A good 3-0 home win for Real Mallorca against Ponferradina the weekend before last took them to second place in La Liga Smartbank. Followed up by a battling 1-0 win at Girona. They are now two points behind the leaders Espanyol, who surprisingly lost on Friday night at home to Girona. Dani Rodriguez is their current top scorer with 5 for the season and he’s fourth top goalscorer in the league which is a great return for an attacking midfielder. Without doubt it’s their defensive record which is helping them, just 2 goals conceded in 12 games. If they win on Sunday they would go top. It will be difficult though as their opponents are third placed Sporting Gijón. 

Martin Valjent and Aleksandar Trajkovski have made history with their countries having qualified for next summer’s European Championships. Although they were unused substitutes in the play-off finals, the former’s Slovakia reached their second-ever European Championships courtesy of a 2-1 win over Northern Ireland in extra time, while Trajkovski and North Macedonia have qualified for the tournament for the first time in their history. 

Mallorca have been drawn away to Segunda B side CD Guijuelo in the first round of the Copa del Rey.

Their cup campaign will kick-off with a trip to the Estadio Municipal de Luis Ramos on the 16th of December. Founded in 1974 and having finished 9th in their division last season, it will be the first time they’ve  faced the team from Salamanca in their history. 

With the Copa Del Rey in mind, an amazing story for CD Cardasser over on the East of Mallorca. It is home to the “Love Island” Villa and 2 years ago the town suffered devastating floods. Their ground was completely wrecked as you can see above. They play in the third division here in Mallorca and a few weeks ago they qualified for the 1st round of the Copa Del Rey. Last week the draw was made and they drew Atlético Madrid at home! Their ground can only hold 600 spectators which is a shame as I’m sure a lot of people would like to watch the game. But might give them a squeak of an advantage over the team currently second in La lIga. 

In Segunda B Division it’s a mixed bag for all of our sides.

Atlético Baleares restarted training last week after 11 playing and non playing staff went down with coronavirus. They have followed  all the protocols and now they’re free to return. They haven’t played for two weeks but return to action today against UD San Sebastián Reyes. 

UD Ibiza continúe to dominate their league, four wins from four leave them four points clear at the top. This week they are away in against Valencia B.

UD Poblense are still battling away, drawing three of their first four games. Scoring goals seems to be the problem with just two so far but having only conceded three they are managing to pick up points. They have a difficult away game this week against Rayo Majadahonda. 

Peña Deportiva are holding their own in fourth place having only lost one of their opening four games. 

This weekends fixtures are;

Atlético Baleares v UD San Sebastián Reyes. Sunday 12 Midday

Rayo Majadahonda v UD Poblense Sunday 12 Midday

Valencia B  v UD Ibiza Sunday 12 Midday

Peña Deportiva v CF La Nucia Sunday 12 Midday

Real Mallorca v Sporting Gijón Sunday 16.00

In Tercera División group A, Andratx lost their first game at home to second placed Manacor but are still top four points clear. In Group B, Platges de Calvia lead by three points from second placed PE Sant Jordi. 

In Division Honor the highest league in Youth football, the local derby between CD San Francisco and Penya Arrabal took place last week. San Fran ran out 4-1 winners to take their first points of the season.  The league is currently being led by Girona, Penya are in third, San Fran in Sixth and Barcelona a surprisingly lowly eighth. 

My eldest son Jakes team San Francisco Cadete B haven’t got off to a great start losing home and away to Sollerense. Both close at 2-1 and 3-2 but hopefully they’ll win next weekend against Patronato. 

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 

Last week I said I’d come up with some ideas to restart the tourist industry. There are two sides to this, businesses here on the island and businesses that bring people to the island. Firstly my attitude towards politicians and what they say has changed over the years. Particularly in the UK where they seem to change their mind like the weather. One in particular who really gets on my nerves is Michael Gove. He’s the man who played a heavy part in the leave campaign in 2016 with Boris Johnson and together they were going to make a bid for Johnson to become Conservative party leader, with Gove as the campaign manager, how could they fail? Well Gove withdrew his support on the morning Johnson was due to declare, and announced his own candidacy! Which he lost to the eventual winner Theresa May. Fast forward to October the 18th this year and Mr Gove was asked if ministers were going to enforce a two-week shutdown across England? The Cabinet Office minister answered: “No”. He added that the spread of the virus did not warrant short-term blanket restrictions “at the moment”.“It would seem an error to try to impose on every part of the country the same level of restriction when we know that the disease is spreading more intensively and quicker in some parts of the country,” he said.Just two weeks later and the country goes into full lockdown for a whole month!
What has this got to do with restarting the tourist industry? I can hear you saying. Well please bear with me as I just had to paint a little bit of a Michael Gove picture. In 2012 he changed the law on parents being allowed to take their children out of school in term time. It was a very controversial law at the time as it took away the flexibility that schools and parents had before. He said It is “wrong” for parents to take children out of school during term time to take advantage of cheaper holidays and there was a call for action to stop holiday companies “cashing in” by ramping up prices during the school holidays. He also said that the holiday industry should “look at itself in the mirror” and ask whether it was doing enough to help its customers. All this did was push the prices up even higher and who was he to say whether a parent could take their kids out of school in term time? In my opinion It should agreed by the teacher and the parents and based on their child’s attendance record and their school work. He added that parents should instead lobby their schools to change their term dates to allow pupils to go on holiday at different times, as the coalition Government had given them the ability to do. Which of course was totally impractical and so never got changed. If there was one thing that rang alarm bells here for me apart from the name Gove it was the word “coalition”. Coalition Governments in my mind are a waste of time, we have one here in Spain who are proving that. All that happens is you’re trying to pass legislation that one agrees with and the other doesn’t. If you remember at the time this was a Conservative/Lib Dem coalition and as always it was a complete shambles. In the 2010 general election, the Lib Dems had built their campaign around a pledge to abolish tuition fees. By the end of that year, however, they had tripled them instead. So much for looking after children’s education. The term time law came into force and the current situation for taking children on holiday in term time is as follows;You have to get permission from the head teacher if you want to take your child out of school during term time.You can only do this if:

• you make an application to the head teacher in advance (as a parent the child normally lives with)
• there are exceptional circumstances

It’s up to the head teacher how many days your child can be away from school if leave is granted.You can be fined for taking your child on holiday during term time without the school’s permission.When I first came to Mallorca in 1990 families used to come from May until October and there were still families coming through the winter too. That all changed after 2012 and if I’m honest not for the better. It means that families have to pay a lot more for a holiday in July and August than they would at any other time of the year. You can’t blame the Holiday industry as they have no choice but to charge what they do. Never has the saying “make hay when the sun shines” been more apt. The pandemic has changed a lot of people’s outlook on life and I believe this should be the time to reverse this law. There are many angles to this and I personally can’t see a negative. Most kids in the UK were off school because of the pandemic for nearly six months. Now the main reason for this was health but the statistics didn’t back up the reason. The infection rate and more important the mortality rate amongst children was very low and the risk minimal. But in the Government’s eyes it was ok to keep them away from school for that period of time. So if that is the case are we still saying that a 10 day holiday in term time is harmful to their education? A break particularly abroad offers a new culture, cuisine, language and the chance for families to bond away from their daily routines. I for one see it as an enhancement to their education. The other side to this, is a boost to industries that have suffered hugely in this pandemic. The holiday industry has been dented enormously with Airports, ports, Airlines, Tour Operators, cruise lines, car hire and all the third party industries connected to them struggling to survive. I’m sure all of these would rather see a greater spread particularly in family travel across the year rather than just crammed into July and August. There is no doubt that staycation UK holiday firms would benefit from this too. You try getting a cheap deal at a holiday camp or one of those forest camps when the kids are off school. This would be a massive boost to the economy in jobs, money to the exchequer and to be honest a Feelgood feeling all round, when the country needs it most. In fact I’m surprised nobody else has thought of it. Please pass it on if you have any Government connections. Holiday destinations like Mallorca would have to play their part too and as I’ve ranted too much about Mr Gove, I will bring that to you next week. Take care everyone and enjoy your weekend! Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday07.30-11.00am 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

During a press conference at London’s “virtual” World Travel Market, the President of the Balearics Francina Armengol this week reiterated that unless someone can provide details of a positive test then they will provide a means of testing at the airports and ports. She highlighted the availability of hotels to accommodate visitors who test positive, something not offered by other Spanish regions.
From November the 23rd anyone arriving from what is deemed as a country with a high infection rate will have to provide a negative PCR test within 72hrs. To be honest that’s most of Europe except, guess who? Spain! So the Government on the one hand comes up with a great plan to ease the infection rate but on the other decides that even though they still have a major problem on the mainland you can still fly in and out, without any checks. I have a friend who constantly travels to and from the mainland and he said that last week he went to Barcelona and back without anybody checking on where he’d been or where he was going. Bearing in mind that Cataluña is in full lockdown how ridiculous is that? In fact that’s completely negligent of a Government particularly here that is on its knees and wanting a return of the tourism masses but completely by-passes checking on its own people. On the front page of the Ultima Hora on Friday it said that 12 of the seventeen autonomous regions in Spain have a higher infection rate than the UK and Germany. They must change that situation and have tests for all or you are never going to get rid of the problem. 
The President also welcomed advances made with the vaccine, confident that this will help to restart tourism in March next year. That’s all well and good as I said last week but my other comment was a lot of businesses may take the view that Easter falls too early and it would be better to save opening until the beginning of May. Having spoken to a number of people in Tourism since last week. The majority agree with that fact and therefore they will wait until May. I hope the Government is talking to businesses or plans to incentivise them to open. As you don’t want to bring people here and half the island is still closed. 
The other message came from the Tourism Minister Iago Negueruela who said that as well as intensifying health security, the Balearics’ tourism recovery strategy is based on reinforcing the commitment to quality, on family tourism and on the elimination of “tourism of excesses”I’m yet to get to the bottom of what that phrase actually means but I’m sure the Government think it’s getting rid of the younger people in Magaluf, Playa de Palma and San Antonio. Once again as I’ve said before deterring younger people to come is harming a long term love of the island. By all means set the laws in place of what the bars and clubs have to do and that people coming here need to abide by. And if you’re going to do all that then make sure it’s policed properly. I noted this week that the Mayor of Calvia said they were struggling to put a budget together for 2021. I do hope that doesn’t mean a cut back in services, especially the Police. If we’re going to manage this change then it has to be done properly with the right resources. 
So what is the “tourism of excesses”? All inclusive hotels? All inclusive cruises that come in on a daily basis? Beach clubs that shower champagne everywhere? Or people generally having a good time because they’re on holiday? Let’s be honest we’ve all been guilty of a little excess sometime, isn’t that what holidays are about? If it’s done within the rules then I personally don’t see a problem. I think the Government need to understand that. Even our own President likes a bit of excess “allegedly!”
Right now I’m not aware of what can and can’t be done in Magaluf next season. Although I’m meeting with the Mayor next week to discuss it. It will be interesting to hear what plans are in place to kick start a resort that for the majority, by the time April comes around wouldn’t have been open for 18 months! There are a lot of for sale or for rent signs around the resort which doesn’t look good. I keep saying it but for me it’s one of the best beaches on the island and given the right direction and resources can once again return to being one of the top beach resorts in the World. 
It’s been a good news week so let’s keep up that positivity. Next week I’ll have some ideas to restart the tourist industry. 
Take care everyone and enjoy your weekend! Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday07.30-11.00am 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

Last weekend I went to see Atletico Baleares v Atletico Madrid B in another socially distanced game in the Segunda B.
They’d changed the seating arrangements from the last time and it seemed to work better. People were able to sit in all rows but one seat yes and one seat no. They made it even clearer with stickers on the chairs that couldn’t be sat on. There were more stewards, at least one in each section which was definitely better. 
IB3 were covering the game on TV which was great for all the supporters who couldn’t get in. My Son kept texting me saying he could see me behind the goal. I chose to sit there to get a different view of the game. 
Both teams had similar records going in to the match, played 2, won 1, lost 1. Madrid had lost last week to Dux Internacional 3-1. The team that Baleares beat 4-0 on the opening day. 
It was a very disappointing first half for Baleares. They didn’t force the Madrid keeper to make one save. They went behind in the 23rd minute when Nando hit a shot across Juan Carlos that went in off the far post.
It wasn’t a surprise to see two changes made at half time for Baleares, Alex Barrera & Baselga came on for Fito & Kako and they definitely got better. But still not forcing the Madrid keeper into too much work. In the 68th minute they brought on their English loan signing from Tottenham, Armando Shashoua. He brought a faster pace to their attacks and in the 88th minute “The Tank” Vinicius Tanque scored the equaliser which on the balance of play they deserved. Overall it was a disappointing game but if you play poorly it’s important that you try and get something out of it, which they did. 
The Club announced that after conducting Covid tests during the week, 11 members of the playing staff and non-playing staff have contracted the disease. All of the eleven were confined to their homes and only one had shown mild symptoms. All training was suspended and the club disinfected the changing rooms, offices, lockers and common areas in the Balearic Stadium, as well as their other stadium at Son Malferit. They have communicated the case to the RFEF and the health authorities and have asked for the postponement of their match of matchday 4, scheduled for this Sunday, November 8th in Valdebebas against Real Madrid Castilla. Which has now been granted. 
Real Mallorca couldn’t keep up their goal scoring feats of the previous two games in Zaragoza last weekend but they did manage another clean sheet. The game finished a disappointing 0-0, but In the words of coach Luis García Plaza “if you can’t win the game, take a point and move on.” They currently lie in third place, four points behind the leaders Espanyol and three points behind second placed Sporting Gijón. This Sunday at 18.15 they are at home to Ponferradina a team currently in eighth place, four points behind Mallorca. 
Congratulations to their goalkeeper Manolo Reina who has been voted the La Liga Smartbank player of the month for October. In six games he only conceded 1 goal and was the stand out candidate. 
Reports circulating this week the Mallorca are set to build a football academy at their training ground Son Biblioni. It will be built to house footballers to stay on site and the idea is based upon the Barcelona academy La Masía. 
There were draws for all our Balearic sides last weekend. No game for UD Ibiza last week as their opponents Alcoyano had a case of Covid. 
Real Zaragoza 0 RCD Mallorca 0
CD Atlético Baleares 1 Atletico Madrid B 1
CD Las Rozas 1 U.D. Poblense 1
SCR Peña Deportiva 0 Atletico Levante UD 0
You might remember a few weeks ago I talked about Carlos Vicens who was born here in Mallorca. After coaching at Llosetense and Santanyi here on the island,  he moved to work at Manchester City. This season he took over the running of the U18s side and last Monday they became the first City team to lift the FA Youth Cup for 12 years and in doing so, ended their agonising run of four final losses. 
This weekends fixtures are;
UD Poblense v Getafe B Sunday 12 Midday
UD Ibiza v Atzeneta Sunday 12 Midday 
Hercules v Peña Deportiva Sunday 12 Midday
Real Mallorca v Ponferradina Sunday 18.15
In Tercera Division here in the Balearics, Group A is being led by Andratx who have maximum points from their 3 games. In Group B Platges de Calvia maintained their unbeaten start with a 2-1 win over previously unbeaten Formentera. 
My eldest Son Jacob who plays for CD San Francisco Cadete B starts his league season today with a trip to Soller. After 8 months it’s great to restart the league. But huge disappointment for him this week as he got injured in training. We don’t think it’s too serious but he’s out as a precaution so he can play next week. It’s the first game he’s missed through injury and another lesson learnt. 
Episode 15 of A Kick in The Balearics is out later today on you tube and on podcast on too. We have 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. 
Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday07.30-11.00am 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 

Next week is the World Travel Market in London. Now this year it’s not your normal Travel Market where delegates go for a jolly up on our tax payer money. Sorry I meant for some serious meetings about the tourist industry for 2021. With the current situation in the World then people flying in to visit a confined space at the Excel Centre, London, obviously isn’t going to work. So it will be a virtual Travel Market, all online and they will try to address the impact the global health pandemic has had on the travel and tourism industry and discuss a road map to recovery, identifying the trends and innovation shaping the future of the industry and show people the path that lies ahead.
I will keep my eye on it as it will be interesting to see what message we as the Balearic Islands and more particularly Mallorca has for the industry. The main markets we need to focus on are the UK, Germany and our own Spanish market. Right now none of these three are in any position for travel but there needs to be a plan as it won’t be long before Easter is upon us next year. In fact Easter doesn’t fall favorably in 2021, as Good Friday is April 2nd. In any year Easter falling so early a lot of businesses would choose not to open, because after the rush of Easter and putting so many people on contract there’s always a lull in numbers. Some will be desperate to open as it will have been 18 months since their last opened their doors. But it might well be prudent to wait just one more month. It will be interesting to see what the Tour Operators, Airlines and Hoteliers decide to do as they are in no position to start opening and losing money straight away. I imagine the start for the majority will be Saturday May 1st 2021. 
I read with interest that the Government will meet the cost of performing rapid tests on tourists both foreign and Spanish arriving in the Balearics for next season. They will encourage people to take a test before they leave and show proof on arrival. If they don’t have one then they will be given one there and then and I imagine run the risk that if they fail that test they will be sent back. I’ve been critical of the Government here for not really coming up with anything throughout the season but this to me seems a good idea. 
Right now the focus must be to clear up the infection rate here between now and April. Although Spain as a whole doesn’t currently have good figures, the Balearics has the second lowest rate in the country. The 7 day cumulative incidence per 100,000 here is at 225.6. The Canaries are the best at 108.3 and the current worst region is Andalucía at 4,698.4. Figures were from November 5th. There are constant fears of another lockdown like before but I believe they are unfounded. What they are doing is giving each autonomous region the right to decide what is best for their situation which is the the right way to go. We also have the option of shutting our ports and airport before a full lockdown which of course wouldn’t really work on the mainland. 
Let’s face it wearing masks, meeting six or less people and being at home before midnight aren’t anything like what we went through in the spring. We can pretty much get on with our daily lives but we must take it upon ourselves to follow the rules if we want to get back to some sort of normality next year. I believe there will be a tourist season next year, tougher than before of course but something for us all to build on in the years to come. In a few years time we’ll remember this “Annus Horribilus” and not believe that we passed a whole summer without working properly. Be positive and remember to look out for other people who might be struggling more than you. 
Take care everyone and enjoy your weekend! 
Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday07.30-11.00am 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

I sometimes wonder whether the people that work in Government actually have a grip on real life and think they are above the law. I’m talking both here in Spain and back in the UK. The UK had the situation earlier in the year of Dominic Cummings the Chief adviser to Boris Johnson breaking lockdown rules by driving from London to Durham with his family when everyone was told to stay at home. Over here in Mallorca the Balearic President Francina Armengol was “allegedly” seen out in a bar after the curfew time of 1am. Neither have resigned or fined as far as I am aware which I’m sure wouldn’t have been the case if it was me or you. 

Now there doesn’t seem to be many countries whose Governments have handled this Covid crisis well. But both the UK and Spain are two of the worst. 

Here in Spain, although tough I thought the lockdown was needed earlier in the year, but because of pressure to reopen particularly the economy we are now suffering a heavier second wave. In the UK they were slower to react so the recovery was slower but likewise pressure to reopen the economy has led to another heavier second wave. 

Another great saying is “reading the room” which once again I think neither Government has done in the latest news. In the Uk the Marcus Rashford and free school meals is a current hot potato(forgive the pun). They’ve already reversed it once so what made them think this time would be any different? 

Over here they’ve done something even worse in my opinion. Firstly it’s worth noting that here in Spain we are run by a coalition Government which never works. Each party are in it for themselves so a 100% agreement on anything hardly ever happens. The Government moved this week for a new state of alarm, different to the one before with the main element being a nighttime curfew of 12 midnight to 6am. That’s here in Mallorca and each region decides on their hours. 

Now they have asked for it to be extended to May 2021. Tourism in Spain as a whole accounts for 12% of the country’s GDP. But if you’re in a tourist region like us in Mallorca that number is a lot higher, 44% directly and 85% indirectly. So who in their right mind would want to extend it to May next year? Take it to the end of year fine and reset and see where you are. Remember that the peak holiday booking period is January so how many people are going to be put off coming here if there may or may not be a state of alarm in progress? The lunatics have taken over the asylum. Also give the people living here some hope because the negativity is overwhelming. I am aware that we can change our status like the Canaries have done but that is down to the rate of contagion. Don’t be surprised that the Canaries start having problems down the line with so many people wanting some warm weather. Although I do hope that’s not the case and they get through it. Our Government should be watching and even going there to get experience to bring back here. 

Compare and contrast all that to Lloyd Milen the British Consul General to Catalonia, the Balearic Islands, Aragon and Andorra. I’ve met and interviewed him on many occasions and he always has great advice to pass on to our listeners. In fact the websites that they have are very useful and informative. 

http://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-Spain 

http://www.supportinspain.info 

The most important things for us to concentrate on between now and Brexit are. 

Register as a resident. 

Register for Healthcare.

Passport up to date.

Swap you UK Driving Licence for a Spanish one. 

Apply for your TIE identity card. 

Remembering that there are quite a few official holidays between now and the end of the year. So don’t leave it to the last minute!

Now I promise you this is not a blatant plug for my birthday next Wednesday but I wanted to tell you more about Brad Robertson and the amazing team at Save the Med. Their mission, to enable the Mediterranean Sea to recover its rich biodiversity and to thrive in harmony with prospering, environmentally conscious and proactive local populations. I met Brad after a mutual friend asked me to reach out to him as he was doing some great work on the island. I did and have interviewed him on many occasions. In 2018 we donated 3,719.62€ from our Radiothon to help the projects they had in place at that time. 

One of the projects they are currently working on is “Med Ghost Fads”. Each year, over 800.000 tons of illegal ghost gear enter the marine ecosystem, causing entanglement of hundreds of thousands of marine animals and seabirds and capturing over one third of the global fish catch. The project ‘Med Ghost FADs‘ aims to unite key actors and stakeholders to stop the alarming increase of ghost gear in the Mediterranean, a destructive fishing method which is threatening to reverse the positive effects of over 40 years of conservation work in the area. You only have to see some of the images to see the harm this is doing. Go to the Save the Med website for more information on that and all the other projects they have going on. 

They rely on grants, private investment support and donations. On Facebook you can choose a charity to donate to on your birthday and I thought they should benefit for mine. So if you can help that will be great. I am Richard Prior on Facebook. Thank You! 

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 good week for Real Mallorca with a win away and a win at home. Last Monday they went to Alcorcon and won 0-2. With goals from Antonio Sanchez and Marc Cardona. Then last night they won 3-1 against Malaga with goals from Amath Ndiaye, Antonio Raillo and Dani Rodriguez. The goal that was conceded was the first since the opening game of the season which meant there were 738 minutes between the two. Ironically it was scored by a former player of Mallorca Pablo Chavarria who was with the club last year. 

After 9 games they’ve won 5, drawn 3 and lost 1. They’ve scored 9 goals and conceded just 2. They now lie in 3rd place, 2 points behind the leaders Espanyol. 

After a good start in Segunda B last week Atlético Baleares went to Rayo Majadahonda in good spirits. Coming away with a 2-0 loss though certainly wasn’t in the plans. They need to get back to winning ways this Sunday with a home game against Atlético Madrid B. 

The Club have reached an agreement with local television company IB3 to show their home games live on the channel. Which is good news for the season ticket holders who can’t get in as they are limited to 1000 fans inside the stadium. Plus all other fans who’d like to see them play. 

UD Poblense got a creditable 1-1 home draw against UD San Sebastián Reyes in their first home game in Segunda B in 31 years. Going down 0-1 in the opening minute wasn’t a great start but they fought back to equalise. 

Better news in Ibiza where UD Ibiza are top after winning their first two games and Peña Deportiva are second with four points. Ibiza breezed past CF La Nucia 3-0 and Peña got a battling 0-0 draw away against Valencia B. 

UD Ibiza’s game against Alcoyano has been cancelled due to one of the Alcoyano players contracting coronavirus. 

This weekends fixtures;

Atlético Baleares v Atlético Madrid B Sunday at 12 midday.

Las Rozas v UD Poblense Sunday at 12 midday.

Peña Deportiva v Atlético Levante at 12 midday

Alcoyano v UD Ibiza Postponed 

Real Zaragoza v Real Mallorca Sunday at 16.00

In Tercera Division here in the Balearics, Andratx currently lead group A with two wins from two games. In group B it’s a little tighter with three teams on six points, Formentera are first, Llosetense are second and Platges de Calvia third they are split by goal difference. 

División Honor the highest level in youth football starts this weekend. Mallorca has three teams in the competition, Real Mallorca, CD San Francisco and Penya Arrabal. San Francisco have had their game cancelled against Club Esportiu Europa as one of their opponents squad has contracted coronavirus. 

My son Jacobs San Francisco Cadete B team won their return against Penya Arrabal 2-1 in a good game which we watched from outside the ground. The Club are carrying on their stance of not allowing spectators inside the ground. 

Episode 14 of A Kick in The Balearics is out tomorrow on you tube and on podcast on too. We have 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 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 

Having spent 30 years living on the island, there’s been plenty of ups and downs. To be honest I’ve been lucky enough to experience more ups than downs. However this winter is definitely going to be the toughest for many so far. Now normally we know winters need to be toughened out as there’s not much work around but that’s made easier by having worked a summer season and receiving some unemployment support from the Government. But most people right now haven’t worked since October last year which means that they probably aren’t entitled to unemployment benefit. There is something called “Ayuda” but that won’t help you get through a month. The ERTE scheme was extended for certain industries until the end of January but even at 70% of the monthly wage, some people are still struggling. 

One thing I’ve learnt during my time here on the island is there are lots of very generous people out there. Remember even in the height of the pandemic the Radiothon managed to raise a record 30,948.82€! There are 62 sleeps to Christmas, so this year, between now and the 18th of December we’re asking you to donate to the Radio One Mallorca Christmas Appeal. We can’t do these things without your help and anything you can do, we and the charities are very grateful. 

Over all the years we have ran this campaign and with your generosity, we have been able to bring Christmas cheer to hundreds of families, children and pensioners on the island. This year is going to be a particularly difficult time for a lot of people so we’re trying to spread as much cheer to as many as possible.

This year your donations will benefit:

The Salvation Army: if you have any new or unused toys that we can gift to the children that will be great. We are also looking to buy toys for children aged between 0 and 12 years old and these will be wrapped and given to the children for Christmas. This time last year they were looking after 80 families. Right now they are looking after 300 families!

Fundacio Nazaret: A Children’s home that look to promote the integral education of minors to transform and improve their present and future personal situations. With your donations last year we were able to buy a voucher at Primark for every child and we aim to do the same again with your help.

Age Concern Mallorca: An independent non-profit organisation run by unpaid volunteers who are dedicated to assist and look out for the well-being of the over 50’s English speaking residents of Mallorca. Jackie and her team do an amazing job looking after people of varying ages across the island and we are looking to supply them with vouchers to spend at a local supermarket. 

Son Espases Children’s Intensive Care Unit: We have a long standing relationship with the hospital and we have contributed to many different projects. We are looking to pay for a years supply of Netflix for the iPads that are used in the Children’s Intensive Care Unit. 

Yachting Gives Back: They are a food-raising campaign helping to alleviate poverty and hunger in the Balearics. They collect non-perishable foodstuffs & hygiene products and deliver them to those in need via local charities including Mallorca Sense Fam and Associacio Tardor. Before the pandemic the kitchen at Associacio Tardor was feeding around 400 people per day. That number has now tripled! 

Santa Ponsa Food Bank:  Based from the Santa Ponsa Community Church, they are serving and supporting neighbours who have lost their jobs and are facing food insecurity for the first time.

Through donations of money, food and your cooperation , caring people like you help Food Bank Santa Ponca bring hope, support and dignity in difficult times.

SOS Animal Mallorca: A non profit organization who look after abandoned animals. We are looking for food donations please.

This year, to help raise more needed funds we are asking anyone who would like, to sponsor a day on the radio! 

Starting 16th November to the 18th of December you can sponsor each weekday for your business or event. 

A presenter read will be read on air each hour 8am to 7pm and the presenters will talk about who is sponsoring each day during their shows.  You can even come into the studio on your day with a pre-arranged interview to talk about what you have sponsored for that day. 

Minimum 100€ per day for sponsorship, it’s a great way to promote anything you want and all the proceeds go to great causes.

You can offer us a prize to auction off or challenge us to do something for money. Even better challenge yourself to do something for money. 

Please deliver all donations to us at the Radio Station at The Wave House Hotel in Magaluf or call Richie on 670 704 311 to arrange pick up. 

We can take money donations via our charity bank account, credit card or in cash. 

For more information please Contact Jo on 691 231 139 or email Jo@radioonemallorca.com

Help us to bring a smile to lots of faces this Christmas.

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 

Last weekend I went to the first ever socially distanced football league match here in Mallorca. I was kindly invited by Atlético Baleares to their opening game of the season against Dux Internacional de Madrid. I had actually been to the final home game before Covid hit which was the 8th of March when they lost 0-2 to UD Ibiza. 

According to the rules they were allowed 1,000 spectators into the ground, which made me wonder why that was different from La Liga and La Liga 2. 

The football league system in Spain consists of several leagues bound together hierarchically by promotion and relegation. The Spanish football federation allows reserve teams to compete in the main league system, as is the case in most of Europe; however reserve teams are not allowed to compete in the same tier as their senior team, and no reserve team has thus competed in the top flight, Primera División.

La Liga is the highest level in the Spanish football league system and is operated by the Liga de Futbol Profesional(LFP). 

Segunda División, also called La Liga 2 is the second highest level in the Spanish football league system and is also operated by the LFP.

The Segunda Division B is the third highest level in the Spanish football league system and is operated by the Real Federación Española de Fútbol (RFEF), to be replaced by Primera RFEF in 2021.

The Tercera Division is the fourth highest level in the Spanish football league system and is operated by the RFEF and 17 regional federations.

The RFEF created a new division for the 2021–22 season between Segunda División and Segunda División B. Various Spanish media tentatively called this division the Segunda División B Pro. The federation officially named the third tier Primera División RFEF with Segunda B dropping the B from its name and suffixing the federation’s Spanish initials RFEF, becoming Segunda División RFEF and Tercera also adding the initials to its name.

Back to Sunday’s Baleares game, I had to arrive at the ground at 10.30 for a 12 midday kick-off. There was hand gel at the entrance and I had a temperature check before being allowed to enter. The refreshment kiosks were open so a baguette and soft drink were duly ordered. Interestingly they serve actual beer as opposed to the 0% you get at Real Mallorca. I wasn’t tempted at 10.30 in the morning, although I did notice others were. 

I was led to the area where I was asked to sit by a steward. You were asked to sit with 2 seats free either side of you and it was one row yes and one row no. Well that was the idea but due to the lack of stewards and the season ticket holders this didn’t properly materialise. Basically everybody wanted to sit in the seat they’ve sat in for years but this just wasn’t possible. You’d think that after 7 months of no football they’d be happy to sit anywhere and watch a game. Think again! 

I’m very impressed in the ground improvements. There are now temporary stands at either end and there are plans to build another stand on the open end opposite the main stand. The current capacity is 4,217. 

It was good to see Juan Carlos make his debut for the club. He’s from Calvia and played for the village team where my two boys started playing. We saw him play for Villareal in the play-offs a few years ago. 

He didn’t really have much to do as it was fairly one way traffic and made even easier when they had a player sent-off in the first half. It wasn’t a dirty game and I was going to praise the referee for his handling of the game, something you don’t often do over here especially in Segunda B! But in the end he sent-off one from each side and he only gave one other yellow card. 

Baleares ran out 4-0 winners with goals from, Haro, Pichín, Fito and Vinicius.

It was great to return to live football and I felt very relaxed in the surroundings.

Other results in Segunda B were;

Atlético de Madrid B 1 UD Poblense 0

Levante B 0 UD Ibiza 1

Peña Deportiva 1 Villareal B 0

Real Mallorca drew 0-0 away against Mirandes in another dour game with few chances last weekend. I know I’m like a broken record but still the strikers haven’t scored in 6 games but on the other side they’ve only conceded 1. They lie in 7th place before tonight’s game against Albacete, 5 points behind the leaders Espanyol. Their next game will be next Monday away against Alcorcon. 

Apart from watching Atletico Baleares last weekend I was delighted to watch one of my sons finally play a game last weekend. It’s been 7 long months and I have to be honest I struggled to sleep Friday night. Although it was 0-0 it was a pretty good game with both teams understandably very rusty. There’s a bit of a row brewing at the club as parents are not being allowed into the ground to watch training or games. Every other team as far as I am aware are allowing it, so it’s a bit of a strange position for the club to take. The papers and IB3 Tv have covered the story this week and I know a lot of the parents aren’t happy. I will keep you updated. 

Fixtures this week;

Valencia Mestalla v Pena Deportiva 12 midday Sunday

UD Ibiza v CF La Nucia 12 midday Sunday

Rayo Majahonda v Atlético Baleares 12 midday Sunday

UD Poblense v UD San Sebastián 12 midday Sunday

Alcorcón v Real Mallorca 18.00 Monday 

Episode 13 of A Kick in The Balearics is out tomorrow on you tube and on podcast on too. We have 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 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 

Amazing reaction and reach from my blog last week. It literally went around the World from Spain, to the UK, Ireland, USA, Australia, New Zealand, France, Netherlands, Antigua & Barbuda, India, China, Sweden, South Africa, Hungary, Malta, France, Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, Sweden. Thank you for reading and sharing I really appreciate it. 

Mallorca is an island of approximately 950,000 inhabitants. If you compare it to a City in the UK then Birmingham is probably the closest, at approximately one million. 

It amazes me that an island of our size can produce so many world class sports people. It is a fact that Mallorca is one of the Spanish regions with most world-class sports stars per square metre. Our sporting facilities are second to none from football to tennis to swimming each town has at least one of these facilities amongst others. There are so many teams that come to train at our facilities. Including Team Sky in cycling in the North, the Great Britain swimming team at the Best Centre in Colonia de San Jordi and the Son Biblioni football training centre just outside Palma, which has played host to several teams including: Inter Milan, Chelsea, Hertha Berlin, Sevilla FC and the Spanish and German national sides.

I have yet to mention the jewel in the World of tennis academies situated in the town of Manacor. The Rafa Nadal Academy opened 4 years ago this month and has built a fine reputation across the World. Which leads me nicely onto the man who won his 13th French Open title and 20th overall last Sunday, step forward and take a bow, Mallorca’s own, Rafa Nadal. 

Probably our finest sportsman and greatest ambassador since he first won the French Open as a 19 year old back in 2005. Funnily enough he is coached by Palma born Carlos Moyá who won the French Open in 1998. It’s a tremendous achievement for Rafa and this week the Spanish government has announced the award of the Gran Cruz de la Real Orden del Mérito Deportivo (the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of Sporting Merit) to him. He becomes only the second Mallorquín to win it after Joan Llaneras the cyclist who was born in Porreres. The Government in my view should ask Rafa to become an ambassador for the island as there isn’t a better person Worldwide who can help promote it is as an amazing holiday destination. With all the titles and money that he has won, I’m sure Rafa could live anywhere in the World. But he chooses to live in Porto Cristo on the East coast of the island. 

One to look out for in the tennis World is Jaume Munar, who was born in Santanyi. He is currently the 112th ranked player in the World and he trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy. At the French Open he was very unlucky to lose to the eventual semi-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas in 5 sets after being 2 sets up. There is high hopes for him in the future. 

Jorge Lorenzo was born in Palma, he won the 2006 and 2007 250cc World motorcycle Championships, and the 2010, 2012 and 2015 Moto GP World Championship. He retired last year with 68 career wins and he is sixth on the all time winners list. 

One to look out for in Moto GP is Joan Mir, born in Palma who has been riding motorcycles from the age of just 6 years old and hasn’t looked back since. In 2019 he started competing in the Moto GP World Championship riding for Suzuki and finished in 12th place. This season after three 2nd placed finishes he currently lies in 2nd place in the Championship and has a genuine chance to become World Champion.

I was lucky enough to see Marco Asensio from his debut playing for Real Mallorca. He was even at that time, head and shoulders above everyone playing in La Liga 2 in the 2013/14 season. He joined Real Mallorca from local club Playas de Calvia but it didn’t take long for the big boys to come knocking. It was a travesty for Mallorca to sell him to Real Madrid for just 3.5 million euros but he has gone on to win the Spanish League and Champions League twice. Not only that, he has played 24 times for Spain. He is without doubt currently the best footballer to come out of Mallorca and he is currently worth 40 million euros. 

I am closer to the football World so there are 4 Mallorca born players to look out for right now. 

Rafel Obrador is a left back who was born in Campos in the middle of Mallorca and has just moved to Real Madrid. The 16 year old signed a 5 year contract with Real Mallorca last October and has moved in a deal worth 3 million euros plus add ons. He was called into the first team squad 3 times last season in La Liga by former boss Vincente Moreno. He made his debut in the final game of the season when he came on as substitute in the final few minutes of a 2-2 draw. Madrid must have high hopes for him paying that sort of money for a 16 year old. 

Marvin Park is an attacking midfielder who made his debut for Real Madrid this season in the opening game of the season. Born in Mallorca, he joined Tranmere Rovers’ youth academy as a nine-year-old in 2009, and spent three years in the North West before returning to Mallorca and playing for Ciutat de Palma and Atlético Rafal. He then went onto develop at La Salle and Jonquet Penya Arrabal both in Palma, before Madrid snapped up the youngster in 2016, and Park has flourished at Los Blancos ever since. 

Pablo Ramon is a defender from Calvia, Mallorca who played previously for Son Caliu and in the CD San Francisco Division Honor 2017/18 team. He has just won the UEFA Youth League playing for Real Madrid beating Benfica in the final 3-2. He is currently being managed by former legendary player Raul.

Cata Coll is a goalkeeper who was born in Portol, Mallorca. She played previously for Sant Marcel, Cide, Marratxí and Collerense. She was bought by Barcelona last year and sent out on loan to Sevilla. She’s now back in Barcelona and looking to break into their first team. Whilst here on the island she was training at the Pablo Roca goalkeeping school where my youngest son Jude goes. She also trained with him a few times too. 

Rudy Fernandez is our most famous export in the World of Basketball. Born in Palma, he started his professional career in 2002 for DKV Joventut in the Spanish League. He moved to the NBA in America and played for the Portland Trail Blazers 2008-2011 and the Denver Nuggets 2011-2012. He then returned to Europe to play for Real Madrid and is still there today. 

I could go on as there are so many sports men and women who I haven’t mentioned but it is something to be very proud of and long may it continue. 

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