As we come into the New Year it would be a good time to give a mid season report on all of our Balearic Football teams. 

If anyone was going to get near top marks it would have to be Real Mallorca. The season started with a new coach, Luis Garcia Plaza and there was doubt including from me whether he was the right man for the job. That doubt continued after they lost the first game at home, 0-1 to Rayo Vallecano. 

A difficult away game at promotion favourites Espanyol was next and they had Mallorca’s former coach Vincente Moreno in charge too, so there was huge pressure. They managed a commendable 0-0 draw and didn’t look back. They then went 16 games unbeaten until the final game of the year when due to an absolutely awful refereeing performance. They lost to Fuenlabrada 2-3 and had two players sent off. So they currently lie in second place on 41 points from 19 games, 1 point behind the leaders Espanyol. They’re the second top scorers with 26 goals and have conceded the least, just 7. Continue this form and they will return to the promised land of La Liga. 

With a new coach in charge and a host of new signings, lots was expected of Atlético Baleares and after winning their first game 4-0 that expectation grew. However since then results haven’t gone as well as they would have hoped and their new coach Jordi Roger is under a lot of pressure. They currently lie in sixth place, 10 points behind the joint leaders. Their record is, played 8, won 2, drawn 3, lost 3. They need to improve massively to get themselves into the new format for the second half of the season. 

It was always going to be difficult for UD Poblense, after their promotion to Segunda B. It was the first time they’ve competed in this division in over 30 years, the last time being in the 1988-89 season. They’ve struggled for goals, scoring just eight in their eight games but have conceded only nine too. Meaning draws have dominated their points tally. Their record reads, played 8, won 1, drawn 5, lost 2 and they lie in seventh place. That all important first win though came last time out in the Derby against Atlético Baleares. A thrilling game was won by UD 2-3. Surviving will be the name of the game in the second half of the season. 

Over to Ibiza now where UD Ibiza have dominated their league. After their play-off disappointment last season, despite a heavy investment they too began the season with a new Coach. Juan Carlos Carcedo was the man tasked with getting promotion. His first job as a number one coach, having previously worked as a number two to Unai Emery. They worked together at Almeria, Valencia, Spartan Moscow, Sevilla, Paris Saint Germain and Arsenal. So good credentials for a man taking his first steps into coaching his own team for the first time. Like Mallorca almost top marks after eight games in their league. They currently lie in first place, won 6, drawn 2 and lost 0. They’ve scored 12 goals and conceded just 1. Their goal is to get promotion and they seem on course right now. 

Peña Deportiva are similar to UD Poblense in a way that survival in the division is more important. Last seasons coach Mario Ormaechea left at the end of last season and reportedly he was going to Atlético Baleares. But a last minute change of mind by the board at Baleares meant he was out of work. However Peña hadn’t replace him so he went back! They currently lie in eighth place with a record that reads, played eight, won 1, drawn 3 and lost 4. Their problem is goals having scored just once but they’ve only conceded three goals. Last time out they got a creditable 0-0 draw in their Derby with UD Ibiza. 

In Tercera group A, Andratx are the current leaders on 24 points with Manacor in second on 18 points. Manacor have a game in hand and are the only team to beat Andratx so far this season.

Group B is a little tighter, with three points separating the top three. Platges de Calvia currently lead on 20 points, followed by PE Sant Jordi on 18 Points and Real Mallorca B on 17 points. 

In Division Honor the highest league in Youth football at U-18 level, all of our teams are finding it difficult. In a ten team league, Real Mallorca are sixth, Penya Arrabal are seventh and CD San Francisco are eighth. San Fran do have a couple of games in hand on the teams above them. It’s a tough league with teams from Barcelona, Espanyol and Girona so survival is important for our island teams. 

At the moment youth football continues from Juvenil, Cadete and Infantil levels but Alevin, Benjamin and Pre-Benjamin are still suspended. 

Take care everyone. 

Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.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 

Firstly I’ve changed the name of the blog to Dad Taxi Mallorca for which I’m better known.
I think we’re all glad to see the back of 2020 and hoping that 2021 brings us all health, happiness and a return to some kind of pre-pandemic normality. At the moment the cases here aren’t dropping as we are seeing the fallout from people being allowed to travel through the Constitution Day and the day of the immaculate conception holidays on the 6th and 8th of December. 

The problems we are now seeing are for me solely down to the dithering of the Government here. Since the March lockdown we have lurched from crisis to crisis without coming up with a plan to get the island moving again. I’ve said it before but a coalition Government never works for the people, it works for its own good. A year into governing and three years before the next elections it’s time for the this Government to step up. I don’t know why they’re against making tough decisions but if a lockdown was going to be announced then surely it should have been done before now. For me they’ve worried more about their own popularity than making decisions that will get the island’s economy moving again. What matters more, families enjoying this Christmas, New Year and Three Kings celebrations? Or the islands back working again so that families can enjoy future Christmas, New Year and Three Kings celebrations? The latter is what I chose for me and my family at the beginning of December and it’s a choice that should have been made not by me but for us by the Government. Nobody likes being told what to do especially when it affects our daily lives but we’ve sort of got used to it over the last few months. So another few hard weeks in return for more years of prosperity wouldn’t for me have been a difficult decision. 

Would this have prevented the situation we’re in right now? Who knows, but it certainly wouldn’t have been this bad. At the moment we’re in a curfew situation, the next would be local lockdowns, then closing the airport and ports and finally a full lockdown. 

I can’t remember how long the Government here were talking about the safe corridors to the UK but right now we are in a situation that those who return will be subject to a 10-day quarantine, which can be shortened to five through the UK government’s test to release scheme. Still not encouraging enough to book a holiday here. 

PCR tests are now obligatory but currently are more expensive than the flights, the Anti-Gen tests are cheaper but don’t detect just Covid but if it’s negative then you can’t enter. It’s a scheme that’s working in the Canaries. 

Finally PCR became obligatory for all passengers arriving on the island just before Christmas. But I’ve been told by more than one person that everyone is not being checked. Now it can’t be down to lack of staff surely? There’s enough people unemployed or on the ERTE who I’m sure would be glad of some work right now. What hope have we got when we can’t check everyone coming in now when the airport is at its least busiest? God help us when we get to Summer. 

Summer, yes that all important word. That needs to be the goal from now and if difficult decisions need to be taken, can we please get on with it. 

In order for people to book a holiday here, they need to see that we are getting our house in order to welcome them back. Of course the vaccine will help but that is just getting off of the ground and will take time. Therefore we all will need to follow the same guidelines for the foreseeable future to get those numbers down. We’ve done it before and we can do It again. 

May I take this opportunity to wish you a happy, healthy and pandemic free new year. 

Take care everyone and enjoy your weekend! 

Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.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 

Every year when we ask for help for charity on the radio from the listeners you never fail to disappoint. After the amazing success of the Radiothon we thought Christmas would be more difficult. But once again you have been amazing. We normally look to help around four charities but this year nine charities will benefit from your kind donations and with some of them we’re going to be able to continue the help into the New Year. To be honest there are too many people to say thank you to individually but you know who you are. I say it all the time we are just the messengers, you guys are the ones that give with such amazing generosity. 

Last Friday we delivered all the new toys to Alan Gonzalez at The Salvation Army. Covid has prevented them from holding a party for the children where they and us used to hand out the gifts. This year they have been delivering them to the families.

Alan said,

Dear Radio One Staff

“On behalf of The Salvation Army I want to express our appreciation for your generosity in running this year, again, a toys drive to support our service in Mallorca. Your commitment along the years have been incredibly helpful and allows us to reach our goal of distributing Christmas presents to children from low-income families in our area. 

Your backing means so much to us, but even more to those children, which joy is priceless in a time like the one we are going through due to the pandemic. 

Please know how much you’ve helped and how much we all appreciate it. Thank you from all of us. 

You and the community are making a difference!”

Sincerely,

Major Alan Gonzalez

The Salvation Army Corps Officer

On Saturday we went and a bought a load of cat and dog food to take up to SOS Animal Mallorca. They do a great job all year round housing homeless cats and dogs and rely on donations for their upkeep throughout the year. They were really grateful for all the food and asked us to thank you on their behalf. 

Nick Entwhistle and his team have achieved so much over the past 18 months, something they should be very proud of. Nick and Louise from Yachting Gives Back came to the studios last week and filled up a Land Rover with all of the second hand toys we’d been given. Then on Monday we went out with Nick to do a food shop for the items he said were needed. We are pleased to say that through your generosity we can carry on with that help into the New Year. 

Nick said, 

“On behalf of all of us at Yachting Gives Back and the various charities we support, we want to say a huge thank you to Richie, Ayesha, Jo and everyone at Radio OneMallorca and most of all to your very generous listeners who donated to your successful Christmas Campaign. The food, toys, clothes and money will all be distributed to people in need by Associacion Tardor, Mallorca Sense Fam,Shambhala, Es Refugi, SOS Mamas and JoyRon Foundation. 

Many thanks and a very Merry Christmas to you all from Nick, Paddy, Dennis, Louise, David, Anna and Aila.”

On Tuesday we met up with Tom, Rafael and Margaretha from the Santa Ponsa Food Bank to buy the food that they needed for their people. I met Tom a couple of months ago at one of the food collections at Eroski in Bendinat. He came and asked what we were doing and I explained that we were collecting for people who were struggling at this time. He explained that through the worshippers at the Santa Ponsa Community Church they too were setting up a food bank. Three months later they now have their own premises that they are gradually filling up with food from donations like ours. Your generosity means that we can also carry on those donations into the New Year. 

They commented,

Dear Radio One listeners,

We want thank all of you for you wonderful generosity and support which made it possible to set up Santa Ponsa Foodbank within three months.

We are very grateful for the abundant shopping today and for your commitment to partner with us through the challenges of 2021.

Thank you and merry Chrismas,

Santa Ponsa Foodbank team

Also on Tuesday I met up for a coffee with Jorge Vallejo de la Cueva from the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of the Son Espases University Hospital. Our relationship with them goes back over many years and we’re very proud of the things we’ve achieved there. Covid prevented us from buying toys for the unit but we were able to buy a years subscription to Netflix for all the iPads they use for the children and their families. We have also nearly completed all the projects that we were working on pre-Covid like the parents relaxation room, the murals above the beds in the intensive care unit and the upgrade the parents meeting room.

Jorge said,

“We want to thank Radio One Mallorca and all its collaborators for the important work that you do helping us in our projects.

With your invaluable work, you have made a year as complicated as the one that has just ended, less hard, giving rise to hope for the one to come.

We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Fundación Nazaret we have been helping for a few years now. With your generosity and their guidance we have managed to buy every child a voucher for Primark. 

Dear listeners of Radio One Mallorca.

From the Nazaret Fundación, I am writing to you to say thank you for one more year of your generosity and to make this very different Christmas a little more special.

Thanks to your donation, we hope to be able to improve our projects, and offer hope to our minors, that is why your donation has been very well received by our children and young people.

We are a non-profit Foundation, and we carry out different programs and services where the final objective is to transform and improve the present and future situation of people, so all these initiatives become part of this common goal.

We can’t say goodbye before thanking you once again for your kind collaboration and wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! And this year more than ever … HEALTH!

Guillem Cladera Coll

Gerente-Director de la Fundació Nazaret

Jackie Codd and the team at Age Concern do an amazing job throughout the year and it’s always satisfying to help them. We’ve been hampered(sorry for the pun) a little by the Covid situation but we’ve managed to buy supermarket vouchers that will not only help now but into next year too. 

Jackie said, 

Dear Ritchie

I would like to thank you and Radio One and all its listeners, supporters and Majorca Daily Bulletin readers for their generosity supporting the Christmas Hamper Appeal.

The response has been fabulous and exceeded all expectations. Congratulations.

Our recipients will be over the moon with their goodies this Christmas, it makes all the difference to receive a little extra cheer to brighten one’s often dull monotonous life.

So a huge thank you for those that helped to make this Christmas that little bit extra special.

You’re a gem Ritchie, keep up the good work at Radio One supporting so many charities, it really is appreciated, you don’t know how much especially in these specifically distressful times.

May I take this opportunity in wishing you all a very merry Christmas and a safe and healthy New Year.

Best wishes

Jackie

Jackie Codd Moore President

I am also pleased to say that we are also now in contact with a further two charities SOS Calvia and Eden Sanctuary to offer a little extra help too.

We can’t thank you all enough for all your help on this Christmas Appeal. Not only that with your help and generosity we can continue this help into what will be a difficult few months of the New Year. 

Take care everyone and may I take this opportunity to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.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 

This weeks column is written out of sheer frustration in what has happened here in Mallorca in the past year. Blame can only be rested with the people making decisions which means the Government both regionally and nationally. I’ve said before that around the World there isn’t one Government who you’d say have got their reaction to the pandemic completely correct. Whether that be the first, second or now third wave. This is a new phenomenon for all, but you have to question the stop/start reaction we are getting here. 

Businesses and people are being subjected to rules and regulations that seem to change like the weather and in some cases on a daily basis. Think back, no masks, then masks, no school, then school,  no tests, then tests, no curfew, then curfew are just a few of many examples. So how many more waves of this stop/start do we have to endure before someone actually has the cojones to say that’s it?  Protect the vulnerable, make rules that are sensible and let us get on with our lives. I’m not for once forgetting anybody that’s sadly passed away from this awful disease and I’m not a Covid denier either. But for our own sanity or economic necessity we need to get back to some sort of pre-pandemic normality. 

The mess we’re in right now is in my opinion is 99.9% down to the non testing of anyone arriving at the airport from the mainland. I said it last week but still they dithered and only this week will it start. A friend of mine came from Germany this week via Barcelona. He was asked for his PCR test in Germany but on his arrival in Barcelona and Mallorca, nothing! 

It’s a joke. 

This however is not just about Covid as serious as it is but all the other problems that despite prior warnings are now starting to appear. 

I’ve followed a Professor Karol Sikora on Twitter since this all began. He has been an oncologist for 50 years and a former Director of the WHO cancer programme. News broke this week that the waiting list for cancer treatment in the UK has nearly doubled since May. 

Delays caused by coronavirus have seen the number of patients waiting for cancer tests or treatment soar from around 90,000 to 160,000 in just seven months.

It comes as a report warns patients face a ‘double whammy’ of delays in seeing a GP and long waiting times for vital cancer tests. We all know that  catching cancer early is without doubt a lifesaver so what do you say to all the people that have lost a relative through this or people that haven’t been diagnosed and may well risk losing their lives? 

He commented “So many have cancer right now and don’t even know, it’s an unfolding disaster.”

I imagine the UK is not alone in those figures and that is just one example, there are many more. Mental health and economic worries are becoming a massive problem. 

I was critical of the National Government at the time of lockdown as we were being put under restrictions due to the problems of Covid infections on the mainland. It is the same now here in Mallorca and the Regional Government. There is no doubt the numbers are going up, current numbers(taken from ibsalut.es) show that there are 4,827 active cases in Mallorca. Palma alone makes up 49% of those cases with 2381, but divide that into capital’s population which was taken from July’s figures of 456,088 and you’re looking at an infection rate of 0.5%. Take that into Calvia where I live, it makes up 3% of the overall numbers. There are 182 active cases from a population of approximately 50,000, or 0.3%. So why are we subject to the same restrictions as Palma? There has been a lockdown in Manacor and also parts of Palma but never fully. Looking at the numbers now, I suggest there should be. 

We either have to take the view that to continue with our lives the numbers have to come down or we learn to live with what we’ve got. I’m part of the second camp and I’ll learn to live with the risk. Let’s face it life is a risk on a daily basis but I would rather look after my own destiny. 

Can I take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas, it’s not going to be an easy one but let’s try and enjoy it all the same. 

Take care everyone and enjoy your weekend! 

Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.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 

Huge game for Real Mallorca today at 4pm. They play fourth placed Leganés, one of the teams that were relegated with them from La Liga last season. Mallorca are six points clear of them at the top so a win would open up a nine point gap. Heading into Matchday 18 with four consecutive victories and unbeaten since the opening day of the season, the coach Luis Garcia believes this weekend’s hosts could pose a threat.

“CD Leganés are having a great season, In other years they would be among the places for direct promotion. As hosts they’re very strong, although it’s also true playing away has cost them a little more. They have a coach who knows the division well and have very good players. It’ss going to be a very difficult match and we hope to get something positive.

“We’re more of a pressing team in attack and they will perhaps look to get behind us. Whatever happens in Butarque, there world won’t end. There will come a time when the level of the teams at the top will drop, it’s impossible to keep up at this pace. When that time comes, you have to be calm and value the work we’ve done.

Abdón Prats has struck four times in his last three games, although the Coach stressed no player is guaranteed a starting spot among a highly competitive squad.

“Abdon is a player who is on a roll and we have to take him into account, but no one is indisputable. Other times he has played and not scored, and we have been happy with his work.” I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t start today. 

Next Wednesday they play Guijuelo in the Copa Del Rey First round. Club Deportivo Guijuelo are from Salamanca, founded in 1974 they play in Segunda División B – Group 1, holding home games at the 1,500-seat Estadio Municipal de Guijuelo. They currently lie in eighth position in their league out of ten having played seven games, won 1, drawn 2 and lost 4. It will be interesting to see what time he puts out in that one. 

Atlético Baleares finally got a win last weekend when they defeated Las Rozas by 2-0. Early goals from Iñaki Olartua in the 8th minute and Vinicius Tanque(The Tank) in the 11th minute. 

They are up to fourth now in their league, but 10 points behind the leaders Rayo Majadahonda. This weekend they have a home local derby against UD Poblense. Poblense are still without a win but have drawn 5 games. Last week they drew 0-0 at CDA Navalcarnero. 

UD Ibiza dropped their first points of the season away at second placed Orihuela with a 0-0 draw. There’s another local derby in Ibiza too where UD will play Peña Deportiva. 

Copa Del Rey games for all our teams this coming week.

UD Poblense v Olot Weds 14.00

Atlético Baleares v Fuenlabrada Weds 19.00

Guijuelo v Real Mallorca Weds 19.30

UD Ibiza v Compostela Thursday 19.00

Peña Deportiva v Tarazona Thursday 19.30

And a special night for CD Cardasser who are hosting La Liga leaders Atlético Madrid on Wednesday at 19.00. 

In Tercera Group A, no games last week so Andratx still lead from Manacor. In Group B, Platges de Calvia are level on points with PE Sant Jordi. 

In Division Honor, CD San Francisco got a great draw with Barcelona 1-1 to keep themselves mid table. Real Mallorca also had a great result winning away at Girona 1-2 and Penya Arrabal lost at home 0-1 to top of the table Espanyol. 

Take care everyone. 

Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.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 

So the Government here have brought the curfew forward from Midnight to 10pm in order to try and suppress the rise in infections. The 14 day cumulative number of cases per 100,000 inhabitants across the Balearics was 260, up from 223 a week ago. I’m not sure if I’m honest if that is going to make any difference to the numbers. Surely COVID doesn’t spread less because we’re locked up two hours earlier? President Armengol has described the coronavirus situation in Mallorca as “complicated” and says the curfew has been changed “to avoid the most risky activities.” 

If they were “risky” why let them open in the first place? What it does do is put more pressure on the bars and restaurants that have taken on the time and expense to open, and now need to decide whether it is financially viable to continue. I’ve already heard of a couple of bars who will now not be open on Christmas Day who were previously going to open for lunch. They have said that as the future is not certain, they don’t want to take the risk. The problem for everyone is that it’s stop, start, stop, start and nothing seems to have changed. It’s quite hard to understand why, as I for one have done everything that has been asked since we came out of lockdown. Masks, wash hands, keep your distance you name it I’ve done it and I’m sure the majority of people are adhering to the rules too. So why are we no nearer solving the problem? 

Well the answer is staring us in the face and why it’s being allowed to continue is for me utterly ridiculous. When the Government decided that PCR tests were needed to enter the island, 12 out of the 17 autonomous regions in Spain had a worse infection rate than the UK and Germany. Yet anyone arriving from the mainland was not asked to have a test to gain entry. We have just had a holiday here in Spain and many families travelled to the mainland and many from the mainland came here. But not one was asked to take a test. Don’t be surprised if we see the rate go up again in the next two weeks. Not only that but we’ve got Christmas, New Year and not forgetting the Three Kings celebrations coming up. How many people will be travelling to and from the mainland to visit their families and don’t need to show a negative PCR test?  

The Government is still pushing for PCR tests for domestic travellers arriving in the Islands at Christmas. “We are ready, if necessary,” said Health Minister Patricia Gómez, who admitted that the Government has failed to convince Central Government to make it compulsory for domestic travellers to provide their own negative PCR test before entering the Balearic Islands.

If that is the case why have the Canary Islands been allowed to let foreign tourists to travel to the islands with an antigen test, instead of the PCR test that the central government recently made into a requirement for coming to Spain? The regional decree goes into effect on Thursday despite the fact that it contradicts central government regulations on international travel to the country. 

Despite that though the Canaries have just been added to the UK quarantine list. Which means that from this morning they must self-isolate for two weeks. 

Grant Shapps the transport secretary said this was because of rising infection rates on the islands. New rules that come into force on December 15th and will allow them to reduce the isolation period if they take a negative test after five days, but the test will have to be done privately, and will come at a cost of between £65.00 to £120.00.

This is a huge blow not only for the Canaries but for the travel industry too leading up to Christmas. But it does go to show that if we can’t get our infection rates down then the same thing could happen here next Summer. 

Whilst the change in the curfew time has led to many thinking we will return to a lockdown I personally do not believe that right now. We have two other choices before that. Firstly make every traveller arrive with a negative PCR test and if that doesn’t slow the rate down, close the airport and ports. For me if those two measures don’t work then a lockdown would seem the only way forward. We must insist on Central Government that an island that depends on Tourism can’t keep chopping and changing its rules and regulations. Get the infection rates down and keep them down and be ready to open the doors again for next summer. 

We are all part of the problem too, so we must adhere to the rules. As I wrote last week, we made the difficult decision not to visit our families this Christmas and I know that is a tough decision to make. 

But we must think that short term pain is for long time gain. 

Take care everyone and enjoy your weekend! 

Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.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 

A great week for Real Mallorca. I said last week “If Mallorca can get past both of these without losing, you’d have to say they are genuine promotion contenders.” They actually exceeded my expectations beating Logroñés 4-0 and then Almeria away 0-1. Both teams had won their previous six matches and Mallorca scored five goals and conceded none. 

In the Logroñés game they were helped by a handball sending off in just four minutes, which meant they dominated the rest of the game. Against Almeria in a tight affair, the winning goal was a “worldy” from Abdon Prats. An overhead kick that will be difficult to beat when the goal of the season awards are handed out. 

Last years La Liga Smartbank winners Huesca won the league with 70 points. In their 42 games they won 21, drew 7 and lost 14. They scored 55 goals and conceded 42 goals. Right now in their 16 games so far, Mallorca already have 35 points, so they are halfway to that total of Huesca already. Their record so far is played 16, won 10, drawn 5 and lost 1. They’ve scored 20 goals and conceded just 3 goals. 

It’s very tight at the top with Mallorca on 35 points, Espanyol on 33, Leganés 31. It’s still the three teams that were relegated last season that are the top three. They don’t play now until Monday evening against Castellón. 

Atlético Baleares conceded a 93rd minute equaliser last weekend against CDA Navalcarnero. Having retaken the lead in the 84th minute from “The Tank”(Vinicius Tanque) you would hope that they could close out the game. But right now they’re struggling for form and it wasn’t possible. They’re now in fifth place, 10 points behind the leaders Rayo Majadahonda. The coach Jordi Roger said this week “we need the support of the fans and we will do our best to get 3 points”. He’s a coach under pressure having not won a game since the opening one of the season. This weekend they’re at home to Las Rozas, kicking off at 12 midday at the Estadio Balear. Let’s hope for better luck this weekend. 

UD Poblense were 8 minutes from causing a shock against Real Madrid Castilla. However an equaliser scuppered their hopes of a first win of the season. However a draw is still a commendable result against Real Madrid’s second string of youngsters managed by their former legendary player Raul. This weekend they are away against CDA Navalcarnero, will that elusive first win come this weekend?

Much better news across the water on the White Isle of Ibiza. UD Ibiza maintained their 100% start beating Hercules by 1-0. In a tight affair it took then to the 93rd minute to break the deadlock. Head Coach Juan Carlos Carcedo said afterwards “The substitutions helped us to get to the last minutes of the match with plenty of options to find the decisive goal”. That’s 6 wins from 6 games, scoring 12 conceding just 1. This weekend they face Orihuela, who lie in second place 7 points behind. You’d have to say if they win that, they’re favourites to go to the next stage. 

Orihuela is where Peña Deportiva lost 1-0 last weekend. They lie in 5th place on 6 points and as I mentioned last week, the goals scored column needs filling up. Just one so far and if they want to progress they need to find the net. They are at home this weekend to CD Alcoyano.

In Tercera, Andratx still lead the way in Group A after a 1-2 win in Ibiza against SD Portmany. Manacor are 4 points behind with a game in hand after beating Soller 2-0. No games this weekend because of the holiday. 

In Group B, no game for Platges de Calvia last week meant they were joined at the top by PE Sant Jordi who beat Binnisalem 2-1. Like in Group A, there’s no games this weekend because of the holiday but next weekend it’s first against second as Platges de Calvia take on PE Sant Jordi. 

In Division Honor, Penya Arrabal were the only team to get a point last weekend, in a 1-1 draw with At. Villacarlos. Real Mallorca lost 0-2 at home to Club Esportiu Europa and San Francisco lost 1-0 away at UD Cornelia. Penya lie in 4th, Mallorca in 6th and San Fran 7th. This weekend there’s difficult matches for all of our teams. Penya are at home to the leaders Espanyol, Mallorca are away to Girona and the pick of the games is San Fran versus Barcelona. It’s a shame that fans won’t be allowed in to see that game but you can see it on the CD San Francisco Facebook page or on Barcelona TV. 

My eldest Son Jake’s team, San Francisco Cadete B came back from 0-1 to Patronato to win 2-1. They play them away this weekend in the return. Still no sign of a return to competitive matches for my youngest Jude in San Francisco Alevin A but there’s a possibility of a January start. 

Take care everyone. 

Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.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 

For most of us 2020 has been a year to forget. Normality hasn’t been a word commonly used this year or if it has it, it’s been known as the  “New Norm”. With that in mind it has slowly but dawned on us that our normal family Christmas isn’t going to happen. Ever since I moved here in 1990, Christmas has always been celebrated in the UK. I’m a firm believer it’s a time for families to come together and celebrate. Unfortunately it’s not going to be possible with all the problems that this year has brought. My Wife and I both have elderly Mothers and the risk for them is too great, even if we take a test before we go. Also we are quite a big family so getting us all together from all the different tiers is all but impossible. We also thought about all the things we like to do apart from seeing our families, like going to pubs, going to restaurants, watching football, going to the theatre, going to the cinema, visiting London, are all going to be difficult to do too. We have always said to ourselves that it would be nice one year to spend it here, so this is our year. I do bang on about how great this island is all the time, so I’m coming round to enjoying a festive time here. 

Whilst it will be tough not seeing our families we will be able to see them virtually through Zoom like we did every weekend when we did quizzes together during the lockdown. 

Last week we went out shopping and did the no IVA(VAT) day at the Mallorca outlets. We went earlier than last time but even in the daytime it was just as bad as going in the evening. We queued the best part of 45 minutes just to get into Nike and as we only had 2 hours because of the school run. We only managed 2 shops in 2 hours. At the weekend we went tree shopping. We felt that as this probably won’t be a yearly thing we would buy a real tree rather than an artificial one. We went to that garden centre opposite Carrefour on the Via de Cintura behind the Iberostar building. You know the one! They’ve just changed their name, well I say just, I don’t know when they did but I still can’t remember it. Anyway they have a great choice of trees, you pick the one you want and they wrap it in netting, making it easier to transport. 

It now has pride of place in our lounge and dare I say it “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas.”

I’m enjoying going round looking for the things we would normally buy in the UK but trying to find them here. We’ve been sent a few things from the UK but the majority will be bought here. We live in Calvia where the Town Hall has come up with a great idea to help local businesses. Each person over the age of 16 who is registered at the Town Hall can buy a voucher for 10€ and when you go to spend it, it’s worth 20€. There are 2 per adult available. So basically they are giving you 10€ per voucher to spend with local businesses. The list of businesses can be found on the Town Hall website. 

I am fully aware that this Christmas will be a struggle for quite a lot of people here on the island. On the radio we’ve always done a Christmas appeal but this year more than ever we need your help. 

We are helping the Salvation Army by buying presents for the children, the Fundación Nazaret by buying all the children a gift card for Primark. Son Espases we are paying for a years subscription to Netflix that is used on the iPads in the Intensive Care Unit for Children. Age Concern we are buying supermarket vouchers that can be distributed to the people they are helping. For the Santa Ponsa Food Bank and Yachting Gives Back we are collecting food donations and buying more food. Finally, SOS Animal Mallorca we are helping with food supplies. 

Normally we would help around four charities but this year because of all of the problems we have tried to help as many as we can. 

Please deliver all donations to us at the Radio Station at The Wave House Hotel in Magaluf or at our drop off points around the island. Feel free to call me on 670 704 311 and I can always arrange a pick up. 

We can take money donations via our charity bank account and credit card or cash donations too. 

In the past two weeks a few people of a more mature age have come into the studio and donated money saying they would like to see it help others. You know who you are so thank you. That for me sums it all up and I know from all the charity work I’ve done on the island the people of Mallorca will always step up to the plate. 

If you know of anyone who is on their own please check on them to see if they’re ok and if they need anything. Christmas can also be a lonely and stressful time for some and it doesn’t take much to knock on someone’s door to check if they’re ok. 

Ultimately, Christmas is as much about giving as it is receiving. It’s embedded in our culture as a time where we give to those less fortunate than ourselves. 

Take care everyone and enjoy your weekend! 

Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.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 

Real Mallorca start the weekend on top of league 2. They’ve been helped by the fact that Espanyol have lost their last two, at home to Girona and away at Leganés last time out. Last weekend they were held to a home 0-0 draw against fourth place Sporting Gijón. In the midweek they went away to Cartagena and won 1-2 to put them top of the league by 1 point to Leganés. Interesting that the three teams that were relegated last season from La Liga are now the top three in La Liga 2. Playing budgets and squad sizes have a lot to do with it. Espanyol have the biggest budget at 45,342€, Leganés at 26,704€ and Mallorca at 19,049€. 

The squad spending limit denotes the maximum amount that each club can spend during the course of the 2020/21 season following the winter transfer market, including spending on the first team in relation to players, the manager, assistant manager and fitness coach (registrable squad, as defined in Art. 38 of the Budget Preparation Rules) and spending on the reserves, the youth system and other areas (non-registrable squad, as defined in Art. 38 of the Budget Preparation Rules). So Mallorca are doing very well to be where are right now and long May it continue. This weekend they are at home to seventh placed Logroñés, who’ve won their last six games, so not an easy game. That’s followed next Thursday when they travel to fifth placed Almeria, who’ve won their last five. Almeria surprisingly have the second biggest budget in the league at 27,582€ and it will be a tough game. If Mallorca can get past both of these without losing, you’d have to say they are genuine promotion contenders. 

Atlético Baleares unfortunately are struggling right now. After their first five games, they’ve won 1, drawn 2 and lost 2. They are in sixth place eight points behind the leaders Rayo Majadahonda and it has to be said the new coach Jordi Roger is under a bit of pressure already. Having invested heavily in the squad in the summer, this is not where the owners envisaged they’d be. A 0-1 home loss last weekend to Sanse with the visitors scoring in the 87th minute. This weekend they’re away at CDA Navalcarnero who lie in second place in the league 

UD Poblense are struggling at the bottom of the league on 3 points. Struggling is probably a bit harsh as it was always going to be tough for them making this step up. Goals are hard to come with only 3 so far, yet they’ve only conceded 5 so they’re not getting gubbed in any of their games. A win would really boost the confidence right now, with Real Madrid B arriving on the island this Sunday. 

Across the water UD Ibiza are dominating their league. Five wins from 5 games, scoring 11 goals and conceding just one. They are already 5 points clear at the top. I watched them destroy Valencia B 0-4 on IB3 TV last weekend. This weekend they are at home to Hercules of Alicante who lie behind them in second place.

Peña Deportiva are more than holding their own with 6 points in their opening 5 games. They currently lie in fourth and whilst they’ve only conceded one goal, they’ve only scored one too! 

In Tercera Group A, top of the table Andratx lost their first game of the season to second placed Manacor. Meaning the gap between them is now 4 points and Manacor have a game in hand. 

It’s a little tighter in Tercera Group B, with Platges de Calvia at the top by 3 Points from PE San Jordi. With no game for Platges this weekend, San Jordi have a chance to join them at the top. 

In Division Honor the highest league in youth football, Penya Arrabal managed to get a 1-1 draw with Barcelona. I tried to go to the game but they were only accepting members or players family and had a capacity of 150. San Francisco lost a to and fro game 3-2 to CF Damm. Real Mallorca beat UD Cornelia 2-1. That leaves Penya in Fourth, Mallorca in sixth and San Fran in seventh. 

No game for my eldest last week but he has a game today at 16.45 against Patronato which you can see live on CD San Francisco’s Facebook page. 

Take care everyone. 

Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.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