Working Class Heroes

THE REAL MADRID

THE REAL MADRID

Working Class Heroes is much more than the story of a football club. This is the tale of a working-class neighbourhood, its people’s relationship with both their team and the outside world, and how they co-exist.

Founded in 1924, Rayo Vallecano recently achieved their highest ever position in La Liga, though shortly after this feat they were brought back down to earth with relegation to the second tier of Spanish football – an outcome wholly in keeping with the historical ups and downs of the club. Madrid is a city overwhelmed by the existence of Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, though out in Vallecas, just a short metro ride from the city centre, Rayo Vallecano are the only team for the local people.

While they accept their role as Madrid’s third team, they wear their fandom like a badge of honour, and the bulk of the club’s fans pride themselves on being anti-fascist. Madrid's Forgotten Team is the story of a writer who followed los Franjirrojos around for a year, learning from the fans about the football club and its chequered past.

Full of atmosphere, characters and legendary stories, Working Class Heroes takes you on a journey into football history via the backstreets of Madrid:

  • Details protests against club ownership in typical Rayo Vallecano style
  • Details how Rayo Vallecano made international news when they rejected the signing of Ukrainian footballer and reported 'neo-Nazi' Roman Zozulya
  • Explains how the Bukaneros, Rayo's Ultras, feel about how they are viewed and their fight against modern football
  • Delves into Vallecas, a barrio in Madrid that has become known for radical left-wing thought both historically and in the present
  • Explains how former manager Paco Jemez led Rayo Vallecano to the best finish in their history on a shoe-string budget, with the help of his director of football Felipe Miñambres
  • Recalls the Ruiz-Mateos era of ownership of the club and ponders what is next under current owner Raul Martin Presa
  • Features interviews with the leading thinkers in Spanish football with help from Spanish historians, sociologists and writers
  • Profiles Rayo legend and current club captain Roberto Trashorras and the intense and divisive Paco Jemez

Click here for more information, or to read a sample from Working Class Heroes.