News came this Thursday that the national football figure Pepe Lemos has died at the age of 61. Known as Celtic Lemos during his playing days, he defended the A team jersey for seven seasons from 1979 to 1986 before moving on to Valladolid for six seasons. His career reached international status before he retired at Porriño Industrial. He was the uncle of Claudio Giráldez, the current Celta Fortuna manager. Lemos died after a long illness, surrounded by those who loved him.
José Lemos Rodríguez, born in Salvatierra de Miño in 1962 and passing away in Vigo in 2023, trained in the youth ranks of Celta. He joined the first team in 1979 at the age of 17, a period that coincided with the club’s relegation to Segunda División B. He was part of the squad that earned promotion back to the top flight with the help of Miroslav Pavic, initially contributing over two seasons. Positioned as a right back for Celta, he shone on the left wing for Valladolid, where he became a defensive reference. His first appearance in La Liga for Celta came against Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on September 5, 1982, when he was only twenty years old.
He is remembered as a robust side with fierce intensity, a player who compensated for technical limitations with unwavering attitude. His strongest years were with Valladolid, where his status grew internationally, although he never earned official caps with the Spanish national team. A recall by Luis Suárez to the national team to play for Balaídos in memory of José Manuel Alvelo did occur, but it did not lead to lasting continuity.
Lemos appeared in 170 league matches and scored two goals, both while with the Valladolid club. As a player under 23, his time with Celta was marked by intermittent appearances in the senior squad, totaling 33 appearances over two seasons. He left his mark at both Valladolid and Celta through his selfless approach and relentless energy on the field. After his stint with the Pucelano side, Lemos joined Porriño Industrial for a period before retiring from professional football.
His son David followed a similar path, and his nephew Claudio Giraldez became involved with Celta through the youth ranks and has led Celta Fortuna with notable success over the last three seasons.