José Ramón Esnaola - 270.80 Performance Pts
Born: 30/06/1946 Andaoin, Spain
Position: Goalkeeper Height: 1.76m Weight: 75kg
Esnaola
had a long career in La Liga as a goalkeeper, representing 2 clubs - Real
Sociedad and Real Betis. Real Sociedad had won promotion in 1967, and survived
their first season back in the top-flight -just- by winning a relegation
play-off. He joined Betis in 1973, who had just been relegated to the 2nd
division. An immediate return was secured, but they fell through the trapdoor
again in 1978. Once again their spell in the 2nd tier only lasted a single
season. 1977 saw Betis win the Copa del Rey - Esnaola's only career trophy.
This was an epic victory - 8-7 on penalties after a 2-2 draw against Athletic
Bilbao, with Esnaola being the shoot-out hero. He'd scored with his spot-kick,
and kept out 3 attempts, including the decisive one, taken by legendary Bilbao
'keeper, Jose Angel Iribar. He finished his career in 1985, with no further
relegation mishaps in his last 6 seasons. He wasn't so fortunate upon his
return to Betis as manager, with a last-place finish in the 1990-91 season.
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