SpanishFootballerReal MadridReferee

Manuel Prast

Manuel Prast was a Spanish footballer and referee, a key striker for Madrid FC during its early success, winning four Copa del Rey titles and co-founding Spain's first referee college.

1. Overview

Manuel Prast Rodríguez de Llano (Manuel Prast y Rodríguez de LlanoSpanish) was a prominent Spanish footballer and referee. He is primarily recognized for his significant contributions as a striker for Madrid FC (now Real Madrid) during its amateur beginnings, playing a pivotal role in the club's unprecedented four consecutive Copa del Rey titles between 1905 and 1908. Prast was a prolific goalscorer, netting crucial goals in three of these finals, including the winning goals in 1905 and 1907. After his playing career, he transitioned to football refereeing and was instrumental in establishing the first referee college in Spain. Beyond his sporting achievements, Prast was also an entrepreneur, managing his family's confectionery business, Confitería Prast. Despite his substantial impact on early Spanish football, his legend has somewhat faded in historical accounts.

2. Early Life and Background

Manuel Prast's early life was marked by his family's established business and his eventual involvement in its operations, alongside his burgeoning football career.

2.1. Birth and Family

Manuel Prast Rodríguez de Llano was born in Madrid, Madrid Province, in 1876. He passed away on December 1, 1973, also in Madrid. He was closely associated with his family's confectionery business, which he managed alongside his brothers, including Carlos Prast, who later became the mayor of Madrid.

2.2. Business Activities

Prast was the owner and operator of the family business, Confitería Prast, a confectionery founded by his father. He took charge of the business along with his brothers, demonstrating an entrepreneurial spirit that ran parallel to his sporting endeavors. This dual commitment to both business and football was a notable aspect of his life.

3. Playing Career

Manuel Prast had a distinguished career as a footballer, primarily known for his prolific goalscoring and leadership at Madrid FC, though he also had a brief stint with Real Sociedad.

3.1. Madrid FC / Real Madrid

Prast joined Madrid FC, the club that would later become Real Madrid, and played as a striker in two distinct periods: between 1904 and 1908, and again from 1911 to 1914. He was a foundational figure in the team's early success, being one of the main architects behind their footballing power in the 1900s. He quickly became one of the club's first prominent goalscoring figures, eventually becoming its all-time top scorer at the time of his retirement in 1914, a record later surpassed by contemporaries such as Santiago Bernabéu.

Prast was a key member of the historic Madrid FC side of the 1900s, which included other notable players like José Berraondo, Pedro Parages, the Yarza brothers (Manuel and Joaquín), and Federico Revuelto. He scored six goals in the Copa del Rey finals alone, contributing decisively to Madrid's four consecutive Copa del Rey titles. His most important goal came in the 1905 Copa del Rey Final, where he netted the only goal of the match to secure the club's first-ever title. He also scored a brace in the 1906 Copa del Rey Final and again the sole winning goal in the 1907 Copa del Rey Final. He remained loyal to the club until his retirement in 1914. There is a period between the 1911 and 1912 seasons where chronicles about his footballing activities are lost, with possible reasons including military service, completing studies in England or France, or focusing on the family business.

3.2. Real Sociedad

In addition to his time at Madrid FC, Manuel Prast also played three matches for Real Sociedad during the 1909-10 season. This included a Copa del Rey match, which was the final of the 1910 Copa del Rey (UECF) against Athletic Bilbao. Real Sociedad participated in this tournament under the name of a local club, Vasconia Sporting Club, due to the regulations of the time. Unlike his impactful performances with Madrid FC, Prast was unable to influence the outcome of this match, which Vasconia SC lost 1-0 to Athletic Bilbao, with the decisive goal scored by Remigio Iza.

His other two matches for Real Sociedad were in the inaugural edition of the Pyrenees Cup. He featured in the semi-finals against Stade toulousain at Ondarreta Stadium on April 17, 1910, where his team secured an 8-0 victory. Although Real Sociedad lost the final 2-1 to FC Barcelona, Prast scored Real Sociedad's consolation goal in the 30th minute, following a pass from George McGuinness.

3.3. Career Achievements and Statistics

Throughout his playing career, Manuel Prast amassed a total of nine official titles. He scored a total of eight goals in the Copa del Rey competition, with six of these being scored in the finals themselves. His contributions were particularly significant in the Copa del Rey, where he played in all four consecutive finals that Madrid FC won between 1905 and 1908. He also won five regional championships in the central region, which served as the qualifying tournament for the national cup. At the time of his retirement in 1914, he held the record as Madrid FC's all-time top scorer.

4. Refereeing Career

After concluding his playing career, Manuel Prast transitioned into football refereeing, playing a crucial role in the formalization of officiating in Spain. He was among the five individuals who established the College of Referees of the Central Regional Federation, which marked the formation of the first College of Referees in Spain. The College was officially constituted on April 15, 1914, with Prast being elected as its inaugural president.

However, Prast resigned from the presidency just a few weeks later, on May 9, to become one of the first category referees. In this capacity, his primary responsibility was to officiate matches in the Campeonato Regional Centro and, when available, the Copa del Rey. Notably, he refereed the decisive tiebreaker match of the 1913 Copa del Rey Final (FEF) between Racing Club de Irún and Athletic Club, a match that Racing Club de Irún won 1-0.

5. Honours

Manuel Prast achieved significant team honours during his football playing career, primarily with Madrid FC.

;Real Madrid

  • Campeonato Regional Centro:
    • Champions: 1904-05, 1905-06, 1906-07, 1907-08, 1912-13
  • Copa del Rey:
    • Champions: 1905, 1906, 1907, 1908

6. Assessment and Legacy

Manuel Prast is regarded as one of the most important footballers in the amateur beginnings of Madrid FC. He was a central figure in the team's rise to prominence in the 1900s, being a main architect of their early footballing dominance. His prolific goalscoring, particularly his decisive contributions in the Copa del Rey finals, cemented his place in the club's early history. At the time of his retirement in 1914, he held the distinction of being the club's all-time top scorer, a testament to his consistent performance.

Despite his undeniable impact and contributions to Madrid FC's foundational success, historical accounts suggest that the legend of Prast has somewhat blurred over time. Nevertheless, his role in securing the club's first major titles and establishing its early reputation remains a significant part of Spanish football history.

7. Death

Manuel Prast Rodríguez de Llano passed away on December 1, 1973, in Madrid, Madrid Province.