Valencia CF players will wear black armbands against RC Celta Vigo and Athletic Club as a sign of mourning for the late ‘Paquito’ 

Valencia CF mourns the passing of Francisco García Gómez ‘Paquito’, footballer, captain, coach of the first team, VCF Mestalla and our youth teams, as well as technical secretary, throughout different stints of his career.

Valencia CF players will wear black armbands as a sign of mourning this Friday against RC Celta Vigo, as well as next Wednesday against Athletic Club, and a minute's silence will be held in his memory at the next match at Mestalla, which will take place on 31 August against Villarreal CF, the club to which he dedicated the last years of his career.

Born in Oviedo in 1938, ‘Paquito’ arrived at Valencia CF in the early sixties and defended our badge for nine seasons -from 1962-63 to 1971-72-, in which he played more than 300 games forming a midfield partnership with players such as Roberto Gil and Pep Claramunt and was a member of the Spanish national team who won the 1964 European Championship.

Paquito' made his debut in the 1962-63 Fairs Cup final, in which Valencia CF were crowned champions against Dinamo Zagreb, and was a leading player in his own right with two goals in the four Cup finals he played in, winning the 1967 title against Athletic Club and going down in history as the captain who lifted the 1971 League title.

The club wishes to express its sincere condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace.