The tragic story of Francisco Mamblona, hero of Castellón’s last Girona win in Segunda División | OneFootball

It is more than 78 years since CD Castellón last beat Girona in the Segunda División. Francisco Mamblona delivered it with a hat-trick in a 2-3 victory.

El Periódico Mediterráneo recounts Mamblona’s story. The 1948/49 success came under Almería-born coach Francisco Gómez at the old Camp de Vista Alegre. The El Cabanyal, València, striker had arrived from Alicante CF that season and was electric.

Of Castellón’s 46 league goals that year, 23 were his, scored across 23 appearances. His goals were pivotal in keeping Castellón in the division.

His second season brought only 10 games and three goals. He left on 18 February amid financial problems that would lead to relegation to Tercera División.

After departing, he signed for Melilla to continue in the Segunda División.

On 26 January 1951, a storm forced a change to a planned flight for a team trip. The party combined a sea crossing with a long road journey.

Travelling from Málaga towards Alicante at 12:15 near Loja in Granada, a heavy lorry struck the team coach from behind. The driver lost control and the bus rolled several times, killing Francisco Mamblona, aged 28, a team-mate and the club masseur.

The tragedy resonated nationally and internationally, and Spanish football held a minute’s silence at matches across the country.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”