Rob Croll’s Sporting Son Ferrer Joins Dortmund Academy

Probably one of the biggest things to happen in youth football here in Mallorca for a very long time was announced 2 weeks ago — and I was lucky enough to be there.

Many of you on the island will know Rob Croll and his very successful Russell Martin Academy, which is named after his foster brother — the former footballer, Southampton Manager, and now the Rangers Head Coach. What you might not know is that Rob also runs the football club Sporting Son Ferrer and Mallorca Pro Training. So, he’s a busy man. But before I tell you more about the announcement, let’s find out a little more about Rob.

Born and raised in Brighton, where he went to school and college, Rob realised at that time that he wasn’t going to make it as a professional footballer. He went on to study sports and marketing at university in Southampton. He did some coaching in the UK and the USA and then spoke to his foster brother, Russ, about starting his own academy. The Russell Martin Academy was already an established brand in the UK, and Rob thought it would be a good idea to bring it to Mallorca, where he’d put down roots since moving in 2011.

In the winter of 2018, he began the Academy. He admits the first three months were difficult and that he wondered if it was all worth it. But after offering free football coaching sessions for local schools, things started to kick off (excuse the pun!). He began to be the go-to academy for non-federated kids to learn the technical side of football.

The pandemic was a crushing blow to most small businesses, and Rob was unfortunately no exception. But he managed to build it back up. Being a non-federated player means you don’t play as a team, as you’re not permitted to — but as the academy grew, the need for a team became greater. Around that time, he was playing for a team called Sporting Son Ferrer and was offered the chance to take it over. This gave him the ability to start building teams and retain players who would previously have left to play competitive football elsewhere.

They went from one to two teams in the first and second seasons and gradually grew. Last season, they had six teams — and the hope is that next season this will become ten.

Now, back to the big announcement.

I was invited to the Sporting Son Ferrer trophy presentation night at Oceans Beach Club. My eldest son, Jacob, has been coaching there for a year, and I’ve also been doing some work with Rob through Mallorca Pro Training. It was announced that Sporting Son Ferrer had signed a partnership deal with the German side Borussia Dortmund! From now on, it will be known as Club de Fútbol Borussia Dortmund International Academy Mallorca.

This is something Rob had been working on for months, and after visiting all their facilities in Germany, a deal was agreed. It is an unbelievable opportunity for Rob — but I also believe it’s a great coup for Calvià and the island of Mallorca to be linked with such a prestigious club.

Borussia Dortmund has partnered with youth programs and established academies in 16 countries, including Germany, Japan, Poland, and the USA. In the US alone, they have multiple locations, including Florida, Texas, Washington, Arizona, and Louisiana. They also have five academies in China.

Dortmund sent over two representatives for the presentation. One was Roman Weidenfeller, a goalkeeper and club legend, who made 453 appearances for Dortmund between 2002 and 2018. He won two Bundesliga titles and two German Cups with the club. He is highly regarded for his loyalty and dedication to BVB and now serves as a brand ambassador.

Christian Diercks, Head of the BVB Evonik Football Academy, also attended. He explained that their football philosophy remains the same wherever they are in the world:

• Embrace and create the training environment and attitude of the finest quality that produces real opportunities for players to reach their potential

• Understand and replicate the methodology and training focus needed at the highest levels

• Demand excellence and quality in all aspects of the game

• Create professional pathways for our players at different age levels

• Offer the opportunity for players to be identified early in their career and then monitored for progression year to year by coaches from Borussia Dortmund’s academy

• Develop coaches to their highest potential with exchange and learning opportunities

• Implement playing style and player milestones like the professional environment

• Use resources directly from the academy

• Represent nationally the Borussia Dortmund brand, the club’s history, and its outstanding reputation for player development

Rob stresses that although this partnership has moved the club to another level, the pathway for players doesn’t change. He adds, “Whilst we are aligned with a professional brand now, it’s still football for all. From the very first day that we started RMA and moved on to Sporting Son Ferrer to today, it’s always been about football for all. I don’t want anybody to think that they’re not good enough for this club.”

On a personal note, I look forward to seeing my son Jacob begin his coaching career at the club — and also to witnessing the impact this partnership will have on the future of youth football here on the island.

If you are interested in your child joining the club, please contact Rob on 0034 691 173 265.

Wave Mallorca Radiothon: 36 Hours for Charity

Friday the 20th and Saturday the 21st of June are the dates for our Wave Mallorca Radiothon. We start at 7 a.m. on Friday morning and won’t stop until 7 p.m. on Saturday evening. That’s 36 hoursthat Ayesha and I will broadcast live and non-stop.

In 2015, Jo from our then radio office asked Ayesha and me on the Breakfast Show if we would consider broadcasting for 24 hours for charity. The challenge was duly accepted, and the Radiothon was born. For the first two years, we raised money to support the Pirates Charity Premiere and their chosen charities. When the Premiere ended in 2016, we decided to keep the fundraising going, and in 2019, we extended the hours of broadcasting from 24 to 36 hours.

The money we raise each year is equally divided among our chosen charities.

The following charities have benefited from our previous Radiothons:

• 2015: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, the Paediatric Ward of Son Espases Hospital, Salvation Army, and Shambhala Foundation.

Total raised: 18,100.20€

• 2016: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, the Paediatric Ward of Son Espases Hospital, Calvia Lions, and Help for Heroes.

Total raised: 24,474.18€

• 2017: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases Intensive Care Unit, SOS Animal Mallorca, Fundacion Nazareth, and Club Vidalba.

Total raised: 23,384.60€

• 2018: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases Intensive Care Unit, Asociacion Ondine, and Feliz Animal Andratx.

Total raised: 14,878.50€

• 2019: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases Intensive Care Unit, ASPANOB, and ASDICA.

Total raised: 25,363.11€

• 2020: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases Intensive Care Unit, Yachting Gives Back, and Cancer Support Group Mallorca.

Total raised: 30,948.82€

• 2021: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases Rehabilitation Centre for Children, Yachting Gives Back, Santa Ponsa Food Bank, and SOS Calvia.

Total raised: 33,217.02€

• 2022: Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases, Cancer Support Mallorca, and Help for Ukraine.

Total raised: 27,163.49€

Total raised so far: 197,529.92€

We took a break for a couple of years, and I’m pleased to say we are back, aiming to pass 200,000€and raise as much money as possible.

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Charities We Support Every Year

Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital (GOSH)

My relationship with GOSH dates back to 2004 through my work with Pirates and the Pirates Charity Premieres. When the Premieres ended in 2016, I continued our support for GOSH through the Radiothons. I’ve “run” the London Marathon twice for them, in 2008 and 2010, raising £10,867.00.

Through the Premieres and Radiothons, I am very proud to say we have now raised a total of 763,185.10€ for GOSH, which has supported many important projects over the years.

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Son Espases Hospital

Our support has focused on the paediatric department and the children’s intensive care unit. Our most recent project helped fund the construction of a new rehabilitation unit for children. Other contributions include:

• Decorating an MRI scanner and its room

• Adding cartoon characters to the ward doors

• Creating a new waiting room for parents of ICU patients

• Funding numerous smaller projects

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Cancer Support Mallorca

Cancer Support Group Mallorca (CSG) is a registered association supporting the international community in Mallorca. Their mission is to help patients, carers, and anyone affected by cancer by:

• Reducing stress

• Empowering people with a sense of control

• Enhancing self-esteem

• Combating loneliness through connection

• Providing practical assistance

Rebecca, Bronwen, and their team of volunteers do an outstanding job supporting cancer sufferers on the island.

If you or a loved one is facing cancer, please reach out — they’re here to help.

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Yachting Gives Back

Yachting Gives Back is a registered charity that enables the yachting industry — including both yachts and service companies — to help alleviate poverty and hunger in Mallorca.

They support at least 10 different charities, including food banks and shelters. Thanks to your help, we’ve raised money, collected food at supermarkets, and even provided Christmas trees to shelters. Nick and his team do amazing work, and we’re proud to support them again.

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6Points Cycling Challenges

6Points Cycling Challenges was conceived by Bryan Visser in 2016 as a personal charity ride around Mallorca. The aim was to complete a challenging but enjoyable route around the island, taking in stunning views, countryside, mountains, and sea.

They focus on supporting a small number of charities to ensure a big impact:

• Asdica: Supporting young disabled people and their families in Calvià to help them live as normal a life as possible

• Shambhala: Providing education, opportunities, and growth for young people at risk of social exclusion

• SOS Animal: A long-standing non-profit helping stray dogs and cats in Mallorca since 1995

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How You Can Help

There are plenty of ways to get involved and support our chosen charities:

• Sponsor an hour and join us in the studio

• Challenge us to do something for donations

• Challenge yourself to do something for donations

• Offer a prize for our auction or raffle

• Bid on our auction

• Buy a raffle ticket

• Request a song for a minimum of 5€

• Or simply Just Donate!

We would love to see as many people as possible at our studios in Palma.

We’re located at:

Francisco Rover 1, 07003 Palma

It’s on the outskirts of the city centre, and there is usually parking available.

If you’d like any more information please call or what’s app me on 0034 670 704 311. Thank you. 

Iconic Ad Campaigns That Sparked Debate

The advertising world is not an easy space to work in. An idea that you think is going to blow people’s minds can completely fail—and likewise, a campaign you think isn’t going to work can do exactly the opposite.

There’s also a fine line between what’s okay and what becomes controversial. But sometimes, controversy can actually work in your favour. When you look back on ad campaigns of the past, you do wonder if they would survive in this so-called “woke” era.

Probably one of the most famous ad campaigns of the last 50 years was the “Hello Boys” campaign by Wonderbra in 1994, featuring Eva Herzigová. It ticked pretty much every box in the advertising world.

It increased sales, raised brand awareness, gained iconic status, caused controversy and public discussion, and finally, inspired imitation.

Likewise, another brand around in the ’90s that caused a lot of controversy was Club 18-30 and its ad campaign, which was put together—believe it or not—by Saatchi & Saatchi. Club 18-30 had gone bust along with ILG and a company I was working for at the time called Intasun. It was resurrected by its former directors, but under the name The Club Holidays, as the brand Club 18-30 was banned for three years.

In 1995, it was due for relaunch as Club 18-30, so it went with a very brash and in-your-face campaign:

“You get two weeks for being drunk and disorderly,” “Beaver España,” and—with a picture of a man in boxer shorts—“Girls. Can we interest you in a package holiday?”

Complaints were few at the beginning, and the management team were clever in keeping it away from London, where all the newspapers were based at the time. After eight weeks, it was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority—but by then, the “damage” was already done. Bookings increased by 30%, and I remember being in Magaluf, where all the talk was about people wanting to be on a Club 18-30 holiday.

These are examples of when taking a risk worked in advertising. Again, there’s a fine line between what’s okay and what becomes controversial. A company’s ad becomes controversial when it crosses boundaries or touches on topics that provoke strong, mixed reactions from the audience. This usually happens when the content challenges societal norms, pushes against cultural sensitivities, or sparks debate over ethics, values, or taste.

Quite a lot of companies these days use social media to get their message across. In 2020, Burger King did just that. They tweeted, “Women belong in the kitchen.” Why would a company as big as the one behind the Whopper say that?

What they were trying to do was draw attention to the fact that, at the time, only 20% of chefs were women. They hoped to empower women with the opportunity to pursue a culinary career. Unfortunately, they failed to realise that people often just scroll through their content feed rather than actually reading the full post or any follow-up comments.

Thousands of complaints later, they removed the tweet.

This brings me to an ad campaign by Kensington International Estate Agents here in Mallorca. They had a billboard which said “Game of Homes.” At first glance, it didn’t look too controversial—I read it as a play on words from the popular TV drama Game of Thrones.

But the Spanish press picked it up and claimed it was an offensive message to the people of Mallorca, who are finding it increasingly difficult to secure housing in the current climate. I saw one comment that blamed the company for massively inflating prices for corporate greed. But what happened to the phrase, “Something is only worth what somebody else is prepared to pay for it?”

With all the backlash, they agreed to remove the billboard.

Finally, there’s an example of a product that had no need for publicity, was highly controversial and provocative, and was banned by the country’s biggest radio station at the time—Radio 1. Ironically, the ban helped the song gain further notoriety, increased its popularity, and it went on to become one of the most commercially successful records of the 1980s, with sales of over two million.

That was Relax by Frankie Goes to Hollywood. It is widely considered a strong example of effective marketing, particularly due to its innovative approach to merchandising. The “Frankie Say Relax” t-shirt became a viral sensation, worn by countless fans and even appearing in popular media like the TV show Friends.

Oscar Wilde once said, “There is only one thing in life worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”

Discover Pre-Season Training Benefits in Mallorca

The saying “the best business ideas come from…” has been heard many times. Some ideas come from personal experiences—problems observed in your own day-to-day life. Others stem from a passion or hobby, where you’re leveraging your own knowledge and experience.

I would say mine came from a combination of both. I’ve mentioned on here before that, after working for 30 years at Pirates in Mallorca and wanting to continue living on this beautiful island, I needed to find something to do.

It was a natural step for me to move into the world of concierge, considering the number of contacts I’ve acquired over the years. I was constantly being asked for a variety of things, and turning that into a business felt like the perfect progression. I knew it was key, though, to be as diverse as possible and to build a team of professional people I could trust to deliver the quality and service required for such a business.

One of those diversifications came when I was out walking my dog in Son Ferrer early one morning. I saw some footballers training on the pitch there. These guys didn’t look like ordinary players, and I recognized the people training them. When I got home, I messaged one of the trainers to ask what he was doing. He explained they were running pre-season training sessions for professional footballers who were here ahead of their own clubs’ pre-season. That trainer was Rob Croll, along with his business partner and former professional footballer Sergio Torres. They run a business called Mallorca Pro Training, which does exactly what the name suggests.

I asked Rob if he needed a goalkeeper, as my son Jude was available. He said yes, and for the next few weeks Jude gained invaluable experience training with Rob, Sergio, and the professional players.

Once all the training had finished, the football season had started, and the winter nights were closing in, Rob and I sat down and put together a plan—not only to train the players, but to look after them while they were here. Rob and Sergio focus on the training, and that’s where I came in. We now offer a full service to the players, so not only do they train while they’re here, but they also get to enjoy everything the island has to offer.

Rob and Sergio are both fully qualified coaches, offering training sessions on the 3G pitches in Son Ferrer or on the grass pitches at Real Mallorca’s training ground. They also make use of the swimming pool by the pitch in Son Ferrer and the many beaches that surround us.

You might ask: why does a footballer need to do pre-season training before their actual pre-season? Well, it’s becoming harder and harder to succeed in the football world, so players are always looking for that extra edge to stay ahead of their opponents. Proof of that definitely came with the players who trained last summer with Mallorca Pro Training:

  • James Maddison – Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, Europa League winner
  • William Osula – Striker, Newcastle United, Carabao Cup winner
  • Dennis Cirkin – Defender, Sunderland, promoted to the Premier League
  • Alex Gilbert – Charlton Athletic, promoted to the Championship
  • Charlie Crew – Doncaster Rovers, promoted to League One

There’s your proof that hard work pays off.

I’d also like to add that the progress my son Jude has made over the last year is undoubtedly thanks to Rob, Sergio, and the professional players he has trained and played with.

You don’t have to be a professional, by the way—many semi-pro and amateur players have also benefited from Rob and Sergio’s expertise.

If you know a footballer who would be interested in this, please get in touch.

Email:

info@mallorcaprotraining.com

richie@prioritymallorca.com

UK-EU Deal: Impact on Mallorca Travelers and Businesses

There seemed to be quite a lot of backlash this week following Sir Keir Starmer’s UK Government agreement with the EU. Now, depending on which paper you read—and its political leaning—you’ll see varying reports on the reaction. The Labour-supporting Mirror said, “Deal is Win-Win,” while The Guardian reported, “EU deal puts Britain back on world stage.” On the other side, the Conservative-supporting Mail declared, “Starmer’s Surrender,” and The Daily Telegraph (or “Torygraph” as it’s sometimes known) ran with, “Kiss goodbye to Brexit.”

With any deal, there are always going to be winners and losers—it’s pretty much impossible to keep everyone happy. As I always say, the devil is in the detail. While there are various headlines surrounding what’s been discussed, a lot of it is still in the planning stage and should have a large TBC written next to it.

Purely from a selfish point of view, and focusing on the parts that matter to us here in Mallorca, I think it’s a great deal for travellers and businesses.

The food deal—or to give it its full name, the Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement—would eliminate some of the trade barriers erected during Brexit. This would provide provisioners, supermarkets, and their suppliers with the opportunity to import more UK produce more quickly and easily. I imagine this could result in cost savings, so hopefully we’ll see a drop in prices too.

Also, for businesses here wanting to sell their produce in the UK, the previous barriers should now be removed, making it easier and cheaper to export.

Using e-Gates-There is a suggestion that holidaymakers could avoid “huge queues” at airports through an agreement allowing British travellers to use e-Gates at European airports. The agreement states that there will be “no legal barriers to e-Gate use for British nationals travelling to and from member states”—but nothing firmer yet. It’s up to individual member states to implement this. I’m not sure if Palma Airport’s owner, AENA, will be too happy, after redesigning Terminal A to cater solely for British tourists and passengers from non-Schengen countries. But still a positive step for UK travelers around Europe.

A youth mobility scheme—which the government has now rebranded as a “youth experience scheme”—also appears to be in the works. The terms must be mutually agreed, as the final numbers, how the cap will apply, and the time limits all still need to be worked out.

If it does happen, I think it will be great news not only for young adults who want to travel and work, but also for businesses here, which are crying out for young workers. I do hope the Spanish Government acts quickly on this. It benefits not only young Brits wanting to come here, but also Spanish young adults, who should have a reciprocal arrangement.

As I said above, all these so-called deals still need some meat on the bone—they need to be fully negotiated. But in my opinion, the ones that affect us represent a positive step in the right direction. I had that opportunity as a young person, and I didn’t look back. I, for one, would like my children to have the same opportunities.

Spain’s New Workweek: 37.5 Hours and Same Pay

If you say to any worker, “I’m going to reduce your working hours but still pay you the same,” without a doubt they’ll respond, “Where do I sign?”

Ask the same question to employers, and I’m sure they’ll look at you in utter dismay and ask, “Why?” Most employers are already finding it hard enough to recruit good, qualified staff—and enough of them to cover the hours they need.

But the Spanish government is moving ahead with plans to reduce the official working week from 40 to 37.5 hours, without reducing salaries. Implementation is expected towards the end of 2025, and it won’t surprise you to know that the proposal has full support from the unions.

“This proposal is about living better, working less, and being much more productive and economically efficient,” said Labour Minister Yolanda Díaz, who put the idea forward.

However, the centre-right Catalan separatist party Junts has already signalled resistance, while the main employers’ lobby, CEOE, argues it will raise Spanish firms’ costs and make them less competitive.

If I’m honest, I lean toward the second opinion. This proposal is heavily weighted in favour of employees rather than employers, and it feels like a populist move designed to win votes in the next election.

I can understand it more on the mainland, where industries like manufacturing and construction are more prominent than here in Mallorca. On the island, tourism is by far the dominant sector, accounting for a significant portion of the economy. While specific figures vary, tourism is estimated to contribute between 40% and 75% of Mallorca’s GDP. It’s also the primary driver of employment, with a large percentage of the workforce directly or indirectly involved in tourism-related businesses.

Once again, Mallorca will suffer from a policy that benefits the mainland more than it benefits us.

Exploring the Palma International Boat Show: A Nautical Industry Overview

After working in tourism for most of my life, it was refreshing to immerse myself in a totally different world last week. The radio station was invited by two different companies to present live broadcasts from their stands at the Palma International Boat Show. The world of yachting is a fascinating industry that employs thousands of people and generates a significant amount of income.

To give you a full breakdown, the Balearics encompass 879 companies generating €1.106 billion in revenue and creating 5,145 jobs, with an annual growth rate of 4.26%, according to a report unveiled last year by the Balearic Marine Cluster. This was the first time a comprehensive overview of the sector had been provided, revealing the consolidation of the Balearic Islands as a hub for nautical activities in the Mediterranean.

Toni Salom, President of the Balearic Marine Cluster, stated in his opening speech: “The nautical industry in the Balearic Islands, representing 3.1% of the Balearic GDP, is not only an integral part of our local economy but also a symbol of our identity and culture.”

I was reliably informed by one of the exhibitors that the Palma International Boat Show is now the fourth largest in Europe. It has over 300 exhibitors and a 96% year-on-year return rate. On our site visit early last week, you couldn’t help but be impressed by the amount of detail people went to in order to make their stand or yacht stand out.

On Wednesday and Thursday, we were with Estela Yachts in the Port Authority building, which was right by the main entrance of the show. They are a full-service agency for commercial vessels, cruise ships, and superyachts, headquartered in Barcelona. They have offices and representatives on three continents and a global network for bunkering, shipping, customs & immigration support, and concierge services.

On Friday, we were with Precision Marine at their stand inside the show.

They provide a wide range of pragmatic, affordable, and always professionally conducted marine engineering services. They are experienced professionals in the marine engineering industry and have been providing successful services from 1994 to the present day. Their policy is to provide a quality service geared to customers’ requirements and deadlines. PME has been a family-run business since it was formed in 1996. Its founder, Andrew Wilcox, is still actively involved in the business today.

Outside broadcasts are fun, as they take you out of your comfort zone and make you totally reliant on a good internet signal. Unfortunately, that wasn’t always the case, but our plan B was to interview people and broadcast the segments back throughout the shows. All of this was great experience for us as we move on to the next big event. We met loads of different people from loads of different companies. It’s only when you get into it that you see what goes into making a successful boat show.

The vibe I got from everyone I spoke to was that this was one of the best shows ever, and they are looking forward to a very busy season. It’s an industry that, in my opinion, should be looked after by the authorities. I came away totally impressed by all the people who work in it, and we look forward to working with many of them in the near future.

Starting A New Chapter: My Mallorca Concierge Service Launch

2024 was a difficult year if I’m honest . Losing my Mother, having a few health problems and leaving Pirates after 30 years wasn’t how I had planned the year to turn out. I decided to take stock of everything and reevaluate what I wanted to do going forward. It did give me an opportunity to spend some time with my family and friends and do some things I probably wouldn’t have done in the past. 

My eldest son Jacob had decided to carry on his education for another two years which really pleased us. After doing a summer season at Pirates he had also managed to find a job coaching football for youngsters with Rob Croll who runs the Russell Martin Academy. More free time also allowed me to spend more time with my youngest son Jude who has signed with a football agency and was asked to play in a higher age group for his club CD San Francisco. At 15 years old he is already playing for San Francisco Juvenil regional and he trains and is the reserve goalkeeper for San Francisco Juvenil Nacional who train at Real Mallorcas training ground Son Biblioni. 

A few people thought I had retired but that wasn’t on my radar, if I’m honest. If I wanted to carry on living on this beautiful island I certainly needed to earn some money. The start of a new radio station came a little bit out of the blue and hadn’t been in my plans. However as I said before the feedback has been amazing and the feeling we’re getting from the community and also further afield makes me think we made the right decision. That was strengthened even further this week when we did three live broadcasts from the Palma International Boat show. I’m reliably informed that it’s the fourth largest boat show in Europe and is probably second to tourism as far as its size as an industry on the island. A big thanks to Estela Yachts and Precision Marine for inviting us to their stands and a shout out to all our sponsors that made it possible. It was a classic example of how a team of professional people pull together to put on such an event. We are already looking forward to next year. 

What I have been working on was starting my own concierge service. It was a natural move into that World considering the amount of contacts I have acquired over the years. I am constantly being asked for a variety of different things and turning that into a business was the perfect progression. 

I have built up a team of people who are professionals in their own particular fields and it’s a case of using their professionalism to help others. 

Therefore if I can be of any help to your business or you have family or friends coming to Mallorca or any of the Balearic Islands, please let me know.

http://www.prioritymallorca.com 

Magaluf & San Antonio: From Excess to Excellence

Back in January 2020, the Balearic government passed a decree law against the so-called “tourism of excesses” and for the improvement of quality in tourist zones. They singled out the resorts of Arenal, Playa de Palma, and Magaluf in Mallorca, and San Antonio in Ibiza, as the areas that would be affected.

At the time, these laws didn’t really come into effect as the pandemic took over, but when everything returned in 2022, they were put into practice.

In 2024, after the elections, the laws were relaxed a little—but what has changed in these resorts since 2020? Well, having lived and worked in Magaluf since 1990, I think I’m well placed to tell you about it. I’ve also asked my good friend Martin Makepeace to give you a view on San Antonio in Ibiza. We do a weekly podcast called Talking Balearics, where we talk about Mallorca and Ibiza. Martin, like me, has lived in Ibiza for over 30 years.

Magaluf, ever since I’ve known it, has had a reputation—some see that as bad, others see it as an opportunity for good.

When I arrived in 1990, families and young people mixed without any problems—even in the winter. Slowly but surely, that balance ebbed away, and the headlines became worse and worse. You didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that something had to change.

Meliá was the first to invest in the resort, followed by pretty much every other hotel chain, meaning that over 75% of the hotels in Magaluf are now either 4 or 5-star. Anyone in the know will tell you that Magaluf beach is still one of the best on the island. A new four-million-euro promenade is being built as we speak, with phase one due for completion at the beginning of May. Phase two will be completed in the early part of 2026.

In my opinion, the measures brought in were a bit draconian and wouldn’t have been needed if the resort had been policed properly. The map of the so-called “Red Zone” was drawn in a way that benefited some businesses and not others. It should have been a blanket ban or nothing at all.

It was the short-sightedness of authorities in the past that meant they didn’t understand that the youngsters of today will be the families of the future. Most of my friends had been to Magaluf in their teenage years. They loved it so much that, fast forward five years, they were coming back and staying in a four or five-star hotel. Fast forward another five or ten years, they were renting villas with their families—and all of a sudden, they are the clientele that the authorities want.

You need to give people a taste of what your tourism product is at a relatively early age and hope that it ignites that blue touch paper. They then become bonded and emotionally attached to that location for the rest of their lives.

My list of positives about Magaluf is endless. And when you look closely, it’s a resort that still mixes families and youngsters—and, in my opinion, for longer throughout the year. For families, there’s Pirates, Gringos Family Rave, Western Water Park, karting, Katmandu, the beach, and countless bars, beach bars, cafés, and restaurants to cater to their needs.

For youngsters, there’s Reloaded & Gringos, Oceans Beach, BCM, The Strip, the beach—and again, countless bars, beach bars, cafés, and restaurants to cater to their needs.

I like the new Mayor and his administration in Calvia and believe the changes that are being made are good for the future. Magaluf has changed for the better, and my love for it doesn’t diminish.

Reputation is everything, and the court of public opinion can be a brutal place, passing judgment without the full facts. But times change. 

San Antonio, or Sant Antoni de Portmany to use its official name, is a great example. The stigma of the 80s and 90s still lingers—but it ain’t 1987 anymore. It’s 2025, and the shackles have been released.

New luxury hotels, top-end restaurants serving delicious food, world-class entertainment venues, a sunset that many say is the best on the planet—and more importantly, a young, ambitious mayor who’s not afraid to try new things, improve infrastructure, and make big plans for the future with major investment.

San Antonio now has some of the most expensive real estate in Spain and is already the most expensive place to rent. The gentrification process continues unabated on a small island with limited space. This is the yin and yang of an island that has seen incredible growth over the last 15 years. 

Being comfortable in your own skin takes time, and Ibiza’s second-largest town is finally the mature adult it wanted to be—rather than a sulky teenager prone to bouts of self-harm. 

“It’s a process” is a well-used phrase, and the perception of San Antonio is no different. But this can only be changed by a potent mixture of self-awareness, communication, consistency, and patience. The town is now controlling its own narrative—with actions rather than words. 

New and improved pedestrianised areas, world-famous street art, a new environmentally friendly summer police station, a spanking new port area, plans for cutting-edge sports facilities… and this is just in the last 12 months!

The future is bright. San Antonio isn’t walking into the future—it’s sprinting with confidence.

We both feel that the tourist model of Mallorca and Ibiza is changing for the better—and will need to change even more to keep up with its competitors.

You can hear “Talking Balearics” every week wherever you get your podcasts and Martins blog is https://maninsanan.com

Family Memories: Arsenal vs Real Madrid Experience

I’ve been lucky enough in my life to experience some amazing days watching football. That includes watching my sons play, watching Real Mallorca, and of course, the team I’ve supported since I was a boy—Arsenal.

I have to say that our experience together last Wednesday night in Madrid probably tops the lot. I’ve seen Arsenal win league titles and FA Cups, but the Champions League is something that has evaded us in my lifetime. My boys, in their lifetime, have only seen an FA Cup win—we’ve been nowhere near the Champions League final. We got there in the 2005/06 season, losing to Barcelona in the final. Interestingly, that year we played Real Madrid in the last 16 and beat them 1-0 with an amazing solo goal from Thierry Henry. This was the Galácticos Madrid team of Beckham, Zidane, and Ronaldo et al., who were expected to win the competition. I was at that game too, in Madrid, but my eldest, Jacob, was only a few months old, and my youngest, Jude, hadn’t even been thought about!

Twenty years on, we were preparing to play them again—and with a 3-0 lead from the first leg, what could go wrong? I’ve always kept good contacts in my life, especially football ones, as you never know when you might need them. So when we drew Real Madrid in the quarter-finals, there was only one person I needed to ask for the away leg. Florentino Pérez, the President of Real Madrid, had been to Pirates on a couple of occasions in the past, and his daughter, Cuchy Pérez, used to come to the show every year. She sent me the price list for Madrid fans, which ranged from €125 to €450! Not a cheap night out, but we couldn’t miss it. With our residents’ 75% flight discount, the flights were pretty reasonable, and with the flight times as they were, we decided not to book a hotel.

Arriving in Madrid, we made our way to Plaza Mayor, where the majority of the Arsenal fans were congregating. It was all good fun, with the beer flowing and songs being sung—that was until the national police decided at 17:00 it was time to move everybody on. Arsenal supporters don’t have a bad reputation, but I think it’s just because we’re English that we’re treated in such a way. There was no reason given to move us along four hours before kick-off—just a whistle and some pushing. We decided to get a taxi to the stadium and ended up in an Irish bar close to the ground. The reason? You couldn’t get anywhere near the stadium because there were thousands of Madrid fans preparing a special welcome for their players’ arrival.

Once inside the stadium, we quickly realised—after climbing staircase after staircase—that our €125 ticket wasn’t going to be anywhere near the pitch. The Santiago Bernabéu is an imposing stadium, and since it’s been refurbished, it’s gone to another level. If you suffer from vertigo, you might get put off—the banking of the stands and the closing of the roof made the atmosphere electric. We were so high up we had two big screens above us just to see the game close-up.

Arsenal played just as well in the second leg as they had in the first, but Madrid were, without doubt, very disappointing. On paper, a team that contains Mbappé, Vinícius Jr, and Bellingham—to name a few—should be a frightening prospect. But they didn’t turn up in either game, if I’m honest, and you could feel the frustration among their fans.

There were a lot of Arsenal fans, like us, sitting among the Madrid fans, but without any problems. At the end, we made our way to the away end to celebrate with the rest of the supporters. We were ecstatic, and the most popular song was: “Arsenal at the Bernabéu, Tottenham watching Emmerdale!”

If, like us, you decide not to book a hotel and try to get some sleep at the airport—let me warn you—it’s not very comfortable.

We’ve decided not to go to the semi-final against PSG, either in London or Paris, but hopefully save ourselves for the final at the Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany.

We can dream, can’t we?