UD Lanzarote went into the Spanish Christmas break on the 18th December with a 4-1 home win versus Tenerife side CD Buzanada sending them to the top of the league. Life looked great…but shocking news was just about to unfold. Ian lane reports.
Despite Lanzarote topping the table (albeit with a very slender lead, as the top four sides were separated by a single point) the club dismissed their manager Leonel “Pipa” Gancedo. Not surprisingly, this was shocking news to many Rojillos fans, though there had been some internal problems and the club decided that it would be beneficial if they parted ways with their manager.
None of the regular players have left the club during the transfer window. In fact there have been two new players joining, as well as the physical trainer and assistant manager who were with the club last season.
As this news settled, Lanzarote played their first match in the New Year away versus 9th placed side CD Herbania. The Fuerteventura side were unbeaten at home and ended Lanzarote´s unbeaten run by winning 2-1. The Rojillos didn’t play badly and, if anything, had tried too hard – however, this defeat only gave fuel for criticism as Lanzarote slipped to fourth spot.
The best way to answer critics in football is to win, and a week later the Rojillos beat playoff hopefuls UD Tamaraceite 1-0 in a tense affair to move up to third spot in the Tercera División (Fifth Tier) and reduce the lead at the top to two points.
We are only at the halfway stage of the season and the players, management and local fans love the support the club receives from all of their foreign supporters. It is simple to get to a match in Arrecife at Ciudad Deportiva stadium.
If you are coming from Costa Teguise or Puerto Del Carmen jump on the number 3 bus which goes back and forth every 30 minutes and it will drop you at the central bus station which is 100 metres from the stadium. From Playa Blanca get on bus no 60 which leaves at 09.55 and returns at either 2,3 or 4pm. Pay at the gate or to avoid any queues buy your tickets in advance at the merchandise shop in Costa Teguise (details below).
FORTHCOMING HOME FIXTURES
Normally it is Sunday at 12 noon but please check.
FEB 4TH: LANZAROTE V UD GRAN TARAJAL
FEB 18TH: LANZAROTE V CLUB ATLÉTICO VICTORIA
MARCH 3RD: LANZAROTE V CD TENERIFE B
WHERE TO BUY CLUB MERCHANDISE?
Go to Lanzarote Football Club (Facebook page) or www.mercancialanzarote.com for info, season ticket & membership details etc. All shirts and other merchandise can be bought at the Teguise market stall on Sundays; online at www.mercancialanzarote.com/shop/ or at the shop in Costa Teguise, which is based at Centro Comercial Nautical, local 25 (up from Decades bar and behind Café Bonjour). The shop is open Mon to Fri 10am to 1pm.
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