SANTOS BEDOYA, FORMER PLAYER AND MANAGER, HAS DIED AGED 85

Santos Bedoya López, former player and coach at the club throughout the 1960s and 70s, has died at the age of 85. Born in Madrid and trained at AD Plus Ultra, a feeder club to Real Madrid, he began his professional career at Espanyol and then played for Los Blancos, moving to Deportivo de la Coruña. From there, he made the move to Sevilla FC in the 1967/68 season. The midfielder spent five seasons at Nervión, making 152 appearances and scoring two goals. He helped the team through tough times amid relegation in first season, remaining part of the team which won promotion as champions the following season. In 1972, he moved to Recreativo, where he would hang up his boots at the age of 33.

However, his return would be almost immediate, as a year later he would begin his coaching career at Sevilla Atlético. In the 1973/74 season, after the departure of Austrian Ernst Happel, he took the reins of the first team in the Second Division. After 20 games, he was replaced by Enrique Buqué, and would go on to manage at Recreativo de Huelva and Cacereño. Later, at the end of the 70s, he was return to work behind the scenes at the club.

We all express our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. This afternoon, a minute's silence will be held in his memory just before the start of the Sevilla Atlético-CF Intercity match at the Estadio Jesús Navas. May he rest in peace.