Struck by Lightning

You would think that a capital city based club playing European football would be a powerhouse? Not always. Rayo Vallecano are one of the most interesting stories you will find in Spanish football. Whether it's the confusing decisions to relay their pitch in winter, failing to invest in the stadium or even having to queue for 2 hours to buy a ticket in 2026 - Rayo just don't things in a normal way. A lot of that is down to their president, who seems to thrive in noteriety. Presa continously goads fans, restricts the clubs ambitions and undervalues Rayo as a club - but the faithful fans still continue to push the club forward in spite of their owner, proving that football can still belong to the people. In this episode Nick is joined by Spanish football journalist and Rayo fan, Paul Reidy, as they look at the story behind this fascinating club and how the club manages to succeed beyond expectation despite issues off the pitch. Available now wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices