Armed only with a compact pocket camera, rusty Spanish, an emergency €5 in his shoe and a desire to get in the thick of it, Danny Last attempted to unearth some of the magic of Rayo Vallecano and the fans who follow this working-class club in the proud district of "Vallekas".

WARNING: Although Rayo played Barcelona on this occasion there are no images of Messi contained within the gallery. Or Xavi. 

Step this way for 'The Magic of Rayo Vallecano' IBWM gallery.

Danny Last is on Instagram.