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About time I got this started, with the altas y bajas hotting up. Is going to be a rebound season hopefully, after a year when the top three was realistically decided around March/April. Looks to be as unpredictable as ever really.....and much will change before the end of August, depending on who can make the best deals work in the transfer window.
But for me, the start to this season is very overshadowed by the big story over Granada 74 and the general new rules put in force by the LFP that could redefine Spanish football, or at least, in the lower leagues up to the segunda. For those who don't know, the LFP introduced these new rules in order to help out teams in financial trouble. Basically, it now means that clubs can be bought and sold by rich businessmen and previous owners, but heres the controversial part: they can move the club to wherever they want in the country.
In 1999 former Real Murcia player Enrique Pina founded Ciudad Murcia, a rival club within the city. They entered the Spanish league system through the regionals and through Pina's good financial backing made it as far as the segunda division in 2003. After a relegation fight in the first season, the last two years have seen the club move forward a long way and now, for the second season in a row, they have finished in fourth place, just one of promotion. However, the club has always struggled to get support from the community of Murcia (with the club already having its "traditional club" and despite improving recently, has always received tiny attendances. So basically, Pina had had enough, and decided to cash in on Ciudad
Throughout the conclusion to last season we saw the new rules first come into practice as he looked to sell the club. He sniffed right around the lower reaches of Spanish football to the likes of Oviedo.....eventually selling the club to Granada businessman Carlos Marsa. The club was immediately moved to Granada and Ciudad de Murcia: 8 years in the making, gaining supporters and on the verge of the primera: ceased to exist. The worrying thing is this could happen over and over again unless the LFP change these rules back. There has already been rumours on the board about Barca B buying their way back to the segunda B, the president of Figueres (around 80km north of Barcelona) even tried to advertise the club for sale.
I was in Catalunya last week and happened to drive past the stadium of Figueres, and it left me feeling what the f@ck is the president thinking? It is nice and by all means new (if out of town, a feature I never like in a stadium) If the sale took place, Figueres would cease to exist. Much to consider for the LFP I feel. Perhaps when a big, traditional club is sold and moved, some action and worry might take place. Pina was looking to buy Cadiz after the sale of Ciudad, thank f@ck that didn't happen.
Anyway, to the league....the seven (eight with Granada) new teams joining through promotion are; Celta, Sociedad, Nastic, Cordoba, Racing Ferrol, Eibar and finally Sevilla B. After the promotion play offs I feel the latter could have an awesome season, but can obviously not be promoted, watched on of their games, and this team looked as hot as the first team. With the influence of Del Bosque, I also feel Cadiz will be strong contenders. Hercules seem to make some promising signings whilst the likes of Xerez, Numancia, Salamanca all have to be considers. The relegated sides could have a difficult time again, although Sociedad have received a big boost in the form of Chris Coleman, and Celta completed an immediate return two years ago. All depends on signings of course, and I will post the altas y bajas so far on the next post......
Hopefully this thread can get a few more posts than last season. The championship, Serie B, 2. Bundesliga...all seemed to get more activity than the segunda thread, so come on.....
But for me, the start to this season is very overshadowed by the big story over Granada 74 and the general new rules put in force by the LFP that could redefine Spanish football, or at least, in the lower leagues up to the segunda. For those who don't know, the LFP introduced these new rules in order to help out teams in financial trouble. Basically, it now means that clubs can be bought and sold by rich businessmen and previous owners, but heres the controversial part: they can move the club to wherever they want in the country.
In 1999 former Real Murcia player Enrique Pina founded Ciudad Murcia, a rival club within the city. They entered the Spanish league system through the regionals and through Pina's good financial backing made it as far as the segunda division in 2003. After a relegation fight in the first season, the last two years have seen the club move forward a long way and now, for the second season in a row, they have finished in fourth place, just one of promotion. However, the club has always struggled to get support from the community of Murcia (with the club already having its "traditional club" and despite improving recently, has always received tiny attendances. So basically, Pina had had enough, and decided to cash in on Ciudad
Throughout the conclusion to last season we saw the new rules first come into practice as he looked to sell the club. He sniffed right around the lower reaches of Spanish football to the likes of Oviedo.....eventually selling the club to Granada businessman Carlos Marsa. The club was immediately moved to Granada and Ciudad de Murcia: 8 years in the making, gaining supporters and on the verge of the primera: ceased to exist. The worrying thing is this could happen over and over again unless the LFP change these rules back. There has already been rumours on the board about Barca B buying their way back to the segunda B, the president of Figueres (around 80km north of Barcelona) even tried to advertise the club for sale.
I was in Catalunya last week and happened to drive past the stadium of Figueres, and it left me feeling what the f@ck is the president thinking? It is nice and by all means new (if out of town, a feature I never like in a stadium) If the sale took place, Figueres would cease to exist. Much to consider for the LFP I feel. Perhaps when a big, traditional club is sold and moved, some action and worry might take place. Pina was looking to buy Cadiz after the sale of Ciudad, thank f@ck that didn't happen.
Anyway, to the league....the seven (eight with Granada) new teams joining through promotion are; Celta, Sociedad, Nastic, Cordoba, Racing Ferrol, Eibar and finally Sevilla B. After the promotion play offs I feel the latter could have an awesome season, but can obviously not be promoted, watched on of their games, and this team looked as hot as the first team. With the influence of Del Bosque, I also feel Cadiz will be strong contenders. Hercules seem to make some promising signings whilst the likes of Xerez, Numancia, Salamanca all have to be considers. The relegated sides could have a difficult time again, although Sociedad have received a big boost in the form of Chris Coleman, and Celta completed an immediate return two years ago. All depends on signings of course, and I will post the altas y bajas so far on the next post......
Hopefully this thread can get a few more posts than last season. The championship, Serie B, 2. Bundesliga...all seemed to get more activity than the segunda thread, so come on.....
