Real Oviedo: A club worth saving!

Real Oviedo, who presently play in Spain’s third tier league, have been in danger associated with losing sight of business should they do not raise €2 million in the next fortnight. Players Santi Cazorla, Juan Mata and Michu have teamed up in an effort to help their former club Real Oviedo to raise cash to stay afloat.

Cazorla, Mata, Michu… Three very good reasons to help save Real Oviedo. #sosrealoviedo Tmrw info on how to help. Gracias!
- Guardian journalist Sid Lowe (@sidlowe)

Real Oviedo had been consigned from the very initial department in 2001 after a club-record 13 seasons in the first division, although they were relegated to the Spanish Second division, and then to the third division two years later. Financial issues, such as delays in payments to the players didn’t help their case either, although two season later they made a comeback to the Segunda B division once again, winning promotion after beating Mallorca in a two-legged playoff.

They were back in Liga Adelante, but Oviedo’s comparable balance, in sports phrases no less than, belies the difficult economic problems dealing with the membership. With no rapid shot of cash, it appears they could fall away from living completely.

Michu, who currently plays for English side Swansea, was at Oviedo from the age of five until he was 21 and has bought shares in the club.

“Myself, Mata and Cazorla have all bought shares, but it would be wrong of me to say how much. We just wanted to try and help save the club we all played for. The economy in Spain is very bad and the club needs around €2m to survive. A lot of people have bought shares and hopefully it will be enough by the closing date of November 17. It’s my local club, a club I love, so I hope it will be enough. Swansea fans should know how much it means to me and the Oviedo supporters. I remember reading up on the history of Swansea when I first arrived here; I remember reading how the Swansea supporters bought shares in this club when it was in trouble 10 years ago – and again many years before that. And look at the club now; in the Premier League and winning at places like Anfield. Hopefully this SOS can have a similar reaction.”
- Michu.

Last week, Real Madrid spent €100,000 pitching in to help the club, by donating it to the Asturian capital’s council. Marca reports that Oviedo has launched a capital increase to raise a total of €1.9 million. So far, it has sold shares worth €752,000, with shares available at €10 a pop. That isn’t everything. Last night, when Real Madrid C had traveled to Asturias to face Oviedo, the team took with them a signed Casillas shirt, so as to raise extra funds by auctioning it off.