GENERAL UPDATE, 21st June 2018,

GENERAL UPDATE,   21st June 2018,

U.D. Lanzarote is proud to report that manager Maxi Barrera has renewed his contract with the club for one more season.

This is possibly the greatest signing of this season as the 36 year old manager has had a great first season with the club and in such a short time has created a great rapport with the players and fans.

As always there will be players that will be leaving the club but there is absolutely no doubt that players will want to play for Maxi and he will be a magnet for the club.

The 36 year old Gran Canarian will also be much more involved with the junior categories which can only be good for the clubs future. His first job will be to talk to existing players and begin the process of signing a team.

It was great to meet two England F.A. coaches Antony and Peter whose immediate boss is England manager Gareth Southgate. They observed a couple of training sessions and were hugely impressed with Maxi and the quality of player we have at the club.

I often get asked what category Lanzarote would be compared to in England. Football is all about opinion; whether it is the laws of the game or the team you follow. I believe Lanzarote would be comparable to a good conference side but the two England coaches said that they travel throughout the UK and believed the Rojillos would be comparable to a League two side. It’s all about opinions because nothing can be proved though I would tend to listen to their professional opinion.

I had a great evening with the two lads and they did tell me that they would try and invite me to an England match. I told them that I would even be happy if I started on the bench.

Pre season normally commences mid July with the first pre season games coming at the end of that month. The more notable tournaments take place early August with the first league game normally taking place mid to late August. Fixtures usually come out mid to late July and will be posted both on Facebook Lanzarote football club and website www.lanzarotefootball.com.

I will be at the Puerto Del Carmen Friday and the Sunday Teguise markets with all of the products including replica shirts in all sizes and colours as well as scarves, caps etc. Both markets are between 9.30am and 2pm.

Our thoughts and best wishes go out to former Lanzarote player Maykel Padrón. Last week the ex Rojillo midfielder began suffering with headaches, he went to the A and E department on the island and was immediately admitted as a patient.

It is believed that the 34 year old suffered a small stroke and has been sent to Gran Canaria for further tests. Maykel played for Lanzarote in Segunda B (third tier) and was involved in many of Lanzarote´s cup classic matches.

Maykel intended to return to lower league island football this forthcoming season. I am sure that we all wish him a speedy recovery and hopefully to get back into those boots.

On an absolute tragic note open water swimming champion 18 year old Alejandro Candela passed away suddenly last Tuesday.

The local boy had some lunch on the Tuesday and felt tired so went to rest in bed. Terribly it was the last time the young man closed his eyes as he never woke up.  It is thought that he suffered a heart attack.

Having children of around that age myself I cannot bear to think of the pain his family and friends are going through right now. My heart, soul and spirit are with you all. Rest in peace young man!