Tendillo: "Top flight survival was the greatest honour I've won"

This Friday marks 37 years since May 1st, 1983, the date in which Miguel Tendillo scored a vital goal in a 1-0 victory over Real Madrid, claiming top flight survival and denying their opponents the LaLiga title in the process.

Valencia CF had come into the contest bottom of the table, and Koldo Aguirre's side needed to win -as well as hope that other results around Spain went their way.

A move worked on at the training ground bore fruit in the 39th minute, when a corner was flicked on by Botubot and fell to Tendillo, who finished off to hand VCF the advantage.

"We knew that we were going to win. We were a side who grew in the face of adversity. It wasn't Valencia CF's future to be in the Segunda División the next season," remembers Tendillo.

"We had know doubt that we were capable of beating Real Madrid at Mestalla. We felt secure at home. The problem was waiting on the results in the other games, to see if we would be staying in the Primera División."

Thanks to Tendillo's goal, they did just that. It was a special moment that ranks amongst his greatest at the club.

"Time has passed, but I still get goosebumps when I think about it; the joy, the hands held aloft in the stands, the moment in which we found out that we were safe... I've won many trophes, but that is the nicest and the biggest honour I've won."