HE Elche CF and Real Valladolid will clash on Saturday (16:15) at Martinez Valero in a bid to secure three crucial points in their battle to stay in the top flight. Yet before the whistle, both sides will share tense, emotional moments as they honor Pelayo Novo, who passed away last week.
Pelayo Novo, a joyful footballer who could not beat life
JA Galvanized
Elche is organizing a large memorial service to remember the former Asturian footballer. The Franciverde club has already requested minutes of silence and is arranging various tributes. Images of Pelayo will be shown on video boards, and a shirt bearing the number 8, worn by Novo in the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 seasons for Elche, will be on display. It is planned that players from both teams will lay bouquets in his memory.
Dedication in Majorca
The Franjiverde squad had already dedicated its win from last Saturday to Novo in Majorca. At the end of the last Moix match, the Elche players unveiled the number 8 shirt and Novo’s name as a tribute during the ceremony.
At Palma airport, Elche collected a photo with Novo’s jersey. On behalf of the team, captain Gonzalo Verdú dedicated the victory to him: “It was a very special and very emotional match. There were twelve of us on the field. We felt the power of Pela. He was with us on the field and the victory went to him, his family and friends. We send strength to his family and know he is watching over us,” said the Elche stopper.
something caught my eye
@gonzaloverdu pic.twitter.com/Xs7MxdRQhS
— Elche Football Club (@elchecf) March 4, 2023
Frangiverdes supporters are also considering additional initiatives to honor the former franciverde player.
Pelayo Novo did not play for Valladolid but had strong ties to the club through current members of the blanquivioleta squad. The Valladolid coach who will visit Martínez Valero for the first time since promotion to the First Division with Elche in the 2019-2020 campaign had previously coached Novo at Oviedo. That same coach led Oviedo in the 2010-2011 season and helped Novo reach the Asturias A team.
Through Cope Asturias, Pacheta sent an emotional message in which he spoke in a broken voice: “Dear Pelayo. You began a journey to heaven, but you left a huge void in our hearts, souls, and lives. I send strength to all his family and friends, and we will never forget him.”
“Dear Pelayo: You started your journey to heaven but…”
In Pacheta’s @SportsCopeA post
– SportsCOPEAsturias (@DeportesCopeA) March 1, 2023
Sergio León, the Valladolid striker and former Elche player who kept a close connection with Novo, was a key attacker in the 2015-2016 season. Known as the “Pichichi” in the Second Division with 22 goals, he shared a dressing room in Elche with Novo during that period, forming an effective offensive duo under coach Rubén Baraja in many matches.
Pero Novo did not only touch Valladolid through players. Fran Sánchez, then sporting director of Valladolid, maintained ties with Novo when he was involved with Elche in other capacities. Sánchez continued his relationship with Novo after leaving Elche.
In this moment, the emotional thread between the two clubs adds a solemn layer to the upcoming league clash. Both squads will be mindful of Novo’s legacy while seeking three points that could help stabilize their seasons.