Eldish entrepreneur Pascual Pérez Castillo has ridden a long arc of achievement over eight years. In 2015 he launched operations in Villena as a lean, affordable fiber and Wi‑Fi telecommunications operator. Today, the business commands nearly 900,000 customers and sponsors the company Finetwork’s national men’s and women’s football and basketball championships. Teams like Betis and Real Sociedad have stood alongside drivers such as Fernando Alonso and Pedro Acosta in his sphere of influence. Yet the most remarkable milestone came with Deportivo Eldense, a club he purchased for 200,000 euros to safeguard its future and steer it into the Second Division of Spanish football after three straight promotions. Like King Midas, his touch seems to turn ventures into success. (Source: Eldense corporate history)
Pascual Pérez Castillo does not fit the typical profile of a high‑flying businessman or a professional club owner. He is prudent, with modest habits, avoiding flattery and fame and eschewing suits and ties. The public eye, cameras, and red carpets do not define him. In fact, he has not granted an interview for nearly five decades. All of this persisted even as his team achieved an epic ascent to the Second Division on June 25, after sixty years of near impossibility. (Source: Internal club records)
One of his close confidants, Alfonso Losa, convinced him to take on the Eldense project with a single aim: to save it from disappearing. Pérez Castillo’s mindset, however, is anything but conformist, even in games as simple as a dice roll. The rapid rise in the club’s fortunes continued with a bold promotion from the Third Division to the silver tier of professional football, followed by a first season climb to the Second RFEF, a second season ascent to the First RFEF, and now a position in the Second Division. Facing debts approaching 250,000 euros, he chose to formalize the enterprise as a sports limited company, turning potential failure into a refreshed center of pride. The club’s value has climbed to over 13 million, restoring confidence and enthusiasm in a city anchored by a banner of sport and the euro. (Source: Financial disclosures and club announcements)
Pacual Pérez presents a plaque of appreciation from the Elda City Council in the presence of local officials. (Source: Municipal records)
Social circles do not define the president; rather, his primary notoriety comes from his company’s accomplishments. He is seen as a capable, self‑reliant businessman who values family and trusted friends. Guests who have known him since childhood attend gatherings at his residence, as do celebrities such as singers and top football figures. The roster includes figures like Alejandro Sanz, Sergio Ramos, Joaquín, Roberto Carlos, and Fernando Alonso, among others. Together, they illuminate Pérez Castillo’s circle while he remains focused on his core enterprises and the teams he guides. (Source: Personal network interviews)
horse and motor racing
On a substantial farm near Petrer, in a natural setting, he maintains a barn for bloodstock. Yet motorsports hold a special appeal. He follows motorcycle racing and Formula 1 with keen interest. For football decisions he relies on Vice‑President José Antonio Castilla, a trusted partner who handles day‑to‑day club matters when needed. (Source: Community profiles and club leadership notes)
The founder’s humble beginnings and his path to independence have shaped a life marked by resilience. He did not complete higher education, yet many who know him describe extraordinary intelligence. An autodidact in binary programming with a forward‑looking view of business, he has collected insights from Silicon Valley and beyond. He built Finetwork after gaining expertise and a fortune from patents and technological ventures. Securing an administrative concession from the state was a key early challenge in establishing a telecommunications operator. (Source: corporate biography)
In 2020, the company moved from Villena to Elda, occupying a modern warehouse in the Finca Lacy industrial area. Employees regard him with respect for his accessibility and down‑to‑earth approach. He makes a point of talking one‑on‑one with staff to hear ideas directly, an approach that extends to managers, coaches, players, and club staff alike. This hands‑on leadership style has become a hallmark of Eldense’s operations and culture. (Source: internal communications and staff testimonials)
Pascual Pérez signs the Elda City Council Honor Book during the city’s reception for Eldense’s promotion to the Second Division. (Source: Municipal press)
Training remains a public activity. He is often seen near the Nuevo Pepico Amat stadium, exchanging ideas with fans and even visiting the locker room. He prefers the stands to the presidential box and, on the first match against Castilla, sat among the general spectators, sharing the moment with Florentine. The man who revived Eldense and Finetwork is also a private investor in technology giants such as Apple, Amazon, and Google, proving his willingness to explore diverse opportunities. His journey was not a straight line to King Midas fame; he knows the sting of failure and the relief of reinvention. He has endured repeated attempts across industries and has learned to rise again after every setback. (Source: corporate history and investor profiles)