Full name José Casas Gris Place of death Las Palmas, Spain Height 1.68 m | Place of birth Valencia, Spain Playing position Position Goalkeeper | |
Date of birth (1931-11-16)16 November 1931 Date of death 12 October 2010(2010-10-12) (aged 78) Died 12 October 2010, Las Palmas, Spain | ||
José Casas Gris (16 November 1931 – 12 October 2010), known as Pepín, was a Spanish footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Contents
Club career
After playing in several clubs in the Valencian Community as a youth – finishing his formation with UD Alzira and Alicante CF – Valencia-born Pepín joined UD Las Palmas in La Liga in 1951, making his competition debuts in the 1951–52 season (still not aged 20) and appearing in 14 games in a relegation-ending campaign.
The Canary Islands outfit returned to the top level in 1954, and he continued to be first-choice until his departure to Real Betis six years later, as Las Palmas were again relegated. Pepín played five years in Andalusia, only managing to start in two seasons, and returned to his previous club, retiring in 1967 at the age of 35; in 14 seasons in the main category, he appeared in 259 matches.
Pepín died in the Doctor Negrín Hospital in Las Palmas on 12 October 2010, one month shy of his 79th birthday.
International career
Pepín played twice for Spain, his debut coming on 3 October 1963 in a 1964 European Nations' Cup match against Northern Ireland at Windsor Park, his displays in the 1–0 win (2–1 on aggregate) earning him the nickname The hero of Belfast. The national team eventually qualified for the finals which were held on home soil, going on to win the tournament.
On 1 December 1963 Pepín earned his second and last cap, appearing in a friendly with Belgium in his hometown of Valencia.