Segunda B (Grupo 4) preview 2010/11: Part 2

Unfortunately, since my first post, CF Atlético Ciudad have been dissolved after they failed to pay the €800,000 in wages owed to their players. In similar circumstances, Lucena, Poli Ejido, and Real Jaén have narrowly escaped automatic relegation to the Tercera División and the scary possibility of meeting the same fate as Ciudad. Écija Balompié and Jumilla fans are also sweating on their respective clubs’ precarious financial positions.

So, assuming there’ll be enough teams left to make this whole third tier of Spanish football malarkey actually worthwhile, let’s take look at some of the other Segunda División B (Groupo 4) sides…

Real Murcia CF

Formed: 1908
Ground: Estadio Nueva Condomina (33,045)
Last season: 20^th Segunda División A (Liga Adelante)
Look like: Charlton Athletic

When it comes to size and pedigree, Real Murcia are the big boys of this Segunda B - Grupo 4. Los Pimentoneros ‘The paprika-men’ hail from Spain’s 7^th largest city and have spent a total of 18 years in the Primera División, with fleeting appearances coming as recently as 2004 and 2008. In fact, this will be only their 12^th season spent outside the top two divisions, after being cruelly relegated by a 94^th minute spot kick in their final game of last season at Girona. This had the knock-on effect of demoting their ‘B’ side – Real Murcia Imperial – who would otherwise have lined up in this season’s Segunda B. Real Murcia also hold the record for Segunda A titles (9), which might endear them with fans of Manchester City who boast the equivalent English accolade.

Although the club was officially founded in 1908, reference was made to the brilliantly anglicized ‘Foot Ball Club de Murcia’ in a local paper five years earlier. The team also started out playing their games at the city’s bullring, I can only imagine that the criteria for pitch dimensions was a little more flexible back then.

Real Murcia’s famous ex-coaches include legends Ferenc Puskás and Ladislao Kubala as well as John Toshack and former Spain manager Javier Clemente. One of their most notable former players is the Argentine defender José Luis Brown – scorer of the opening goal of the 1986 World Cup Final.

In transfer news, Real Murcia’s highly sough after Spanish U-21 left back Sergio Escudero will be playing alongside former Real Madrid favourite Raúl in the forthcoming season, after joining Bundesliga side Schalke 04.

Sevilla Atlético Club

Formed: 1958
Ground: Ciudad Deportiva José Ramón Cisneros Palacios (2,500)
Last season: 15th

Look like: Southampton (in their special 150^th anniversary strip)

Current Spain internationals Jesús Navas, Sergio Ramos and Carlos Marchena are just the latest of a distinguished list of players to come through the ranks of Sevilla Atlético – the ‘B’ side of Andalusian giants Sevilla FC. Antonio Puerta would surely have joined them in La Selección but tragically suffered cardiac arrest whilst playing for Sevilla against Getafe in 2007 and died three days later aged just 22.

With the resources of one of Spain’s largest and most successful sides behind them, it’s no surprise that Sevilla Atlético have always been a force in the lower divisions – winning the Tercerca División on nine occasions (five of those in between 1981 and 1987). Over the last twenty years they’ve established themselves as a solid Segunda B side and recently spent a couple of seasons in Segunda A for the first time (although they could never actually be promoted because even if Sevilla FC were to be relegated to allow Sevilla Atlético into La Liga, the ‘B’ team would effectively become the ‘A’ team, as most players aged under-25 can switch contracts between the two).

Finally, a random factoid: Sevilla Atletico are the only Spanish ‘B’ team whose strip differs to that of the main side – sporting a Rayo Vallecano style red seatbelt on their shirts.

Real Betis Balompié B

Formed: 1962
Ground: Ciudad Deportiva Ruiz de Lopera (4,000)
Last season: 14th

Look like: The big Real Betis

One of the highlights of the forthcoming Segunda B – Grupo 4 season must surely be the ‘B’ derbi clashes between Sevilla Atlético and Real Betis Balompié B. The well-to-do/working class divide of Seville’s football teams is reflected in Betis B’s original name - Triana Balompié (Triana being a traditionally poorer district of the city).

Former players include ex-Spain internationals Rafael Gordillo (who was picked for La Selección 75 times) and Diego Tristan - Cádiz’s very own veteran striker. Even closer to home, Valencia’s flying winger Joaquín, came through the Betis B ranks and was born in my dad’s town - El Puerto de Santa María. In fact I can exclusively reveal that Señor Salguero was a friend of his father, Aurelio, who owns bar El Chino – where I must admit I’ve enjoyed a copa or two in the past (look out for Joaquín’s Betis shirt on display if you’re ever in there).

Further testament to Betis B’s youth development is that only Barcelona, Real Madrid and Athletic Bilbao have won the Spanish U-19 cup on more occasions.

Time for one last fact? Okay, the distinctive green and white of the Betis strip comes from the colours of the Andalusian flag.

Caravaca CF

Formed: 1969

Ground: Estadio Antonio Martínez El Morao (2,000)
Last season: 10th
Look like: Swansea City

Caravaca CF have just enjoyed their first ever season at the third level of Spanish football, finishing a creditable 10^th. This came on the back of a promotion campaign which saw them score an incredible 115 goals, making them Spain’s top scorers that year and no doubt causing a few headaches for the editor of their 2008/09 season review DVD. They, of course, had to beat Galician side CD Ourense in the play-offs (for whom Mark ‘The man who saved Alex Ferguson’s job’ Robins once had a spell).

Sadly, as with many sides in Segunda B, Caravaca’s future is uncertain with the club desperately seeking new owners before the 2010/11 season starts.

Club Polideportivo Ejido

Formed: 1969

Ground: Estadio Municipal Santo Domingo (7,870)
Last season: 4th
Look like: Manchester City

After a tense evening which saw the El Ejido based club raise the €300,000 it owed to it’s players with just hours to spare - and thus avoiding automatic demotion to the Tercera División - Poli finally put the kettle on to make a soothing brew (or more likely a café cortado) to calm their shattered nerves.

After emerging from the regional leagues in 1987 Poli Ejido bobbed between the Tercera and Segunda B Divisións until 2000 when they enjoyed successive promotions to find themselves at the second tier of Spanish football for the first time. The club found the switch to this level tough going but bravely battled against relegation for seven seasons until succumbing in 2007/08.

The following season, as a lowly Segunda B, side Poli Ejido produced an almighty shock in the Copa Del Rey by thrashing Villarreal 6-1 on aggregate. They nearly repeated this feat in the next round (last 16) against Espanyol, beating them 3-2 at home but losing 1-0 in Barcelona to be eliminated on away goals in a game where Poli had two good penalty shouts for handball turned down.

The last two seasons have ended in frustration for Poli Ejido, missing out on a return to Segunda A in consecutive promotion play-offs, but they’ll be glad just to be able to give it another shot this season after their brush with the football authorities.

My final round-up will hopefully include Écija, Real Jaén, Lucena, Melilla, Puertollano and the newly formed Lorca Atlético. In the meantime I’ll be off to España for a week or so, where hopefully I’ll have some random pre-season action to report on.

Until then, adios mis amigos.

Sal