“I was inspired by Villarreal, a healthy and quarry club”

Felix Revuelta (1947) was born in Burgos because his mother wanted him to come into the world in his hometown. Raised in Logroño, in 1992 he launched Naturhouse, a diet company that has more than 2,000 franchises in 26 countries. He is also the owner of the Unión Deportiva Logroñés, which will play in the Second Division next year for the first time in its history.

What does the promotion of the Unión Deportiva Logroñés to Segunda mean as a player from La Rioja?

Fulfill a dream. I lived until I was 18 in Logroño and I went to Barcelona. I got into this adventure as an amateur, it was embarrassing to read about the problems of the Club Deportivo Logroñés. Tomás Santos, mayor at the time, asked me for help for handball and volleyball (he sponsored both through Naturhouse). When I went public, it was impossible for me to keep both commitments and I focused on soccer. The story is simple: when the Varea moved up to Segunda B in 2009 I paid its bills. Seeing that they were not going to be able to face the category economically, we took their place and founded the Logroñés Sports Union. At first I wanted to rescue the old Logroñés, who owed about 15 million, and offered three to the Treasury. Not out. I also tried to acquire the shield with the star of David del Logroñés, to no avail. So we had to go our own way. And we have finished it off with the return of a team from La Rioja to professional football 20 years later.

He has always stated that it is a long-term project.

So is. Now we are in Second, the idea is to stay and aspire each season to a little more. I am inspired by the Villarreal of my friend Fernando Roig: a healthy and solid quarry structure, with a strong affiliate and teams from the base to youth, that nurture the first team or that generate benefits. For that we need to build a sports city, for which we have already acquired the land. I do not ask the institutions for anything, only that they do not disturb and allow us to develop our plans.

They played three playoffs for promotion to Second, until the outcome on penalties with Castellón. What does it take to make the jump?

Work and luck. We were robbed against the Hurricane, Sevilla Atlético prepared a lock-up for us, and our starting goalkeeper was injured against Hercules and the substitute was not ready. Against Castellón, the footballers showed quality and personality … and the ball entered the set. Although I did not follow him live, I am old and I do not want a heart attack. I do not go to games, except those who do not risk anything. I get very nervous and you have to save the forms.

How do you think about the first season in Segunda?

We must meet LaLiga's financial requirements and we have undertaken a capital increase of 1.8 million to also increase the budget, which will be around five. Our appraisal will reach 10.8 million euros, with 1.2 in land and without any debt. With this process the idea is that four or five businessmen from La Rioja come, although they have made offers from outside. I want to continue as the owner. Thoroughly lost I will have left a million and a half. This is one of my most complicated bets, and perhaps also the most satisfying. In the business world, two plus two usually add up to four; here, if the ball doesn't fit, bye.

And in sports?

Carlos Lasheras (the sports director) will have to make up the best squad with the money available, there I want to see him and earn the day. Sergio Rodríguez (the coach) is our Molowny, a man of the house. We will sign to improve and I would love to finish in the top ten. Since I came in 2009, and paid in advance because people did not trust the lack of seriousness of the Club Deportivo Logroñés, until now, since the playoff last year we became the team of Logroño and La Rioja, I only intend to attract more fans and climb more steps with ambition and head.