( CNN ) -- Over the past five years evictions have become a symbol of Spain 's economic crisis , but the latest homeowner to face the prospect of homelessness -- an 85-year-old woman -- has found an unlikely guardian angel . One of the poorest football teams in Spain 's top division , Madrid club Rayo Vallecano , has promised to help Carmen Martinez Ayuso find a new apartment after she was evicted by her landlord . From the Vallecas district of the Spanish capital , Ayuso had lived in the apartment for half a century but could n't pay the rent after her son had used her home as collateral on a loan he was then unable to repay . According to statistics published by the Bank of Spain , 1,218 evictions took place between January and June 2014 -- an increase of 17 % from the same period in the previous year . Back in 2012 it 's estimated that there were up to 200 evictions a day as Spain suffered the consequences of a housing bubble that burst after the housing market crashed in 2007-2008 , while unemployment also soared . Ayuso 's story grabbed the attention of the club with fans holding aloft a banner which read `` Rayo against evictions '' in a recent league match . `` I know that there are lots of cases like hers , '' Rayo coach Paco Jemez told reporters . `` The worst thing that can happen to a family is when they evict you from your home , '' added Jemez . `` This is a lady who lived in her home for 50 years and due to her doing an honorable act -- being the guarantor of her son , which everyone in the world would undoubtedly do . '' Jemez has been in touch with Ayuso , who according to Spanish media , was unaware of the $ 50,000 loan her son had taken out . He promised it was n't just him that would try and help Ayuso , but that the `` the coaching staff , the players , the club '' would also become involved . Jemez added : `` Within our ability , we will help this lady and give her a hand so that she finds a place to live with dignity and so she does n't feel alone . `` I 'm very proud we can lend her a hand . I 'd like to help more people , but that 's impossible . `` What is within our power , we will do . Also , we will start an initiative so that anyone who wants to help will have the ability to lend a hand . We are very sensitive to this and what happened to her could happen to anyone . '' Rayo has an annual budget of around $ 8.6 million -- a total which is incomparable to that of its big city neighbor Real Madrid which has a cool $ 720 million at its disposal . Speaking to Spanish newspaper Marca , Ayuso praised the club for the `` beautiful gesture . '' She added : `` A thousand times thank you , God bless them , '' she said . `` It 's a beautiful gesture that they did n't need to do and Viva el Rayo ! `` If I see [ Paco Jemez ] I 'll give him 40 kisses . But the only time I 've seen him was during the neighborhood fairs . `` We always supported Rayo in this family . I remember when we used to go to the swimming pools , which were right next to the stadium . But now we have different motivations to support them . `` I 'm certain my husband is showing his gratitude in heaven . ''
Rayo Vallecano to help find new apartment for 85-year-old . La Liga club moved to help following eviction . Carmen Martinez Ayuso had lived in the apartment for 50 years . Statistics show that 1,218 evictions took place between January and June 2014 .