José María Salcines (Chisco)

José María Salcines Corral was born on 25 January 1943 in Peñacastillo, Santander, in Cantabria, Spain. He took the nickname Chisco from his father, Francisco, a transport businessman.

As a boy he played in beach tournaments for a street team from Calle del Sol, then in Racing de Santander's youth sides and for the juniors of Nueva Montaña. He left Cantabria to join CD Condal, the Barcelona affiliate club, from 1961 to 1963, and spent the 1963-64 season at UD Vic. After military service he returned to Santander and joined Rayo Cantabria, Racing's reserve team, in 1964.

Coach Rafael Alsúa promoted Chisco to Racing's first team. He made his debut on 15 May 1965 in a Copa round of 32 match against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, which Racing lost 4-0, and the following season played 26 league matches under Valdor Sierra. A tough, committed left back, he went on to captain the club.

Racing's official record lists 120 appearances for him between 1965 and 1971, 98 in the Segunda División. El Diario Montañés put his total at 189 official matches with nine goals, and noted that he once played 100 consecutive games, making him the first active player to receive the club's gold badge.

He played through a hard period. Racing were relegated to the Tercera División in the 1967-68 restructuring of the Segunda División and missed out on promotion the following season. In 1970 Chisco was a key member of the side coached by Manuel Fernández Mora that won promotion back to the Segunda División, decided at the Santiago Bernabéu by a goal from Aguilar against Ilicitano. His teammates over the years included Portu, Chinchón, Abel, Isidro, the Gento brothers Antonio and Julio, Aguilar and Santillana.

With other Racing players he appeared as an extra in Mario Camus's 1966 film Volver a vivir, starring Raf Vallone. He left Racing in 1971 and played two seasons for Palencia CF before retiring in 1973.

After retiring from football, Chisco founded the coach company Chisco Autocares and worked for it as a driver, taking many Cantabrian teams to local matches. He remained a devoted Racing supporter and kept up his friendships from his playing days. He was married to Carmen Medrano.

Chisco died at his home in Santander on Monday 12 October 2026, aged 83, surrounded by his family. He had lived with a serious illness for several years. Racing announced his death the same day, describing him as the embodiment of the club's spirit, and the President of Cantabria, María José Sáenz de Buruaga, paid tribute. His funeral was scheduled for Wednesday 14 October 2026 in Molledo, Cantabria.

Since 1977 Radio Nacional de España in Cantabria has presented the Trofeo Chisco to the Racing player who shows the most fighting spirit and commitment over the season. It is the oldest of the awards given to Racing players. In 2017 the Association of Racing Supporters' Clubs honoured him at the Gran Hotel Victoria in Santander, and in 2022 he received the Trofeo Chisco himself as an honorary award. The presentation due in the week of his death was kept at his family's request as a tribute to him.