Guillot and Arias check in on longest standing season ticket holder

Valencia CF have put together an initiative to take care of their more senior fans, calling them during the COVID-19 lockdown to ensure that they are in good health.

José Benet, the club’s longest standing current season ticket holder, was given a surprise in the form of a phone call from Ricardo Arias, who he considers to be “the club’s best ever central defender, along with Ayala.”

However, Benet’s ‘vintage’ Tuesday wasn’t quite over yet. One of his favourite players of all time, Vicente Guillot, called into VCF Media to have a chat about old times.

“These are very anxious days for a lot of people,” said Benet. “Seeing that your club are concerned about you and open their arms to you is really incredible. We are a family, a group of intelligent fans. For Arias, the Valencia CF ambassador, to call me is really nice.

“I’m spending the lockdown watching old games. I like watching the goals that Mendieta scored against Atletico Madrid, or Claudio López’ against FC Barcelona.

Guillot and Benet are no strangers to one another, having crossed paths on the streets of Valencia over the years. The VCF season ticket holder is one of Guillot’s big admirers, describing him as someone who it was difficult to take the ball from and a ‘wonderful player.’

Relishing the chance to reminisce, Guillot talked about how he watches the games that the current team play.

“I watch them at the veterans’ bar. Sometimes I’m outside, and when I hear the cheer go up at Mestalla for a goal, I sprint faster than in my playing days so that I can see it on the television!” he joked.

“It’s been so many years that few people remember the players from my era. That’s why it’s a pleasure to talk to José Benet about it. It’s like what happens in the VCF Footballers Association memory workshops: It makes me relive things from my youth.”