The small field of Txerloia, with its only grandstand from which you can see the dome of the Basilica of Loiola and Mount Ernio, already has a prominent place in the inventory of great moments in the 106-year history of Barakaldo. In this town in Azkoitia, the factory club has emerged from the hell of the fifth category of Spanish football, a pit into which it had never fallen.
He did it with a goal from Iker Pedernales, “in the last second and in the last play”, as the author of the goal summed up. “It couldn’t have gone better. You can’t ask for more », he indicated with a broad smile. “It looks like the script for a suspense film,” the general and sports director, Joseba Núñez, congratulated himself.
What has been achieved in Azkoitia transcends the value of a promotion. It is so much more. The club has once again become a social and union phenomenon in its city. There was nothing more to see the enthusiasm among the 800 fans who came to Txerloia. A field with an average capacity of 300 spectators burst to 1,200. From a box office somewhat less than 1,000 euros to 8,000.
The squad celebrated him on the field. The president, Ricardo Arana, placed the accent on following the fans. «The truth value of this party is that 800 people have followed us. We rely on them for the future », he was proud.
The squad will celebrate success tonight with their fans in Zaballa, but the big party is left for Saturday after the match against Padura at 5:00 p.m. “Since we did not know what was going to happen, we had decided to leave it for next week,” explained Núñez. The club intends for there to be a large attendance at the Lasesarre stadium and to celebrate it from 8:00 p.m. with thousands of people from the Town Hall.
The play that is already in the history of Barakaldo was about to be aborted. After minute 96, the last minute of discount, a free kick was launched that hit the wall. The referee was about to signal the end, but let Pedernales pick up the rebound and score. “A season as incredible as this could only end in such an incredible way,” said the coach. Imanol de la Sota. And he stated: «This season we had two objectives, to promote and excite people. We have achieved both », he concluded. The general director said goodbye with a warning: “Next campaign we want to be at the top again.”