logically always want my team to win!

There was a time when Girona weren't even in the Segunda. However, it has since "consolidated" itself in the Segunda, and even reached La Liga this season. How would you describe the last few seasons for Girona fans?

The last seasons have been like a dream for all the Girona's fans. We got used to winning almost all the time (the team accumulated 2 and a half years without losing in Montilivi). Ascending to the First Division was like ecstasy in that great dream.

What is your opinion on the utilization of the youth teams? How would you rate the opportunities that youth players get in the first team?

Young teams are important to any humble team as we are. We currently have players from the academy in the first team as Eloi Amagat, Pere Pons and Àlex Granell. The Academy has been boosted in recent years with youth teams in higher divisions in all categories and by ascending players to the second team (CF Peralada) that is now playing in the Segunda B.

List some things you appreciate and some things you can’t stand about the club management.

I appreciate the professionalization of the club in recent years in all the sections and having achieved economic and institutional stability, something that did not happen years ago. But, although the club is still close to its fans, I fear that soon the essence between the club and the city will be lost, along with the familiar and neighborhood atmosphere that we always had. Some decisions that have been taken have not been liked by the fans but I think everything will improve with this professionalism that we are experiencing.

What is the most famous ultra group at Girona? How would you describe them and their political affiliations? What is the feeling of fans of Girona and of other clubs towards them? How would you characterize the Girona board's support to them?

In Girona FC there are no ultra groups. Years ago there was one with fascist ideals but with very few followers that was expelled by the club. Some 4 or 5 years ago there was another apolitical group with few followers and a majority of minor members who was slowly dissolving.

Any other notable ultras or fan groups that are worth mentioning?

No. In Girona we can say that today we dont have ultra groups.

How would you contrast the "Girona fan experience" under the current board?

Girona today is a small and humble team in a giant league. Thanks to the support of the City Football Group we have been able to match things up with the other teams but our aim is and should be permanence in the First Division.

Is there something that the media doesn't (or maybe doesn't want to) talk about Girona that you think is worth mentioning?

The media, with promotion to the First Division and with the purchase of the club by City Football Group, have explained everything about Girona FC. We have now gone from being unknown to being a First Division team and we are much better followed.

Your thoughts on the season ahead?

This season we have to grow as a club. Now we are in the top League. I hope the team will continue to compete as it has done so far and we will fight for staying in the First Division for the next season.

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