Lanzarote says goodbye to Ayoze Pérez

UD Lanzarote finished the 2024/25 season in sixth spot, one position and one point outside the playoff places so will once again be playing in the RFEF 3 (fifth tier) next season, reports Ian Lane.

All was going well going into the New Year with the Rojillos (The Reds) sitting in third spot, only three points off the league leaders UD Las Palmas B and five points clear of dropping out of the playoff positions.

But football has a way of humbling you quickly and in the next five matches Lanzarote only took two points and slipped into sixth place and out of the playoff places. In the final matches of the season there was a huge improvement but it was all too little and too late.

A good home crowd turned out on 11th May for the last fixture of the season despite there being nothing to play for. This was largely because of Lanzarote’s captain Ayoze Pérez playing his final game for the club after 403 appearances in the RFEF 3.

It was an emotional goodbye with the club arranging a special presentation at the halftime interval. In the 57th minute the number 21 was called from the bench, the referee sportingly allowed both teams to form a guard of honour for the 38 year-old and Ayoze’s time as a Rojillo player officially came to an end.

Another hugely popular and long-term player Raúl Fernández won the “Nina Gil” fans’ player of the season and was presented this by former Lanzarote legend Maciot Dévora and long term fan Mike Prendergast.

The fixtures for next season are usually released in late July with the first match in early September.

Our merchandise shop based in Costa Teguise is open throughout the summer (details below) with all home, away, third shirts as well as training kits, polos and lots of other souvenirs available at great prices. Our market stall in at Teguise market is open every Sunday morning in the main square opposite the public toilets.

For more info go to www.lanzarotefootball.com, Lanzarote Football Club on Facebook, email info@mercancialanzarote.com or call Ian on 649 963 943.

Strips can be bought at the club stall at Teguise Market on Sunday mornings or at the Club Shop in Costa Teguise, CC Nautico, local 25 (opposite Pueblo Marinero and behind Café Oppa.) The shop is open 10 am to 1pm Mon-Fri and also 5pm-7pm on Weds.