Athletic bid farewell to Txetxu Rojo in a packed Begoña Basilica

BILBAO, 27 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Managers, coaching staff and players from various stages of Athletic Club have attended a packed Basilica of Begoña, in Bilbao, this afternoon, for the funeral of José Francisco 'Txetxu' Rojo, historic ex-soccer player of the Biscayan club and second player with the most matches played in the history of Athletic, who passed away last Friday at the age of 75.

At the funeral, which began at seven in the evening, it was possible to see the current squad, led by its captain, Iker Muniain, as well as former outstanding rojiblancos players such as Julen Guerrero, Ismael Urzaiz, Andoni Goikoetxea, Daniel Ruiz Bazán, Rafael Alkorta, Andoni Zubizarreta or Andoni Ayarza.

The Club's board of directors has been headed by its president, Jon Uriarte, while the current coach, Ernesto Valverde, has been seen by the coaching staff, as well as historical figures of the club such as its former player and former coach Javier Clemente and José Ángel Iribar, the only whom Red could not reach in number of games played in his 17 seasons as a rojiblanco player.

In addition, clubs such as Real Sociedad or Celta de Vigo -a team that Txetxu Rojo trained-, among many others, have sent wreaths.

To honor his memory, the men's first team will wear black armbands in the match that Real Betis and Athletic Club will play this coming Thursday on matchday fifteen of LaLiga.

Before Athletic Club-Osasuna begins, the next match that the 'lions' will play in San Mamés on January 9, there will be a minute's silence that will turn into applause at the request of Txetxu Rojo himself, who wanted to thank the fans of San Mamés "all the incredible years lived at Athletic Club, in which he played 541 games", the club underlined.

José Francisco Rojo Arroita (Bilbao, January 28, 1947), known in football as Rojo I and Txetxu Rojo, died on the 23rd in Leioa (Bizkaia) at the age of 75, accompanied by his closest relatives.

Txetxu Rojo, One Club Man, defended the rojiblanca shirt for 17 seasons, playing 541 games, a record figure only surpassed by José Ángel Iribar. He scored 67 goals and gave many more decisive passes, he won two Cup titles against Elche and Castellón, in the 1968/69 and 1972/73 seasons.

He made his debut in 1965 and retired in 1982, after a tribute match held at La Catedral against the English team just before they played the World Cup in San Mamés. In addition, he was international 18 times.