Rosendo Romero
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Rosendo Romero García | ||
| Date of birth | 4 August 1910 | ||
| Place of birth | Marchena, Spain | ||
| Date of death | 2 March 1981 (aged 70) | ||
| Place of death | Seville, Spain | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1925–1932 | Real Betis | ||
| 1932–1933 | Real Murcia | ||
| 1933–1934 | Hércules | ||
| 1934–1935 | Levante | ||
| 1935–1936 | Cartagena | ||
| 1939–1940 | Real Betis | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Rosendo Romero García (4 August 1910 – 2 March 1981) was a Spanish footballer who played as a forward for Real Betis from 1925 until 1932.
Playing career
[edit]Born on 4 August 1910 in Marchena, Romero began his football career at his hometown club Real Betis in 1925, aged 15,[1] which he helped achieve back-to-back runner-up finishes in the Andalusian championship in 1926 and 1927, before finally winning it 1928.[2] He played his first league match in 1930, scoring a goal in a victory over Castellón,[3] and a few weeks later, he netted a hat-trick in a regional match against city rivals Sevilla.[4]
In the early 1930, Romero played a pivotal role, together with the likes of Enrique Soladrero, Adolfo Martín, Andrés Aranda, under coach Emilio Sampere, in helping Betis reach the 1931 Copa del Rey final, which ended in a 3–1 loss to Athletic Bilbao,[4][5] and win the 1931–32 Segunda División, thus achieving promotion to La Liga; he was the team's second highest scorer with 9 goals, only behind Martín's 12.[6] He was noted for his dedication and fighting spirit.[7]
Following the arrival of Patrick O'Connell, Romero lost prominence to Capilla, being then traded for Pedro Areso of Real Murcia, where he earned 400 pesetas as a monthly salary.[3] According to him, he then played at Hércules, Levante, and Cartagena, suffering a knee injury with the latter team, before the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War.[3] Once the conflict was over, he briefly returned to Betis during the 1939–40 season, but he was only able to play two matches due to a hemorrhage in his right knee.[3] In total, he scored 18 goals in 44 official matches for Betis.[7]
Later career
[edit]After retiring, Romero began earning a living by working at the city's port, being gradually forgotten by Betis, who even promised some tickets for the zero row to his brother.[3]
In 1977, on the occasion of Betis reaching that year's Copa del Rey final, the press became interested in the 67-year-old Romero, as he was the sole survivor of the 1931 final; initially, the press struggled to locate him, but they eventually found him in a wheelchair, having had his legs amputated.[3][4] Having won the final, Betis included Romero in its celebrations, with the trophy being placed at the foot of his wheelchair for pictures.[3]
Death
[edit]Romero died in Seville on 2 March 1981, at the age of 71.[7]
Honours
[edit]- Real Betis
- Copa del Rey
- Runner-up (1): 1931
- Segunda División
- Champions (1): 1931–32
References
[edit]- ^ "Romero, Rosendo Romero García - Footballer". www.bdfutbol.com. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Spain - List of Champions of Sur (Campeonato Regional Sur)". RSSSF. 5 July 2018. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Entrevista Rosendo Romero 1977" [Interview with Rosendo Romero, 1977]. www.manquepierda.com (in Spanish). 12 June 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Rosendo Romero, "el chato" de Marchena, pionero del Betis y del fútbol español" [Rosendo Romero, "el chato" from Marchena, pioneer of Betis and Spanish football]. marchenasecreta.com. 14 July 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Spain - Cup 1931". RSSSF. 12 February 2001. Retrieved 4 June 2025.
- ^ "Betis 1932 Campeón de Segunda" [Betis 1932 Second Division Champion]. www.manquepierda.com (in Spanish). 25 August 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "Hoy hace 43 años: Fallece Rosendo Romero" [43 years ago today: Rosendo Romero passed away]. www.manquepierda.com (in Spanish). 2 March 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2025.