Madrid's people club: uncovering Rayo Vallecano

When you think of football clubs located in Madrid, you’ll almost certainly think of the capital’s two big giants – Real and Atletico.

It is true, these historic clubs have extensive fanbases that span the width of the globe, but in the age of modern football, the super club’s fans are restricted to witnessing their favourite stars on the pitch from the stands or miles away on a television screen.

That personal connection between the supporters and the players is no longer there in relation to European football’s biggest clubs, but in the buried deep in the depths of Madrid, there is one club who have aimed to make a difference within their fanbase.

Introducing Rayo

Situated to the east of Madrid, it is no surprise that Rayo Vallecano have been in the shadow of both Real and Atletico since their formation in 1924.

Having never been able to sustain a position in Spain’s top flight, Vallecano have been up and down the divisions frequently over the past 30 years.

Moreover, they have only embarked upon a European adventure - a UEFA Cup run in the 2000/01 season when the club reached the quarter-final stage.

Despite their on-field success being at a minimum, the work of Rayo Vallecano away from the field of play is where the club should really be commended.

Vallecano have been likened to the last neighbourhood club in Spain and therefore to the working-class contingent of uber-conservative Madrid, they are the identifiable outfit in the capital among the locals.

Their players are often involved in helping out with charity work, including regular visits to homeless shelters in the area.

Perhaps the most notable incident of generosity occurred back in 2014 when an 85-year woman was evicted from her house in Vallecas that she had lived in since the 1960’s due to increased gentrification of the Madrid’s housing market.

Not one to watch their own suffer, the club and its coach Paco Jemez offered to cover the cost of the woman’s new property, allowing her to have a roof over her head.

No lefties, no party

Aside from the direct actions of the club, Vallecano are also renowned for the Bukaneros ultras group and their extreme left-wing views.

They have repeatedly presented political messages through the use of tifos and banners to support their anti-racism and anti-fascist campaigns in the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas stadium.

Furthermore, Vallecano sported an away kit for the entirety of their 2015/16 La Liga season that was used to present a symbolic message in the fight against homophobia.

Their kits traditional diagonal stripes were decorated in rainbow colours with each individual colour representing a different cause.

These included: red for fighting cancer, orange for the disabled, yellow to represent the battle against depression, green to mark the environment, blue as a statement against child abuse and finally purple for the campaign against domestic violence.

Additionally, the Bukaneros have popularly objected against the state of modern football and the rise of commercialisation that has come with the introduction of various extortionate multi-million-pound television deals.

Rayo Vallecano is an active example of the club and the fanbase working together in tandem to stand up against the same beliefs.

The people’s champions

In a city drowning in European and domestic successes, Rayo Vallecano are never, ever going to achieve the same worldwide adulation that their city rivals possess.

But in a footballing world where more and more are becoming disenfranchised with the state of the game, Vallecano offer a sanctuary for football fans who crave the beautiful game to stay beautiful.

There you have it: Rayo Vallecano uncovered. Did you enjoy reading about Madrid's people club? Let us know on Instagram and Twitter.