The Román Valero pays tribute to Pepe Martínez, 40 years of devotion to CDC Moscardó

On Sunday 28 April, the Román Valero Stadium hosted the last home match of the Segunda Federación season, a goalless draw against CDA Navalcarnero that no longer changed anything in the table. But the most moving part of the afternoon was not on the scoreboard.

Before kick-off, the club used that last home match to pay tribute to someone who for 40 years was one of the quiet pillars of CDC Moscardó: Pepe Martínez, the club's kit man for four decades. Surrounded by all the first-team players in the centre circle, Pepe received a framed shirt with his name and the number 10, a symbolic but hugely deserved recognition.

Forty years preparing kits, looking after the equipment and being that everyday support who never makes the headlines but whom everyone in the dressing room knows and values. Whole generations of Moscardó players have grown up with Pepe by their side, and the club wanted the Román Valero — the stadium that is also his home — to witness that gratitude.

The fans, loyal even in difficult times, accompanied the tribute with the warmth that defines this neighbourhood and this club. Because CDC Moscardó is much more than the football played on the pitch. It is the people who hold it up every day.

Thank you, Pepe. For the four decades. For everything that goes unseen.