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Real Oviedo were not among the founding clubs of the First Division championship in 1929, having lost to Real Betis in the quarter-finals of the classification tournament for the tenth available place. They had to begin their journey in the second tier, taking time to establish themselves in the elite. A significant part of their eventual rise was down to the legendary forward line known as 'La Eléctrica' — the first of three editions that Oviedo's long-suffering supporters would enjoy over the following decade.
The nickname was coined by the journalist "Moncho" who wrote match reports for La Voz de Asturias. With this quintet, Oviedo were the highest-scoring side in the Second Division, and whenever they played at home supporters expected at least five goals.
The attack consisted of "Casuco", Gallart, Lángara, Galé and Inciarte. Julio Fernández "Casuco" was an agile, quick right winger whose driving runs down the flank typically ended with crosses into the box, while on the other flank played Juan Manuel de Inciarte, equally quick but whose greatest virtue was the ingenuity he brought to every action. In the inside positions were Ricardo Gallart — small but combative, hard-working and talented — and Gonzalo Díez Galé, a young prodigy with a fine nose for goal who had been at Real Madrid at 17 before returning to Asturias to continue his studies and later joining Oviedo. Leading the attack was one of the most brilliant strikers in the world: Isidro Lángara. Tall, powerful, strong, capable of finishing from any angle and any position, and possessing enormous shot power. A consummate goalscorer who was completely indifferent to the opposition. His magnificent record includes being the top scorer in three different national championships: in Spain with Oviedo on three consecutive occasions (1934, 1935 and 1936), in Argentina with San Lorenzo de Almagro, and in Mexico with España twice (1944 and 1946).
"Casuco", Gallart, Lángara, Galé and Inciarte at the Buenavista ground
When the Asturian club made their top-flight debut, the second 'Eléctrica' came to life — the most famous and highest-quality of all three editions. The newcomers were Eduardo "Herrerita" and Emilín García, two legends of the blue shirt. Herrerita, freshly signed from Club Gijón in what was then a record transfer, quickly demonstrated why they called him "The Magician". He entranced supporters with a polished, brilliant style — superb ball control, magnificent physical gifts and plays of the highest craft. Alongside him, Emilín made the left flank his own territory, overflowing with quality, dribbling, pinpoint crosses and even direct goals from corners, thanks to the prodigious spin he put on the ball.
This legendary forward line could hardly have had a better debut — the Buenavista stadium against FC Barcelona. Ninety minutes later, Oviedo had overwhelmed the Catalans with a storm of football and goals, winning 7–3. Lángara was, as ever, the most lethal with a hat-trick; Herrerita added a brace, and Gallart got another.
The Asturian ground also saw off Arenas de Getxo and Valencia, both of whom conceded seven, while Español suffered the full force of Lángara at his best in 1935 — five goals from the striker and eight in total from the side managed by Emilio Sampere. In the last season of Spanish football before the Civil War, the second 'Eléctrica' set a record: 63 goals in 22 matches between its five members.
Finally, the third 'Eléctrica' came into being after the terrible conflict that had devastated Spain. The left side remained with Emilín and Herrerita, while the new members up front were Antón Sánchez, "Goyín" Villagrá and Esteban Echevarría. Lángara had emigrated to Argentina, "Casuco" had died, and Gallart — now a veteran — was playing for Lugo.
Antón was the right winger, and in his early days some called him "the other Lángara". Extraordinarily quick with an electric dribble, his shot was so fierce that he once managed to tear the goal net. "Goyín" was an inside forward always surrounded by controversy — but however many players they signed for his position, he always ended up in the team. A grafter and a battler, he was by no means short on technique or skill, and his greatest strength was heading. The centre-forward role belonged to Echevarría, who faced the daunting task of replacing Lángara. Effective and possessed of a brilliant shot, his career was on the rise until he was hit by a car and forced to spend a long spell on the sidelines. He fought his way back with great determination, though never quite recapturing his previous prolificacy.
The five members made a devastating debut at the Nervión ground in November 1942. Apart from Emilín, all four other attackers scored as they won 5–0 in Seville, with the great goalkeeper Busto powerless to stop them. A year later at Buenavista, Oviedo supporters witnessed more hammerings to remember. In the space of barely a month, Español and Sabadell came to visit — conceding six and nine respectively. Echevarría was in outstanding form, scoring four against Español, while Antón added a hat-trick and Herrerita a brace against Sabadell.
The third 'Eléctrica's' last great afternoon in Spanish football came in 1947. With Echevarría miraculously recovered from injury, they swept Real Madrid aside in a match that Oviedo's most veteran supporters still recall to this day. Madrid, with one of the toughest defences in the country in Corona and Clemente, were helpless against the home side's talent and accuracy. Echevarría scored five for the second time in his career and Herrerita chipped in with two more beautifully taken goals to seal a magical 7–1.
"Antón", "Goyín", Echevarría, "Herrerita" and "Emilín"
