Hinchas y Jugadores - Osasuna with Ignasi Torné (10th May, 2017)

You see that logo above this blog post? The one that looks amazing? It was designed by this guy, Ignasi Torné.

Aka Naxto, he is a blogger, writer, traveler...you name it. Check out his blog here, and follow him on Twitter here and on Instagram here.

A bit about yourself and your background

As I use to say, born and bred in Barcelona. I studied Marketing, Advertisement and Tourism Management. What I do? Travel, loving art in its several expressions, read fast literature and link my life with football. This is how I discovered my vision of life, travel for football. As easy as that.

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

It is not the first team I supported. Since 4 years ago, I can say that it currently is the team that I follow in Spain, because it’s interesting how passionate every game is for an Osasuna fan. Besides, I am very linked with Navarra, its traditions and people. I really love Iruña (Pamplona in Basque) and how Osasuna fans live football there. Old football essence and you can feel the British atmosphere due the stadium, fans and the way Osasuna is. Just passion.

Given the transfer windows and the squad that was assembled at the start of the season, is Osasuna where you want it to be?

In my opinion, the team was not built of to face its return to the Primera División. The manager Monreal was fired and the idea to grow among youth and local talent has been quite noised. I consider that the team has completely changed its initial vision from the beginning of the season until now. Osasuna fans just wanted to be competitive and we got disappointing results.

Of the signings made this season, which one worked out the best/had the most impact and why?

Sergio León, he is so good.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of Osasuna this season? Any standout players?

Strengths? The fans and their passion. Weaknesses? Almost everything!

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

I appreciate the effort to educate future professional players, who are able to play in almost every club. This is one pillar that Osasuna fans are proud of.

I can’t understand the way that they’d treated Martín (former coach) after winning the promotion that no one could expect. He gave us everything, as a symbol of respect just let him finish the season. The management haven’t learn anything in last two years!

What has the mood among the fans been during the campaign? Do you generally agree/disagree with them?

I agree, because they are disappointed but still filling the stadium every home game and traveling for away games. Osasuna fans are the party!

Are there any talented youngsters at the club that you expect to have a big future?

Almost all of them are, they need more minutes to play. The supporters don’t want to sign a foreign player, we want to play with our boys!

If you could make one realistic signing for Osasuna this summer who would it be?

I would love to see back some former players, like Raúl García (currently at Athletic Club) and Mikel Merino because he is not playing too much at Dortmund.

Finally, predicted finish for Osasuna?

To start again working in Segunda División in order to grow as a club with a long term project linked with local players. This is what will make Osasuna different.

Ismael Urzaiz and Salamanca. A 22 team La Liga. Trust and Víctor Casadesús (9th June, 2017)

Salamanca traveled to Albacete to compete for promotion to La Liga with an impossible task on their hands. They had to overturn a 2-0 deficit away from home, against a side that entered La Liga's relegation playoff spots on the final day, and who had scored 44 goals in the league - just four less than Salamanca themselves. As the clock ticked towards the 90th minute, Salamanca were winning 1-0 yet in danger of losing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Born in Tudela, Navarre, Urzaiz began his professional career at Real Madrid's B-side, making his debut in Segunda División in 1989. Despite being a successful youth international, he did not make any La Liga appearances for the first team (however, he did play one game against Odense BK, in the 1990–91 European Cup). Urzaiz spent the 1991–92 season on loan at Albacete Balompié, making his top flight debut when he came on as a substitute against Athletic Bilbao in October 1991. In early 1993, he was loaned to Celta de Vigo...

Non-league Incider: St Helens Town 3-0 Atherton Laburnum Rovers

Last game: 8th August: Dulwich Hamlet 2-1 East Thurrock United The previous day, I was blown away by my first ever football match experience. Dulwich Hamlet impressed me, but what impressed me more was the journey. The travel to the stadium was just as enjoyable as the football itself. I had caught the groundhopping bug. There were no games scheduled for the 9th of August. There was one, near Wigan, and all I had booked earlier was a refundable bus ticket from Manchester Airport leaving at quarter past midnight. I should have refunded it. This was a mistake. This whole day was a mistake. I was only slightly hungover from the previous night, but that was nothing compared to this feeling of loss - I couldn't handle the fact that there was a game happening. And I wasn't too far away. Just three hours and a bit. They'll fly by , I thought. I was in autopilot. Something within me made me get up, grab a bag, and get out the door. This wasn't me. I wasn't trave...

Non-league Incider: Cray Valley Paper Mills 4-4 Punjab United Gravesend

Last game: 9th August: St Helens Town 3-0 Atherton Laburnum Rovers After ripping up my groundhopping calendar, mostly because I was determined to avoid overnight travel, and partly due to other commitments, there was a period of time where non-league football took a backseat. But that period did not last long. Because of course it didn't. Secretly, I'd loved travelling over ten hours back-and-forth to watch some 10th division football. And this was 9th division football in London. When I had gone to East Dulwich exactly a week back , I had commented on how the amount of graffiti struck me as I watched from on board a southeastern train. I was going the exact same way, but much further this time - then I had stopped at Denmark Hill, now I would have to go six stations further. The graffiti I had thought was so emblematic of south London quickly disappeared, as did the tall buildings desperately cluttered together. We, and by we I mean me, were going to the suburb...

The Pride of Vallekas

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