Villarreal CF captain Gerard Moreno wore a fan-designed armband during the match against Real Betis. The piece was created by José Contreras, a supporter from Moncofa, as part of the club's Endavant Província initiative to strengthen ties with towns across Castellón. His design was selected from nearly 80 submissions and was the first of 18 chosen by the club.

José Contreras, a long-time Villarreal fan, saw his design feature blue tones from Moncofa's municipal emblem, depicting a boat with fishermen and the town's commemorative tower. An initial image of Santa María Magdalena was removed due to restrictions on religious concepts.

"I am a Villarreal CF fan and for me it has been a pride that the captain wore the armband designed by me," Contreras said. He was invited to La Cerámica, where he was received in the VIP area and box. There he met club legend and current ambassador Marcos Senna, as well as Moncofa's mayor, Wences Alós, and councillor María Teresa Alemany. He received a commemorative copy of the armband as a memento.

An unforgettable experience

Contreras highly valued the treatment he received. "They received me magnificently, they gave me a commemorative copy of the armband and I was in the VIP zone, in the VIP box." he stated. The amateur designer acknowledged the creative process required adjustments. "I had the design in my mind, but when it comes to putting it on a template you always have to tweak things," he noted. He is convinced the final result is good and that it will always be part of Villarreal CF's history.

The Endavant Província initiative is a Villarreal CF project to build stronger links with localities across the Castellón province. Through elements like this armband, the club brings its identity closer to municipalities and recognises the support of its fans spread throughout the region. The team, currently sitting ninth in La Liga with 8 points, aims to consolidate this local connection as it prepares for sporting challenges.

Villarreal CF arrives at this moment following a 3-1 win over Levante in their last home match. With two consecutive league victories, the team now faces a break before travelling to Madrid to face fourth-placed Real Madrid on October 10. Moreno's gesture of wearing the Moncofa armband symbolises this community bond at a key point in the campaign.

Background and full detail: El Periódico Mediterráneo