Marco Asensio probably one of the best players to come out of the Balearic Islands was back in Mallorca this week doing some pre-season preparation at Real Mallorca’s training ground, Son Biblioni. Marco is another player who like Pablo Ramon, who i talked about last week has come up from local youth football. He started at Playas de Calvia, moved to Real Mallorca and then was transferred to Real Madrid. He loves Mallorca and kindly signed a shirt for my boys a couple of years ago.
Another great local story is Carlos Vicens who was born in Colonia de San Jordi in Mallorca and was the academy director and assistant manager at CD Llosetense. He has just been promoted to Head Coach of Manchester City’s U-18 team. He joined City in 2017 and he initially worked with the U12s and U13s before becoming assistant to Gareth Taylor for the U18s for the last two seasons. The team were top of the table when the season was prematurely ended because of coronavirus in March. At the end of May, it was announced that Taylor was leaving his position with the U18s to become manager of Manchester City Women. It’s a great achievement and another success story for the island.
Real Mallorca’s fixtures are out for the 2020/21 season. They start at home to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday September 13th at 16.00. Their first away game the following Sunday at 16.00 is interestingly against Espanyol managed by their former boss Vincente Moreno which should be a feisty one. That’s then followed by two home games against Sabadell and Tenerife. Since last week they have played three friendlies against La Liga side Levante losing 2-1 and 2-0 wins against La Liga 2 opponents Tenerife and Castellón, which is promising. It has been announced that the “Trofeu Ciutat de Palma” which is normally the official kick off to the season has been cancelled. This normally includes an introduction of the squad to the crowd followed by a game against an invited team. With the current COVID situation and the fact there can’t be any spectators the club have decided to cancel it this year.
11,000 season ticket holders have renewed their tickets and as of Tuesday new applications are being taken. The Lluis Sitjar behind the goal is now full which is great news. Worth remembering that with Mallorca one of the favourites for promotion this season, that anyone who has a ticket this season will get first choice for one next season if they do go up.
As well as the Segunda division fixtures being announced, the Segunda B was announced too. Now to say this is confusing is an understatement but I’m going to try and explain. There are 102 teams divided into 3 groups of 10 and 2 groups of 11 and then divided into 10 sub-groups. Actually after reading it and trying to get my head around it I’m not going to bother as it’s far too complicated! I will try and get a simpler version.
Atlético Baleares have been drawn in Group 5 sub-group A with UD Poblense and CDA Navalcarnero, Rayo Majadahonda, Atlético Madrid B, Getafe B, Las Rozas CF, Real Madrid Castilla, Dux Internacional de Madrid, UD San Sebastián de Los Reyes,
UD Ibiza and Penya Deportiva have been drawn in Group 3 Sub-Group B along with Alcoyano, Atletico Levante, Atzeneta UE, CF La Nucía, Hercules de Alicante, Orihuela CF, Valencia Mestalla, Villareal B.
Baleares have released their new kit. It’s blue and white striped but with more stripes this year.
They have also launched their season ticket campaign. Renewals of season tickets from last season started on Tuesday until the 14th of September. New applications will be taken from September 28th and tickets can be ordered online or at their other stadium at Son Malferit near to Ikea. Their website is very good, in English and explains everything really well.
Goalkeeper Kellyan García has joined UD Ibiza on loan from Malaga. Penya Deportiva have signed attacking midfielder Nico Contesa from Real Betis. The 19 year old comes on a season long loan. Centre forward Antonio Lopez has joined on a free transfer from CyD Leonesa.
The start of pre-season has been changed countless times at my sons club CD San Francisco. Due to the Government and the Football Federation protocols they have now been given the go ahead. Hopefully these dates won’t be moved.
The Juveniles have been training for nearly a month now. The Cadetes will start on September 7th, Infantiles on the 14th, Alevines, Benjamines and Pre-Benjamines on the 21st.
Episode 6 of A Kick in The Balearics will be out tomorrow on you tube and on podcast on Thursday. We have just launched on Spotify on Apple iTunes and on all smart speakers through the Tunein radio App. If you have any interesting stories on your local Balearic club then please get in touch and follow us on all social media.
Take care everyone, I’m back at the Weekend.
Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, onlineatwww.radioonemallorca.com on mobile through their free App for IPhone & Android, The Tunein Radio App, iTunes, the Spanish TDT TV service and all smart speakers. If you can’t hear him on the radio then you’ll find him working at Pirates Adventure the islands number one night out and every now and again he may make an understudy appearance!
Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com
Dad Taxi Mallorca 