Fernando Gómez
Encyclopedia
Fernando Gómez Colomer (born 11 September 1965 in Valencia), simply Fernando, is a retired Spanish
footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.
His professional career was closely connected to Valencia CF
, with which he made his senior debuts at the age of 18, going on to score more than 100 official goals, and working with the team in directorial capacities following his retirement.
, representing it from 1983 to 1998. He would garner a reputation as an outstanding playmaker
who boasted an exceptional scoring record from midfield (two 14-goal seasons, three with 10), and would also captain the side. He played a club record 421 La Liga
games for them, and also ranked as the club's fourth highest scorer, with 142 goals in all competitions.
Fernando made his first team debut on January 15, 1984 against Real Valladolid
, after moving up from the club's 'B' team, CD Mestalla. He truly came to the forefront in the 1986–87 season, as the team won promotion back to the top level at the first attempt. Aside from this season, he spent all his time with Valencia in the top flight, where he twice finished runner-up in the championship, also settling for a runners-up spot in the Spanish Cup
of 1995.
Fernando won the Don Balón
Best Spanish Player Award in 1988–89, and broke into the national team
later that year. He finally left the club in August 1998 to join English First Division
side Wolverhampton Wanderers
on a free transfer. However, he spent only one year with the Wolves before returning to Spain, with third level
's CD Castellón
, also in the Valencian Community
.
After a sole Castellón season, Fernando retired in 2000. He remained at the club as sporting director, switching afterwards to sports commentator
, on both radio and television. However, in July 2008, he returned to Valencia, again as sporting director, leaving the post two years later.
, making his international debut on 15 November 1989, in a 4–0 1990 World Cup qualifier
win over Hungary
in Seville
, where he closed the score.
He was subsequently selected for the squad for the World Cup
, where he made a substitute
appearance in the 3–1 group stage win over South Korea
.
Fernando had earlier represented the nation at youth level
in the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship
, finishing joint-topscorer with three goals, en route to the final.
Spain U20
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
footballer who played as an attacking midfielder.
His professional career was closely connected to Valencia CF
Valencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
, with which he made his senior debuts at the age of 18, going on to score more than 100 official goals, and working with the team in directorial capacities following his retirement.
Club career
Fernando spent the vast majority of his career at hometown club Valencia CFValencia CF
Valencia Club de Fútbol is a Spanish football club based in Valencia, Spain. They play in La Liga and are one of the most successful and biggest clubs in Spanish Football and European Football. Valencia have won six La Liga titles, seven Copa del Rey trophies, two Fairs Cups which was the...
, representing it from 1983 to 1998. He would garner a reputation as an outstanding playmaker
Playmaker
In association football, a playmaker is a player who controls the flow of the team's offensive play, and is often involved in passing moves which lead to goals....
who boasted an exceptional scoring record from midfield (two 14-goal seasons, three with 10), and would also captain the side. He played a club record 421 La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
games for them, and also ranked as the club's fourth highest scorer, with 142 goals in all competitions.
Fernando made his first team debut on January 15, 1984 against Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid
Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived....
, after moving up from the club's 'B' team, CD Mestalla. He truly came to the forefront in the 1986–87 season, as the team won promotion back to the top level at the first attempt. Aside from this season, he spent all his time with Valencia in the top flight, where he twice finished runner-up in the championship, also settling for a runners-up spot in the Spanish Cup
Copa del Rey
The Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
of 1995.
Fernando won the Don Balón
Don Balón
Don Balón was a Spanish weekly sports magazine specialising in Spanish and international football. It was distributed on five continents....
Best Spanish Player Award in 1988–89, and broke into the national team
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
later that year. He finally left the club in August 1998 to join English First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
side Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
on a free transfer. However, he spent only one year with the Wolves before returning to Spain, with third level
Segunda División B
Segunda División B is the third level of the Spanish football league system. It is administered by the RFEF. The top two levels are La Liga, also referred to as the Primera División, and the Segunda División. Immediately below Segunda División B is the Tercera Division...
's CD Castellón
CD Castellón
Club Deportivo Castellón, S.A.D. is a Spanish football team based in Castellón de la Plana, in the Valencian Community. Founded in 1922, it currently plays in Tercera División – Group 6, holding home games at Nou Estadi Castalia, which has a capacity of 16,000.-History:Football first appeared in...
, also in the Valencian Community
Valencian Community
The Valencian Community is an autonomous community of Spain located in central and south-eastern Iberian Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Valencia...
.
After a sole Castellón season, Fernando retired in 2000. He remained at the club as sporting director, switching afterwards to sports commentator
Sports commentator
In sports broadcasting, a commentator gives a running commentary of a game or event in real time, usually during a live broadcast. The comments are normally a voiceover, with the sounds of the action and spectators also heard in the background. In the case of television commentary, the commentator...
, on both radio and television. However, in July 2008, he returned to Valencia, again as sporting director, leaving the post two years later.
International career
Fernando earned eight caps and scored twice goals for the Spanish national teamSpain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
, making his international debut on 15 November 1989, in a 4–0 1990 World Cup qualifier
1990 FIFA World Cup qualification (UEFA)
The European zone of qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup saw 32 teams competing for 13 places at the finals. UEFA members Italy qualified automatically as hosts of the finals. The qualification process started on 21 May 1988 and ended on 18 November 1989.-Format:Teams were drawn into seven...
win over Hungary
Hungary national football team
The Hungary national football team represents Hungary in international football and is controlled by the Hungarian Football Federation....
in Seville
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
, where he closed the score.
He was subsequently selected for the squad for the World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
, where he made a substitute
Substitute (football)
In association football, a substitute is a player who is brought on to the pitch during a match in exchange for an existing player. Substitutions are generally made to replace a player who has become tired or injured, or who is not performing well; there may also be tactical reasons such as...
appearance in the 3–1 group stage win over South Korea
Korea Republic national football team
The Korea Republic national football team represents Korea Republic in international football and is controlled by the Korea Football Association. Korea Republic is the most successful Asian football team in the history of the FIFA World Cup having participated in eight World Cup tournaments,...
.
Fernando had earlier represented the nation at youth level
Spain national under-20 football team
The Spain national under-20 football team represents Spain in international football at this age level and is controlled by Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain.-FIFA World Youth Championship Record:...
in the 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship
1985 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship, the ninth edition of the FIFA World Youth Championship, was held in the Soviet Union from August 24 to September 7, 1985. The tournament took place in eight venues — Baku, Yerevan, Leningrad, Minsk, Moscow, Hoktemberyan, Tbilissi and Sumqayit — where a total...
, finishing joint-topscorer with three goals, en route to the final.
Honours
Valencia- Second DivisionSegunda DivisiónThe Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
: 1986–87 - Spanish CupCopa del ReyThe Copa del Rey is an annual football cup competition for Spanish football teams. Its full name is Campeonato de España – Copa de Su Majestad el Rey de Fútbol ....
: Runner-up 1994–95
Spain U20
- FIFA U-20 World CupFIFA U-20 World CupThe FIFA U-20 World Cup, until 2005 known as the FIFA World Youth Championship, is the world championship of football for male players under the age of 20 and is organized by Fédération Internationale de Football Association...
: Runner-up 19851985 FIFA World Youth ChampionshipThe 1985 FIFA World Youth Championship, the ninth edition of the FIFA World Youth Championship, was held in the Soviet Union from August 24 to September 7, 1985. The tournament took place in eight venues — Baku, Yerevan, Leningrad, Minsk, Moscow, Hoktemberyan, Tbilissi and Sumqayit — where a total...