Five years ago in Elda, football wandered through a dark tunnel after a season that many would prefer to forget. On the pitch, Eldense earned just 15 points in the Segunda B and suffered humiliating defeats, including a 12-0 loss to a Barça affiliate. Off the field, the image of the club was even more damaged as investigations swirled around match-fixing allegations.
Deportivo stirred from rock bottom and the doubts about its future began to fade when the city’s people reclaimed the club from foreign investors who had reshaped Elda, mirroring a broader trend in Spanish football over the last two decades. The move signaled a readiness to grow up and stop rushing to celebrate a Centenary that was still years away.
This would mark the first win on a long road, and then another setback followed. Eldense reached a century of existence with solid corporate footing and sporting discipline. Pepico Amat Stadium received a renovation with natural turf, and Eldense set its sights on the Segunda RFEF, navigating a tough field full of teams chasing rapid promotions.
Yet football kept offering Eldense chances to jump up a level. The team consistently chased a late playoff spot in the upper portion of Group 5. José Juan Romero’s men clung to hope even as recent results fell short, finishing fourth after a stretch of four consecutive wins.
Momentum built in the playoffs where Azulgrana needed two victories and delivered. The final win came in extra time, courtesy of a goal from captain Iván Forte, who has become a fixture in the club’s long, storied history. The celebratory night stretched into the early hours as fans lined the streets in an open-top bus, and players, coaches, and supporters shared a communal wash of joy.
In Elda, the crowd cheered as the team banished the shame of five years past. Supporters now look at Deportivo with pride, confident they will compete once more in the bronze tier of national football next season. Forte was joined by a chorus of cheers for Pablo García, Ángel Sánchez, Ramis, Eliseo Falcón, Paco Fernández, Guille Vallejo, Pajarero, and the rest of the squad who became town legends.
Romero, the architect of the ascent
The victory celebrations spilled into Plaza Castelar, with favorable weather, a City Hall reception, and live music attended by players, staff, and management.
The coach José Juan Romero was among the happiest figures of the night. He arrived as a bold gamble from sports management and earned his fourth career promotion on the bench after earlier successes in Gerena and Ceuta.
With a new year on his contract, Romero aims to keep steering the Eldense project in the First RFEF. The upcoming summer promises a plan full of fulfillment for a job well done. The party in Elda underscored that Deportivo’s fans are back, and the club feels more alive than ever.
Five years ago in Elda, football wandered through a dark tunnel after a season that many would prefer to forget. On the pitch, Eldense earned just 15 points in the Segunda B and suffered humiliating defeats, including a 12-0 loss to a Barça affiliate. Off the field, the image of the club was even more damaged as investigations swirled around match-fixing allegations.
Deportivo stirred from rock bottom and the doubts about its future began to fade when the city’s people reclaimed the club from foreign investors who had reshaped Elda, mirroring a broader trend in Spanish football over the last two decades. The move signaled a readiness to grow up and stop rushing to celebrate a Centenary that was still years away.
This would mark the first win on a long road, and then another setback followed. Eldense reached a century of existence with solid corporate footing and sporting discipline. Pepico Amat Stadium received a renovation with natural turf, and Eldense set its sights on the Segunda RFEF, navigating a tough field full of teams chasing rapid promotions.
Yet football kept offering Eldense chances to jump up a level. The team consistently chased a late playoff spot in the upper portion of Group 5. José Juan Romero’s men clung to hope even as recent results fell short, finishing fourth after a stretch of four consecutive wins.
Momentum built in the playoffs where Azulgrana needed two victories and delivered. The final win came in extra time, courtesy of a goal from captain Iván Forte, who has become a fixture in the club’s long, storied history. The celebratory night stretched into the early hours as fans lined the streets in an open-top bus, and players, coaches, and supporters shared a communal wash of joy.
In Elda, the crowd cheered as the team banished the shame of five years past. Supporters now look at Deportivo with pride, confident they will compete once more in the bronze tier of national football next season. Forte was joined by a chorus of cheers for Pablo García, Ángel Sánchez, Ramis, Eliseo Falcón, Paco Fernández, Guille Vallejo, Pajarero, and the rest of the squad who became town legends.
Romero, the architect of the ascent
The party celebrations spilled into Plaza Castelar, with favorable weather, a City Hall reception, and live music attended by players, staff, and management.
The coach José Juan Romero stood out as one of the happiest figures of the night. He arrived as a bold bet from sports management and earned his fourth career promotion on the bench after previously guiding Gerena and Ceuta to promotions.
With another year on his contract, Romero hopes to continue guiding the Eldense project in the First RFEF. The summer ahead promises careful planning and a sense of accomplishment for a job well done. The celebrations in Elda reflected a club that is more vibrant than ever and a city proud of its Deportivo.