70 Years of Dedication: Antonio Sánchez Honored for His Contribution to Orotava Football

In Tenerife football, there are people who have dedicated many years to clubs. They have become almost indispensable and have made a great contribution to the development of the sport. They will be remembered as those who added prestige to local teams. One of these well-known names is Sánchez, which is immediately associated with the UD Orotava club, which is over a hundred years old.

Recently, the team was close to relegation to a lower league. Orotava misses its past glory, so we want to remember Antonio Hernández Sánchez, who dedicated almost 70 years of his life to the UD Orotava club and football.

For such dedication, the UD Orotava Veterans Association organized a celebration for him at the La Perdoma stadium. It was a touching event where the coach was supported by family and friends to thank him for his contribution to football. "It was very emotional," says Antonio, "because not only friends from Orotava came, but also from Tacoronte and Puerto Cruz, clubs for which I will always have warm feelings."

The Sánchez surname is one of the most important in the football history of UD Orotava. Antonio's brother, Juan, was a director and a great fan of football in Orotava. He also received the Golden Badge of the club. Another brother, Graciano, was also a director and supported the Teide Trophy. He also has a Golden Badge.

Pepe, who is called Buje in the family, was also important for football in Orotava. Nolito played for Valencia and Betis in the top league, as well as for CD Tenerife and UD Orotava. He was a good coach in the golden age of the team. Isidoro played for UD Las Palmas. Unfortunately, they are no longer with us. So Antonio is the last representative of the Sánchez family. His brothers could have played for top league clubs, but Antonio decided to stay and help the family. He fondly remembers his brothers, "because we always supported each other. There were fifteen of us in the family, and it wasn't easy in those days."

He started playing in the Santo Tomás de Aquino children's club and in Iberia. Then he joined Orotava, where he spent many years, playing in various categories and coaching youth and first teams. He also recalls coaching UD Tacoronte for five seasons and CD Puerto Cruz.

He played as a centre forward. "Although some said it wasn't my position, I always scored goals. I was strong and technical. I remember a play-off match with Orotava in Arucas where I scored four goals and became the top scorer of the play-offs."

Antonio Sánchez says that he started playing football on the street. "We put two stones instead of a goal and played with boys from all over the neighbourhood. When a car came, we removed the stones and then started again. I tell this to my grandchildren and they are surprised. It was football of the past, which originated in the streets and squares, and great players came from there," he says.

He remembers becoming a champion with UD Orotava and the fans lifting him up, or being the president of the club. He also recalls his time in Tacoronte, where he became a champion and reached the First Division. "At every match, the old stadium was packed, and buses with fans travelled to away matches."

When asked about the importance of the Sánchez surname, he replies: "We owe everything to my uncle Antonio, who said to my mother: I will be the godfather of the boy, but name him Antonio, like me. He was a Celta de Vigo player, and it is a great pride for our family."

Regarding the current situation in football in La Orotava, he says that he recently met with his friend and former UD president, Manuel González Santana. "He asked me: Antonio, aren't we also to blame for Orotava being in this state? And I was surprised. Maybe he's right, because we didn't continue to cooperate and didn't leave a foundation for development."

He is still a member of UD. "I am member number 4, but the position of president is a very difficult and responsible job. I was helped by many people I knew through my work. My brother Juan even arranged for players who wanted not money but work to be employed at DISA. I also remember a wonderful president and friend, Don Buenaventura Machado, who helped me a lot. He was one of the most important people in football in La Orotava."

Regarding women's football, he says that he used to think that football was a men's business, but now his opinion has changed. "We see great players and interesting matches. I think it needs to be respected."

Antonio Hernández says that his work in Sindical and with field workers taught him a lot. "It helped me to become a person and a coach, to be humble and dedicated to my work."