Peru. The complicated Second Level championship was won by the little known Gonzales Prada. Good for the general record, but the club was not promoted. Instead, Atletico Torino (Tallara) won promotion.
Standing from left: Luis Vitonera, René Seminario, Ricardo “Morro” Valladares, Walter Valladares, Carlos “Pay” Peña, Dioses.
First row: NN, Freddy “Avispa” Peña, Francisco “Paco” Montero, Félix Suárez, Humberto “Toby” Correa.
A nice return to the top division, but the ‘why’ is a bit obscure: there was no relegation this year in the First Division, because it was extended to 17 teams for the next championship. Either the decision for extension was made late, or there was still relegation, but after a play-off. A relegation tournament was played in the top league, there was a loser, and it played a play-off against Atletico Torino. But no… the play-off was played: between Deportivo Junin, last in First Division and the winner of the Amateur Departamental Champion of the region to which Deportivo Junin beloneged – Castilla. Deportivo Junin won 5-0 and 2-0, and kept its top flight place. So… why Atletico Torino moved up and the Second level champion Gonzales Prada did not is a mystery. Most likely, money was the reason: only first division clubs were called ‘professional’ and the rest of Peruvian football was ‘amateur’. Financial regulations may have been the decisive reason – Atletico Torino was a professional club. Others may have been been short on cash. The vast number of Peruvian clubs were and are unknown to the world – as it is generally with lower-level clubs in every country. Clubs like
Deportivo Anda Aucayacu and
Deportivo Cantolao kicked the ball in the vast lower levels, hidden from the world’s attention. Atletico Torino was another thing altogether – and went up to its more familiar grounds and opponents.