The Pride of Vallekas

Chris Ramos, a young striker from San Fernando, was linked with Rayo but has signed for Valladolid. Today's article is about the exact opposite - an old goalkeeper from San Fernando moving to distant shores... This winter, Toni Doblas, a 37-year-old goalkeeper has moved from Spain to the Philippines, playing for Ceres–Negros. It is not the first time that he has moved abroad - but it might be the last time, in a career that has seen luck very rarely on his side. Born in Seville, Doblas graduated from local Real Betis, and was part of the famous 1999 team that won the juvenil Copa del Rey - a team that also contained future Betis legends like Joaquín, Arzu and Dani. He would spend four seasons with local Real Betis's B-team, where he was the undisputed starter, before moving on loan to Andalusian neighbors Xerez for the 2003-04 season. He made only four appearances in the second division and returned to Betis' first side the year after, being called into immediate main-...

At the age of just 30, striker Joaquín Larrivey decided to leave the sunny Balaidos for the even sunnier Abu Dhabi, joining Baniyas. Sorry, not "decided". "Decided" is a strong word. "Decided" means that the player had one or more options and picked one without coercion. "Decided" means that the player had a fair choice. Joaquin loves new challenges. While playing for Cagliari, he scored a hat-trick against Napoli, got on the European radar and then disappeared off it just as quickly by signing with Mexican Liga MX club Atlante. After scoring 12 goals for Celta Vigo in the 2014-15 season, Joaquín Larrivey was set for his next adventure. He had two years on his contract remaining, but clubs were willing to pay and Celta were willing to sell. Moreover, his playing style was much more similar with the stereotypical "English striker" - a hardworking, physical, opportunistic poacher who capitalizes amazingly well on sloppy positioning ...