- He played as a forward in the Barrio Obrero team at the age of 21. Two years later, in 1948, he went to try out for Alianza, where he convinced coach Adelfo Magallanes. Salinas earned his place from the start thanks to his bravery and powerful mid-range shot. Salinas' shot was memorable - according to some, he even hit it harder than ‘Lolo’ Fernandez - and thanks to it he earned the nickname that immortalized him. Playing in Piura, he took a shot that was saved by the rival goalkeeper, who complained on the ground and said “oh, how ugly he kicks this one”. Since then, Juan Emilio Salinas became known as ‘El Feo’ (The Ugly One).
- Among many other things that are told about his shooting, it is said that one day against Sport Boys he had to kick a free kick. He hit the ball so hard that when it hit defender Juan Mostto, he was deprived.
- During his eight years at Alianza, Salinas played 127 First Division matches and scored 102 goals, which still keeps him as the striker with the best goal average in an intima jersey (0.8 per match). He enjoyed the support of teammates such as Óscar ‘Huaqui’ Gómez Sánchez, Félix Castillo and Emilio Vargas, with whom he had a wonderful understanding.