Some people say that commitment should never be an imposition. It’s a responsibility that comes from within. It’s a far stronger union than that of a contract or any salary.
The Perales family is a clear example of this. The father of this large Malaguista family is Don Andrés. Many fans know who he is, he is the 'man who lives at La Rosaleda', but few truly know his story. "In '66 my wife and seven children came here to live. Here at La Rosaleda”, he explains. Attached to the stadium, this extended family has lived happily ever since in their home: “All seven of us were born here and all seven of us have grown up here. Always with the Málaga anthem in the background”, says Conchi, one of his daughters.
Living somewhere like this, obviously, has its curiosities. “When I was little, I did my homework and played in the stands. My neighbours are footballers, employees of the Club and the fans”, says Andy, the youngest of the brothers. For the Perales family, as for any family, their home has been the scene of their most special moments: “We’ve celebrated family events here, such as the announcement of the birth of my daughter, she learned to walk at La Rosaleda. We have held communions, New Year's Eve, Christmas Eve, everything here”, adds Coqui, another one of the daughters.
However, it’s not always been a joyous time at the Stadium: "The worst time was when they mortgaged the Club and my father had to find work in a taxi to eat," explains Andy. A tough time during which Andrés showed his extraordinary commitment to Malaguismo: “When he worked as a taxi driver, my father invested everything in putting diesel into the lawnmower, so the pitch didn’t die”, says Conchi.
Thanks to his work, La Rosaleda was never abandoned and was always ready to welcome her fans again. “Any Malaguista would have done the same. I had no choice, because it’s Málaga”, says a modest Don Andrés.
Commitment is looking after the pitch without knowing when the players will set foot on it again. Commitment is to remain by your team's side in the face of defeat. Commitment is to work tirelessly until you achieve your objective. Commitment is never giving up on love, even during tough times.
Thank you for staying by our side, taking care of our shield from afar and dreaming of a reunion.
You are like the Perales Family: Malaguismo, Commitment… Against All Odds.
