A BRIEF REVIEW OF THE SEASON AND THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED

The season may have not had the ending that we were all hoping for but it would have to be a hard person to criticize the effort, determination and focus of the players and training staff for all their hard work over the course of the campaign.

Lanzarote stuttered in their opening two matches of the new season and earned just a single point leaving them in the relegation zone but of course this was early days.

The Rojillos bounced back and by the end of the first round of games they were sitting in the final playoff position of fifth spot.

Unfortunately Lanzarote’s reliable defence was torn in half as centre back Matheus and left back Cedenilla left the club in the January transfer window.

There is little doubt that this was one of the reasons that Lanzarote lost their next four matches and seemingly looked out of contention for a playoff finish.

A late goal from Captain Raúl to level against the league’s future champions CD Mensajero on the 12th February reignited the Rojillos playoff ambitions.

Seven wins and four draws in their final 11 matches not only saw Lanzarote reach the playoffs but they climbed the league table ending the season in second position.

Going into the playoffs the Rojillos were regarded as favourites but as we all know in knockout matches recent form means very little.

A 1-0 away defeat in the first leg to Gran Canarian side UD Villa Santa Brígida on the 30th April was a disappointing result. A week later in front of a 2500 home crowd Lanzarote could only muster up a 1-1 draw which saw the Rojillos season come to a crushing end.

Each person will have to make their own assessment to whether it has been a good season. Reaching the playoffs for UD Lanzarote is usually a minimum requirement but these past three seasons have tested the patience of the management, players and every supporter to the full.

Last season the Spanish Football Federation decided to restructure the league and an incredible amount of seven teams were harshly relegated.

Relegating almost half the league was a poor decision from the Spanish Football Federation especially as two of the three teams from this season that should have been relegated have been given a reprieve as the Federation has decided the league will return to 18 clubs. Only bottom club Estrella CF have dropped to the Regional Preferente league.

Last season Lanzarote had only avoided relegation by a single goal yet they were only four points adrift from a playoff finish which makes a bit of a mockery of the decision making of the Federation.

On a positive note, next season there will be another local club in the Tercera Division (Fifth Tier). San Bartolomé CF celebrating their 50th anniversary have been bordering on promotion over the past couple of seasons and with their experienced manager Juan Antonio Machín at their helm they deservedly won promotion for the first time in their clubs history last weekend. It is an enormous achievement which can only benefit local football.

What has made this season special has been the return of the fans. UD Lanzarote had the harshest restrictions out of all the clubs in Spain during the pandemic and it was only at the beginning of this season that all restrictions were lifted.

It may sound ridiculous but the club had to fight tooth and nail for the return of the refreshment kiosk. Prior to this, tourists visiting matches on a hot day naturally just expected refreshments to be sold in the stadium but the reality was that the club was not allowed to open the canteen and a tourist couldn’t even buy themselves a bottle of water. The politicians responsible should hang their heads in shame. That is no way to treat guests visiting the islands premier team.

The problems of the past two seasons have been slowly pushed aside and what has been inspiring is the help we receive from fans wishing to push the club forward.

People such as Jacci and Pilar are there every match day selling raffle tickets for the halftime draw and this is an important revenue for the club.

I would also like to thank Nigel and Lorraine Busby for always checking my reports and updates ,whether it’s poor spelling or on occasions wrong information, I am grateful to you both for informing me of any errors.

My friends Martin and Sarah from Colorworks have generously supplied the posters for free for the past 10 years which are pinned up in the bars in Costa Teguise and Puerto Del Carmen. It’s pretty time consuming and energy sapping covering all those bars however a huge thanks to Dave Bateman who covers part of PDC which helps me out enormously.

There are plenty of other people to thank including all the sponsors, fans and our superb photographer Chus Romero. Two massively important friends of mine who are invaluable to the club are fellow directors David Timmons and Brendan Byrne.

The three of us have little say on who the club sign or fire, if we did the club would be doomed, however those boys put their hands in their pockets when it’s necessary and also organize fund raising events as well as being a great source of information of when matches are being played etc.

David got involved with the club officially three years ago and at the worst possible time with restrictions for the club in their prime. Brendan was always helping in the background but became a director last year and these two men have totally gained the respect from their fellow directors and the club President. Personally I am loving having the craic with the two Irish boys.

Our manager Mateo García on occasions had been heavily criticized by understandably frustrated fans but this season he has shown the players, management and fans his true colours of being a fine coach and a total gentleman.

Nobody works harder at UD Lanzarote than our husband and wife couple César and Davinia. Their efforts are all behind the scenes but nobody in this club deserves as much respect as these two warriors.

It would be impossible for me to dedicate so much time to the club if it wasn’t for our customers who visit our shop in Costa Teguise or the market stall in Teguise to buy merchandise so to all of you, thanks.

Many of you would have met my wife Anna who is normally in the shop and does like to keep a low profile but without her support and hard work I would have crumbled years ago.

I would also like to thank our President Juan Carlos Albuixech. He became President just before the pandemic and has had to battle to keep the club afloat during difficult times with little help from the authorities.

On occasions he has had to dig deep into his own pockets to avoid the ship heading into rocky shores.

A football club is nothing without its fans. On behalf of everyone at UD Lanzarote I would like to thank every person who has come to see a match and also from all the support from the overseas supporters.

Often fans come up with ideas how to raise funds and this is appreciated however none of the directors get paid and time is limited as we have our own businesses to run.

Recently I spoke to one long term fan who mentioned businesses or private people could sponsor individually the shirt, shorts and socks of each squad player. This is a superb idea and I would give it my full backing as I believe would the club. If anyone would like to be in charge of this idea or has any other ideas that they would like to take forward I would love to hear from you.

As there will be 18 teams in our league I expect the season to begin late August/ early September. Prices of season tickets are yet to be discussed though I’m sure that they will be available in early August.

Our shop in Costa Teguise at CC Nautical, Local 25 (behind Café Bonjour) will be open throughout the summer with its normal opening hours of Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and also every Wednesday from 5-7pm.

The merchandise stall at the Teguise market will be open every Sunday 9.30am to 2pm.

A few days ago one of Lanzarote’s finest ever players Oscar Vladimir (Vladi) announced his retirement. Vladi began his football as a child with Haria CF and ended his footballing days with his local club at the age of 42. He played for various local clubs and also had stints with UD Levante and Puertollano CF but his heart has always been with Haria CF and UD Lanzarote. He will always be remembered in local folklore history for scoring the goal versus the Mighty Real Madrid to take the Rojillos into the halftime break 1-1 with the Galacticos back in 2001.

It is an honour and a privilege to work alongside UD Lanzarote and all of their fans. It is not always an easy ride but living on a paradise island and working with football is a dream come true and I will never forget that.

I hope that you all have a great summer and I look forward to seeing you all at the beginning of the 2023/24 season.

Ian