UD Lanzarote start their season at home on 10th September with a new manager and several new faces. Ian Lane reports.
There have been many changes in personnel at UD Lanzarote over the summer but none more notable than our new 52-year-old Argentinian manager, Leonel “Pipa” Gancedo
Pipa has had an incredible playing career, making his debut in the top flight of Argentine football with Argentine Juniors at 19 years of age. At 23 he signed for one of the most recognized clubs in world football, River Plate. Pipa spent five incredible years with the Mighty River winning five domestic trophies, including the Copa Libertadores – South America’s equivalent to European Champions’ League.
The very calm Argentine then moved to Spain and played in La Liga with Osasuna and Real Murcia for four seasons. He continued playing football at a good level until the age of 47 and even watching him in training now it seems that he could still do a job on the pitch.
Undoubtedly, his football pedigree is top class and even in his very short spell in management he managed to win promotion for his first club in Argentina, C.A.I. Patagonia. Pipa has only been on Lanzarote for a few months but he has, like so many of us, already fallen in love with the island.
There have been many new signings, although four of those players have previously played for the club and have immediately gelled back into the team.
Alongside many of the experienced players, including the league’s top scorer Di Renzo and our four club captains, are several Argentine youngsters ranging from 19 to 22 years of age who were all in the junior sides or B team for River Plate, Boca Juniors or San Lorenzo. These youngsters have been given a gateway into Spanish football and are all eager to impress and further their careers. Exciting times lie ahead!
SEASON TICKETS
Season tickets are available from our shop in Costa Teguise at CC Nautical, Local 25 (up from Decades Bar and behind Cafeteria Oppa) open Mon-Fri 10am to 1pm and also Weds 5-7pm; Davinia at the club in Arrecife at Calle Isleño 4, open Mon – Fri 10 am to noon (also Tues & Thurs 6-8pm). In the Old Town in Puerto Del Carmen David will have them in the Irish Harbour Bar and Brendan in Dicey Reillys both available from 8pm until 2am. Prices are:
Adults 75€ (16-64 yrs). For an extra 20€ become a Socio (member)
Pensioners 50€ (65 yrs+) For an extra 15€ become a Socio (member)
Under 16s Free
GATE PRICES
(There’s no need to reserve tickets, just pay on the gate)
Adult 10€ (Residents 7€)
Pensioners 8€ (Residents 5€)
Under 16s Free
For an adult season ticket, the 17 matches work out at 4.41€ per match and for a pensioner just under 3€. Season tickets are available to everyone, residents or not.
FORTHCOMING HOME FIXTURES (normally it is Sunday at 12 noon but please check)
SEPTEMBER 10TH: LANZAROTE V UD TEROR BALOMPIÉ
SEPTEMBER 24TH: LANZAROTE V SAN BARTOLOMÉ CF (DERBY MATCH)
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.
For regular updates, pictures and videos of Lanzarote be sure to like and follow our Facebook page “Gazette Life Lanzarote”.
