Eldense and the Second Division Journey for 2023-2024
As the new season approaches, Deportivo Eldense faces a renewed test in the Second Division. The calendar will feature top clubs including Barcelona and twenty other squads that will shape the race for promotion and the standings. Along the way, teams like Espanyol and Valladolid, familiar rivals from earlier rounds, have experienced the ups and downs of recent campaigns. Elche CF also concluded its time in the top tier, ending the Elche’s high hopes for a continued stay in the premier division.
In the same breath, Eldense will cross paths with former foes encountered in prior seasons. Alcorcón and Racing de Ferrol have pushed for promotion since the First Federation, and they will pursue the same ambitious goals as the season resumes.
Rivalries endure with clubs such as Levante and Racing Santander likely to join the Eldense challenge, each aiming to secure a place alongside the azulgranas in Spain’s top flight.
Eldense Keeps Progress in the Second Division
The Valencia Community continues to be the dominant region for Second Division clubs, hosting four teams across three provinces: Villarreal B in Castellón, Levante in Valencia, Elche CF in Alicante, and CD Eldense in Alicante. The landscape underscores an exciting title race, with the prospect of a fourth promotion a demanding target, yet the Estévez group remains resolute.
Located in a town renowned for its footwear, Eldense will bid farewell to key contributors like Manu Nieto, who played a decisive role in four playoff matches while the loaned player returns to Andorra. Other departures include Diego González, who left Eldense, and Gerard, who will rejoin Barcelona through the club’s development structure.
Elda: Among the Smallest Municipalities
The town of Elda ranks as one of the smaller municipalities within the Second Division region, with a population of roughly 52,000 residents that help sustain the club’s presence across the province. Nearby, Villarreal hosts about 51,369 residents, Eibar about 27,282, Miranda de Ebro roughly 35,239, and Amorebieta-Etxano, the smallest with under 20,000. Villarreal’s first team competes at the highest level, underscoring a region rich in footballing culture and talent.
A New Phase Begins
The stadium project centers on transforming the venue into a multifunctional space that serves sports and culture alike. The Barca squad seeks a venue that meets Second Division standards, with a plan for a new stadium that complies with league requirements: a minimum 6,000 seats, on-field adjustments, and natural grass suitable for high-level broadcasting. Currently, Eldense’s stadium accommodates 4,036 spectators, leaving room to expand up to 18,000 seats as development progresses.
The horizon for the stadium project includes a vision by Pascual Pérez, the Eldense president, to elevate Nuevo Pepico Amat within two years. In the upcoming season’s opening phase, attention will focus on pitch readiness and audiovisual preparations, dedicating seven weeks to preparing the venue for league action.
The broader plan envisions a mixed-use development featuring a hotel complex, commercial areas, and underground parking capable of housing 3,000 vehicles. The overarching aim is a versatile stadium capable of hosting League fixtures, including matches for Barça, while also supporting cultural and leisure events.