Francisco Liaño

Racing

Born in Santander, Cantabria, Liaño began his football career at hometown's Racing de Santander, where he made his first-team – and La Liga – debut on 9 September 1984. He spent six seasons at the club, successively backing up two fellow youth products, Pedro Alba and José María Ceballos. In his last season with Racing, 1989–90, with the side now in the second division, Liaño only played once in the league, also being relegated. He then transferred to another club in the third level, Sestao Sport Club, where he won his first Ricardo Zamora Trophy, conceding only 28 goals in 38 games as the team finished in eighth position.

Deportivo

Liaño signed for Deportivo de La Coruña in the summer of 1991. Initially he was a backup to Juan Canales, but the latter suffered an injury prior to the start of the season and Liaño played the opening ten matches of the campaign. Both went down with injury later in the season, which prompted third-choice Yosu's promotion to starting duties for 11 contests. Although Canales returned to finish the campaign as number one, he again suffered an injury prior to 1992–93, which gave Liaño another chance in the first team. Now, the team's performances were such that he never lost his status again, winning two consecutive Zamora as Deportivo qualified for the UEFA Cup for the first time in its history, after finishing third. In the following year, he set a first division record by conceding only 18 goals in 38 games – the lowest…