In the ninth episode of the Endimoniats podcast we spoke with Manolo Aragón, a loyal Mallorcan fan and employee of RCD Mallorca for more than two decades ahead of his retirement on 31 March.
Manolo spoke to us about his long career as an employee and fan of the club, about his experiences and about his relationship with the players and ex-players of the first team who are already part of Mallorca's history. The guest, after a very long career, offers a very detailed and friendly account of his best anecdotes and all his experiences.
"I've been with the club for many years. I have lived through the worst period but I have also enjoyed the best, playing in the Champions League, the Cup Winners' Cup final, the UEFA Cup.... nobody can take that away from me," begins Manolo.
The importance of Mallorcanism
During the conversation at the Ciutat Esportiva Antonio Asensio, hosted by Llorenç Diego and Álvaro Cobarro, Mallorquinista employee Manolo Aragón shares the importance of the supporters' clubs and tells the story of when he created the Penya Barralet many years ago: “We've had our supporters” club for more than 40 years and it's still going strong. The supporters' clubs are the support that the club has, in the Third Division we had 18,000 people in the Luis Sitjar stadium. That was the fans and the eagerness we had for Mallorca to be great again," he said.
"Seeing my team play in the Champions League was incredible, but the Cup Winners’ Cup final in Birmingham was the greatest thing. There was an amazing atmosphere and Mallorquinismo there.”
His close relationship with the club
As for his approaching retirement and his possible departure from the club, Manolo says that RCD Mallorca will always be a priority for him. He expresses how proud he is after so many years and experiences with the club that has given him his life: "Even though I'm going to retire I'm going to continue to have contact because maybe the club asks me or if not I'll come myself, I need to. I don't want to cut it short, this is my home. Whenever the club needs me for whatever reason they can count on me. I've never had any problems with anyone and that's the pride I have.”