The mythic club Ché, known for its enduring prominence in Spanish and European football, has only ever fallen to the Second Division once: during the 1985-86 campaign.
Valencia CF stands as one of Spain’s and Europe’s most storied clubs. The club’s rich trophy cabinet includes league titles, the Copa del Rey, the Spanish Super Cup, European Super Cups, the Fairs Cup, and the UEFA Cup. Its long list of achievements shows a program built on consistency and success. The only blemish on its illustrious history is that one relegation to the Second Division, a moment that did not define the club but rather underscored its resilience and capacity to rebound. Valencia CF is truly one of Spain’s traditional footballing powerhouses. In fact, the club’s only relegation to the Segunda Division remains a defining but transient blip in its history.
Valencia CF’s sole relegation to the Second Division
The single relegation of Ché’s squad occurred in the 1985-86 season. Valencia finished 17th in the First Division, which forced the team to compete in the Second Division in the 1987-88 season. The club’s relegation was confirmed with 25 points earned and 24 points deducted, in a season where victories carried two points each and the top tier consisted of 18 teams. Alongside Valencia, Hércules and Celta Vigo also faced relegation that year. The club quickly regained top-flight status the following season, reaffirming its standing as a mainstay of Spanish football. This moment is often recalled by Valencian supporters, with recordings on television capturing the immediate reactions after the relegation was confirmed.
Valencia’s relegation event and context in April 1986
The decisive moment came when Valencia was defeated 3-0 by Barcelona at Camp Nou on 12 April 1986. A day later, Cádiz and Betis drew, a result that, combined with the earlier results, left Cádiz safe from relegation. On the final day, the team from Cádiz faced Valencia, and Valencia could not overturn the situation. The squad that faced the drop included players such as Cabrera, Sixto, Subirats, Roberto, Fernando, Voro, Cuxart, Castellanos, Quique, and Giner, among others. This relegation did not erase Valencia’s broader success, which includes eight Copa del Rey titles, six La Liga championships, a Spanish Super Cup, the UEFA Cup, the Fairs Cup, and two European Super Cups, among other honors.
In reflecting on this period, it is clear that Valencia’s history is defined more by its enduring competitiveness and its return to top form than by a single setback. The club’s ability to bounce back from relegation attests to its deep-rooted stature in both national and European football, a legacy that continues to attract supporters and players alike.