Pepín (footballer, born 1931)

José Casas Gris (16 November 1931 – 12 October 2010), known as Pepín, was a Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.

"José Casas" redirects here. For the Spanish cyclist, see José Casas (cyclist).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Casas and the second or maternal family name is Gris.
Pepín
Personal information
Full name José Casas Gris
Date of birth (1931-11-16)16 November 1931
Place of birth Valencia, Spain
Date of death 12 October 2010(2010-10-12) (aged 78)
Place of death Las Palmas, Spain
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
Discóbolo
Sorolla
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1948–1949 Discóbolo
1949–1951 Alzira
1951 Alicante 16 (0)
1952–1960 Las Palmas 233 (0)
1960–1965 Betis 78 (0)
1965–1967 Las Palmas 6 (0)
International career
1963 Spain 2 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Pepín was born in Valencia. After playing with several clubs in the Valencian Community as a youth – starting his senior career at UD Alzira and Alicante CF – he joined UD Las Palmas of La Liga in January 1952, making his competition debut during that season[1] and appearing in 14 games as his side finished second from the bottom.[2]

The Canarians returned to the top division in 1954,[3] and Pepín continued to be first choice until his departure to Real Betis six years later, as Las Palmas were again relegated. He remained five years in Andalusia, only managing to start in two and subsequently returning to his previous club, retiring in 1967 at the age of 35.[4][1]

Pepín died in the Doctor Negrín Hospital in Las Palmas on 12 October 2010, one month shy of his 79th birthday.[5] Over 14 seasons in the top tier, he took part in 259 matches.[6]

International career

Short for his position,[7] Pepín played twice for Spain, his debut coming on 3 October 1963 in a 1964 European Nations' Cup match against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, his displays in the 1–0 victory (2–1 on aggregate) earning him the nickname The hero of Belfast;[5] the national team eventually qualified for the finals which were held on home soil, going on to win the tournament.[7]

Pepín earned his second and last cap on 1 December 1963, appearing in a friendly with Belgium in his hometown of Valencia.[5]

References
  1. Fallece Pepín, legendario portero de la UD Las Palmas (Death of Pepín, legendary UD Las Palmas goalkeeper); El Diario, 13 October 2010 (in Spanish)
  2. Spain, Final Tables 1949–1959; at RSSSF
  3. La UD Las Palmas logra su sexto ascenso a Primera División (UD Las Palmas achieve their sixth promotion to Primera División); UD Las Palmas, 21 June 2015 (in Spanish)
  4. Los mejores porteros de la historia del Betis (Best goalkeepers in Betis' history); ABC, 27 April 2020 (in Spanish)
  5. Fallece Pepín, mítico portero de Las Palmas y Betis (Pepín, legendary Las Palmas and Betis goalkeeper, dies); Marca, 13 October 2010 (in Spanish)
  6. Fallece Pepín, legendario portero del Betis de los 60 (Death of Pepín, legendary Betis goalkeeper in the 60s); Diario de Sevilla, 14 October 2010 (in Spanish)
  7. Pepín, el héroe español de una sola noche (Pepín, the one-night Spanish hero); El País, 13 June 2012 (in Spanish)
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