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Another new project! The Rayo aficionado - an introduction. And a little Getafe banter. (24th July, 2017)

I spent hours coming up with a name. I didn't want it to be the same. I wanted something that rhymes with Rayo. So welcome to my new project, the Rayo aficionado.

Obviously, this project is about interviewing Rayo fans. And obviously, this project is about bringing Rayo fans from around the world together.

But there is much more. Much, much more.

This project is about building this profile of the Rayo fan, capturing local and international similarities and differences in thought.

Not every Rayo fan is the same. Sure, most have something similar to say about Presa. Most love la vida pirata - to be fair, it's a spectacular display of passion. Most have only good things to say about Juande Ramos and Trashorras. And most consume Rayo news from similar sources.

But many topics divide opinion. Paco Jémez, for instance. Or Léo Baptistão. Or the way Rayo uses its youth teams. Or...you get the idea.

So welcome to the Rayo aficionado. I invite you to join me as I ask these questions - and many, many more. Like whether it is important that Rayo wins or Rayo plays well. Or what exactly the media misses out on Rayo. Or all the wonderful stories of the different ways in which people fell in love with the third biggest club in Madrid*. Or thoughts on the season ahead. Or...again, you get the idea.

I hope you enjoy it!


*Yes, I said it. And I have proof - if you search "football clubs in Madrid", this is what comes up:



See? You're not the third biggest. No - you're not even fifth! And if you click on the third link on that webpage, here's what comes up:

"Madrid's three main football teams are Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid and Rayo Vallecano. Getafe is a city in the Madrid Metropolitan area and is therefore also included here."


BOOM.

(Ok, ok, that was for jokes. For real though, if you are a Getafe fan, just stop. Let us have our moment. You're in La Liga. Your board is actually running the club well. Your social media accounts have improved like crazy. Plus you're doing frighteningly good business. It's sickening.)

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