Turu Flores, Brand new signing of UD Las Palmas from Vélez Sarsfield (Xenen)
The UD Las Palmas accomplished in the season 1995-1996 promotion to Second Division. Not satisfied with it, the Canarian team decided to invest a large amount of money to try to make the jump to Primera immediately.
They reached the island no more and no less than 20 signings. Some were footballers from the quarry, as Manuel Pablo, others from the First Division like Channels, Sandro O Mendiguren. The arrival of foreign players such as Samways, of English Everton or Argentines Walter Pico O Simionato. But nevertheless, a transfer stood out above the rest: That of the Turu Flores.
The Argentine striker was a before and after in the history of the UD Las Palmas Y, We could say, of all the silver category. The Canarian club paid more than 500 million pesetas, a very high amount that was a record in Second. The newcomer Ley Bosman and the fresh money from the televisions began to be noticed especially in First.
Thus, the team led by Pacuco Rosales I was prepared to try to make the leap to the elite of Spanish football. Of course, to the names already mentioned, we must add those of a young man Juan Carlos Valeron, Orlando, Socorro O Paquito. But things didn't go quite right.
Initial formation of UD Las Palmas in the season 1996-1997. A real team (Spanish football)
Las Palmas season ended 1996-1997 in seventh place, something is not bad considering that he was a newly promoted. But nevertheless, the expectations created were so great that he knew little by little. Three technicians passed through the Canary bench: Rosales, Angel Cappa Y Francisco Castellano.
The Turu Flores it meant a lot to the club and to the entire category. It was a star that brightened the entire League. In his first season of yellow he scored 14 goals that were 21 in his second year. This served to make the leap to Deportivo La Coruna, who at that time was one of the ‘roosters’ First. With the Galicians he won a League and a Copa del Rey (it would also be part of the Mallorca squad that won another Cup).
But nevertheless, he lacked ascending with Las Palmas. He was very close in the 1997-1998 where the canaries finished in third position, which allowed them to play the promotion against him Real Oviedo, antepenultimate in First. The carbayones won by a forceful 3-0 at the Tartiere and, although the comeback was close at the Insular (3-1), the promotion had to wait.
Manuel Pablo, Turu Flores Y Valerón (this last previous step through Mallorca) they changed the island for Galicia to sign and make history in Dépor. Las Palmas, Finally, achieved his goal and promoted to First Division in the season 1999-2000 brilliantly, as the #. With a team with fewer foreigners and, possibly, less stars, Sergio Kresic made history.
Manuel Pablo and Valerón became legends of Dépor (The voice of Galicia)
Cicović, Olías, Josico, Eloy… and some survivors from previous seasons like Orlando O Socorro, they got what that team of chimes led by Turu Flores could not. Even so, that siempre Second-Class Brazil will always remain in our memories’ mid and late 90.
