In the 1972/73 season Cádiz CF chose Domingo Balmanya as their new coach and bolstered the squad with the signing of, among others, Isauro, Manolito Díaz and Viqueira, all from Real Betis.
Isauro Álvarez Alonso was born on 8 November, 1943 in Trobajo del Cerecedo (León). He normally played inside right, and was known for his supreme strength, decency and the effort he put in for the team, as well as for his attacking flair.
He began his playing career with the youth sides at Cultural Leonesa, but when his work with state rail company Renfe took him to Ponferrada he signed for SD Ponferradina (66/67 and 67/68), before moving to CD Castellón (68/69 and 69/70), where in his first season he was part of the team that achieved promotion to the Segunda División.
His career was on an upward trajectory, and in 70/71, he signed for Real Betis, at the request of coach Antonio Barrios. They gained promotion to the Primera División that year. After a second season with the Seville-based outfit he moved to Cádiz CF.
He made his debut at Las Gaunas in the second matchday of the 72/73 season, coming on for Juanito Mariana in a match against CD Logroñés which finished with a 3-3 draw. The Cádiz line-up that day was: Luna; Soriano, Díaz, Severino; Herrero, Migueli; Juanito (Isauro), Villalba, Machicha, Larrauri, Baena. The goals came from Baena (2) and Migueli.
In his time at Cádiz CF he spent two seasons under Domingo Balmanya, where in the coach’s second season the attacking play of the side was much admired and was also successful, achieving promotion to the Primera División. He later played under coaches such as Sabino Barinaga, Juanito Arza, Adolfo Bolea and Luis Escarti.
Isauro was with the club for four seasons, leaving the Cádiz CF and retiring from football at the end of the 75/76 season. During his time at the club he played 96 league games, scoring six goals; 16 games in the Copa, scoring one; and 24 games in the Copa Andalucía, where he notched five times.
A few weeks ago I had the chance to speak with him. He fondly remembers his time at Cádiz CF and in our city, which he finds utterly charming. Among the coaches that had the biggest impact on his career he names Domingo Balmanya and Sabino Barinaga, and he remains in close contact with Paco Baena. After retiring from football he moved to Castellón, the place where he had met his wife when he played for the local side there. He sends his regards to all Cádiz fans, wishing them and the club all the very best.
HISTORICAL NOTES_ by Juan A. Lebrero, Cádiz CF club historian
