DEPOR'S ANGUISH

ROBERT J WILSON REFLECTS ON THE RISE AND FALL OF A FAMOUS SPANISH CLUB

THE name David Cubillas Pena won't mean much to many, but he will be forever etched in the psyche of suffering Deportivo La Coruna supporters.

Cubillas' decisive goal in extra-time of last season's play-offs meant that (once again) the former La Liga champions were to remain in the third tier of Spanish football.

Despite possessing the slender advantage of a 1-0 lead from the home leg, Deportivo self-imploded against Castellon. They found themselves 2-0 down inside half an hour, but gallantly fought back to lead on aggregate, only to then concede again in the last minute and endure extra-time.

Their task became increasingly difficult when their erratic goalkeeper lan Mackay was sent off just five minutes into the extra period for an indiscreet slap. Castellon missed the resulting penalty.

Deportivo's talented Uruguayan forward Kuki Zalazar remarkably headed in from close range for the ten men, but Cubillas' commanding header from a corner drew Castellon level once again at 4-4 over the two legs.

Due to their final standings in Primera Federacion, Castellon were promoted to Segunda Division. They had finished one place and two points bove Deportivo.

The agony, therefore, continues for a club that were proudly champions of Spain in 2000 and later progressed to the semi-final stage of the Champions League four years later before losing to Jose Mourinho's Porto.

Their fall from Europe's top table has been dramatic to say the least.

Having last featured in the UEFA Cup in 2009, they were relegated just two years later. They were up and then down again before re-establishing themselves as a top flight club in 2014.

A disastrous campaign in 2017-18 saw the club appoint three managers (including the Dutchman Clarence Seedorf) and once again slip out of the top division after winning just six league matches.