For all of us who started out in journalism, Domingo Simón (1944-2021) was a blessing. His phone was passed from hand to hand in the AS newsroom every time we had to write the chronicle of Espanyol B, especially when he played away from Sant Adrià and it was impossible for us to go to Banyoles, Balaguer or Reus on Sunday mornings. Simón, with the kindness and tenderness of a grandfather, solved the ballot for us when the relationship between employees and journalists was closer, and we could call anyone and get first-hand information.
Good old Domingo, still with the pink certificate in the hand that the referee had just handed him, read us the headlines of each team, the substitutions, the minute of the scorers and the cards, he even made us a summary of the match or he would pass the phone to the coach on duty to have his statements. He was also silent when he played in the changing rooms with players of difficult ages, with young people from all social classes, some starred and other future stars of Spanish football.
Perico to the core, in the 80s, 90s and at the beginning of the new century, he assisted as an implacable witness of the transformation of the club in periods of smiles and tears, always at the foot of the cannon with all the coaches. In 2011, the club presented him with a plaque for his service for more than 30 years. Since then, he went from time to time to the Ciudad Deportiva as a spectator and to greet his old friends, until, little by little, he disappeared in silence.
Espanyol announced his death on Tuesday. With him leaves a great person. More than a delegate, one of those men that every player who shared a dressing room with him will remember him forever.