The season 2013/14 is up and running
24th August 2013
The Spanish league kicks off a little differently to the British leagues. The Primera (Premier) and Segunda A (Championship) began on the weekend of the 17th August then a week later the lower divisions begin their campaign.
After averaging 4.5 goals at every home match but with a disappointing 14th placed finish last season the Rojillos (The Reds) manager Adolfo Pérez can have great optimism this time around after a good pre season suffering just one loss.
Players come and go but many of Lanzarote´s fans will be delighted that top goal scorer Rosmen and ex Real Madrid player Jotha have both resigned pledging another season in a Lanzarote shirt.
Only one of the British brother’s remains and that is the exciting 21 year old winger Ryan Macphee. The locally born British lad joined in January and with his lightning pace and never say die attitude, he instantly became a fan favourite. Unfortunately Ryan has been carrying a slight injury so it may be a game or two until we see him.
Ryans brother Jamie has moved on to the ever improving Club Puerto del Carmen. Jamie joined U.D.Lanzarote the same time as his brother last January. He was brought in to bolster up a defence which had been leaking like the Titanic. For the first few matches Jaime was unable to play due to injury but gradually Lanzarote´s defence improved and his chances were limited therefore he has decided to move on and play regular football. We all wish him all the best but I do have a feeling this won’t be the last we see of him as the door according to his ex Rojillo manager is always open.
Joining Ryan is 19 year old Louis Kennedy. Kennedy as he is known in the Spanish circle has impressed pre season and possesses a class touch, good pace and has the knack of creating time on the ball. Louis arrived on the island as a baby from Newton Heath and once he has built up his frame of his body, his potential is frightening. Both Ryan and Louis live in Tias and have been friends for as long as they can remember. Great news is that Louis has just been selected in the 16 man squad to fly to Tenerife for the opening match this Sunday.
Temperamental winger Toñito has decided to remain with Lanzarote after turning down an offer from a Segunda B club. This is wonderful for Lanzarote as on his day there is no one better on the pitch than Lanzarote´s number 11.
Another lad to look out for is 19 year old Nani. This boy loves taking on players and has electric pace which has already interested clubs at a higher level.
At least the first couple of home games will be played at the stadium of Tias due to the resurfacing of the new 253,000 Euro astro turf in Arrecife. The Rojillos have fond memories of Tias when they played some great football 10 years ago beating Sergio Ramos´s Sevilla B team by 4-0 on their way to great league and cup success. Unfortunately they lost out on promotion to Segunda A (The Championship) that season when a certain Roberto Soldado ended the play off dream with a hat trick in a 3-1 win for his former club Real Madrid B. A great signing for Spurs he will prove to be.
Travelling to Tias on local transport is fairly easy. Funnily enough even though Puerto Del Carmen is closer the bus runs easier from Costa Teguise. Always check on Facebook or on here a day or two before the match for confirmation of date and kick off time. It can and does alter.
If it is confirmed on a Sunday and it is a noon kick off (which it normally is) then from Costa Teguise you would jump on the local bus by 10.30am for the 15 minute journey to the Arrecife bus station. On arriving at the bus station you walk a few yards to Platform 6 and jump on bus L 60 to Tias. The bus leaves at 11am and the 15-20 minute journey has one stop off in Playa Honda and then you get off the bus at Tias Centro and the football ground is 200 yards away just past the Ayuntamiento (Town Hall). The game should finish just before 2pm and to return you go back to Tias Centro and the bus leaves to Arrecife at 2.32pm. Each journey costs 1.35 Euros and children under 4 years travel for free.
Travelling from Puerto Del Carmen, the bus number 34 travels from both Biosfera shopping centre and Flora/Balcon del Mar apartments and leaves at 11am. The 15 minute journey will drop you off directly outside the Tias football stadium. Unfortunately I forgot to check the return journey. Either way Puerto Del Carmen is close to Tias so if there are a few of you travelling a taxi would not be a bad or too expensive option.
After speaking with the players and management they are extremely excited with the ever growing expat support. Adolfo said to me that “Lanzarote are the envy of other Tercera Division (fourth tier) clubs with their support” and urges all expats and tourists to come and lend their voice. Any young supporters wearing the Lanzarote shirt are welcome to run on the pitch with the players for the team photo.
Lanzarote are not the only team on this island to play in this league. U.S. Yaiza had a fantastic season and won the play off final after losing the first leg. The first derby match is in Yaiza on the 6th Oct and it is in Yaiza.
Season tickets for all 19 home games are a bargain at 50 Euros adults, 30 Euros Pensioners, Children 15 and under are admitted free. Remember if you don’t attend the game you can lend your ticket to a friend. Gate prices remain the same at 5 Euros adults and 3 Euros for Pensioners.
Let’s all hope for a great season
Ian
