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The Rayo aficionado - with Oscar Salto Acevedo (13th September, 2017)

Oscar has been a lifelong Rayo fan, and is @salto_acevedo on Twitter - give him a follow!

A bit about yourself and your background

My name is Oscar, I am 37 years old. I am married thanks to the promotion - of the last promotion - to La Liga and the celebration that we had. I am the father of two twin girls who do not know who Cristiano, Messi or Griezmann are.

We carry rayismo in our DNA.



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

I have been a fan of Rayo for more than 30 years, specifically since 1984, because of my grandfather's heritage.

Describe your first visit ever to Vallecas and the stadium? How would you describe the fans in the stadium, and how intimidating is the stadium for opposition fans and players?

My first time in the stadium was a long time ago - I think it was against Valencia C.F who at that time competed in the second division. The stadium was a "pass" mark, as the phrase says: this is Vallekas and here you have to suck!!

To an outsider - how would you describe Rayo'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 style of Rayo is to always play attacking football with all its consequences, without looking at the rival.

Being a Rayo fan is more than being just a fan - it is a way of life.

And while all the players look for money, but the Rayo dress - the strip and the stripe - marks them for life.

How would you describe the last few seasons for Rayo fans?

The last few seasons for the Rayistas are like a roller coaster, you are up and then suddenly you are down!

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?

Our youth team is one of the best in Spain, the only thing is that our players fly when our "dear" neighbors knock on the door. I calculated that 15% of players end up playing in the first team, and I include the female teams as well, of course.

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

The board? A real disaster and a very painful esperpento for those who love la franja. Right now I do not know what's going to happen to the club and if I say what I think I'm likely to be arrested.

What are your thoughts on the Bukaneros? How would you describe them and their political affiliations? How would you characterize the board's support to them?

Bukaneros, along with all the fans, are certainly the most active and the main "patrimony" of the club. Not only in football but with all the social commitments of the neighborhood, and outside. Vallekas (and me, of course), is working-class, rebellious and republican.

Now, for some fun:
Any favorite Rayo song/chant?

Mi madre dice que voy por la mala vida, que el Rayo Vallecano es mi perdicción.
Dice que no me meta más en movidas y que me quede en casa por favor.
Lo dijo mi pobre madre y yo no le quise creer,
por eso donde tu juegues allí siempre yo estaré.
Lo dijo mi pobre madre y yo le pido perdón,
sigo animando al Rayo que es mi única pasión.

(Translation: My mother says I'm going for the "bad" life, that Rayo Vallecano is my misdeed.
She tells me not to go there and please stay at home.
My poor mother said it and I did not want to believe her,
So where you play, there always I will be.
My poor mother said it and I apologize,
I continue to encourage Rayo which is my only passion.)

Do you belong to a particular penya? If so, which one?

Always the Bukaneros, although I collaborate with all the peñas that need me and in the past I always have had time for everyone. My group of friends belong to various peñas.

How important is it for you that Rayo wins versus Rayo plays well?

The result is all the same to us - Vallekas is always a party. And that is what fucks with the top spheres of our league.

Best signing Rayo has made? Worst signing Rayo has made?

Best signing: Gaël Kakuta, without doubt the best player I have seen with my eyes at la franja. And of course I do not forget our warrior Natalia Pablos, who is right now playing with the Arsenal Ladies.

The worst: Nikie Bilie. Malisimo.

Favorite player? Favorite manager?

Paco Jémez, no doubt! But also shoutouts to José Ramón Sandoval and Juande Ramos.

What is your favorite thing about Rayo?

The fans. No doubt!

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

All the persecution that Rayistas suffer day after day.

Which websites/newspapers/people do you get your Rayo information from?

Unión Rayo, Pasión por el Rayo, Rayo Total, Matagigantes.net, Vallecasweb, Carlos Sánchez Blas, Raúl granado.....

Your thoughts on the season ahead?

I just hope that first we can throw Raúl Martín Presa out, and second that we can stay in the league without giving up on promotion.

Anything I haven't covered and you'd like me to put in?

Yes, simply refer to us, the Rayistas, and our support. Wherever Rayo plays, there are always Rayistas either at work or passionately supporting the team - whether it be the first team, the youth teams, or the women's teams.


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