Eldense is Promoted to the Second Division
The weekend’s promotions have reshaped the landscape of the 2023-2024 Segunda División SmartBank. Ten years from now, two clubs from Alicante Province are set to compete at this level: Elche Football Club and Eldense Sports Club. This marks the return of the southern province to the silver tier of Spanish football after a 59-year absence.
The upcoming Second Division will feature three teams relegated from La Liga: Valladolid, Espanyol, and Elche. Additionally, the battle to reach the top flight includes six teams that survived the playoff pressure and remain strong contenders: Levante, Eibar, Albacete, Andorra, Oviedo, and Cartagena. The lineup also includes tenured survivors such as Tenerife, Burgos, Racing Santander, Real Zaragoza, Leganés, Huesca, Mirandés, Sporting de Gijón, and Villarreal B. Joining them are four newly promoted teams from Primera RFEF: Racing de Ferrol, Amorebieta, Alcorcón, and Eldense.
This map of the new Segunda Division SmartBank was born from the draw conducted on Wednesday, June 28. The province of Alicante is represented by two teams, Elche and Eldense, a development not seen since the 2012-2013 season when Elche faced Hércules and the green-and-white Eldense captured the championship. The upcoming schedule will feature a local derby between Elche and Eldense, bringing a familiar heat back to the region.
When they last met in official league play, the teams were separated by 64 years; their most recent encounter came during the 1958-1959 season in Segunda División. That season ended with Elche’s decisive 4-1 victory in Elda and a 3-1 win at the Altabix stadium. These memories underline the renewed rivalry and the historical depth of their collision in the second tier.
The Eldense club had spent time in the second division during the 1960s, while the Franjiverdes enjoyed their glory days in the top flight. With the Catalan club achieving promotion to the second division last weekend, a renewed encounter is set to occur as both clubs return to the same level for the first time in decades.
In Alicante’s scenario, the Elche and Eldense duo will represent the province alongside Levante in Valencia and Villarreal B in Castellón. The Valencian Community will be fully represented in the second tier, and fourth-place Castellón’s absence leaves a notable gap to be observed at the level. Supporters from the Franjiverdes and Barcelona circles will have multiple opportunities to follow their teams in person across the season, with matches at Martinez Valero and the Pepico Amat stadiums, as well as fixtures against Levante, Villarreal B, Cartagena, and Albacete where large contingents of traveling fans are anticipated.
As a curious development, this season marks the first time Andalusia will not have a team in Segunda División after Malaga moved to Primera Federación. Other Andalusian clubs like Almería, Cádiz, Sevilla, Betis, and Granada will feature in the top tier if promoted. Córdoba, Recreativo de Huelva, and Jaén continue their campaigns in Primera Federación, maintaining a distinct regional rhythm for the season ahead.
As always, the Segunda División SmartBank promises a passionate, fiercely balanced contest that can stretch over 42 days of play. Elche’s objective remains promotion and a return to Spain’s elite, while Eldense aims to establish itself more firmly in professional football and build a steady presence in the second tier.
Notes from supporters of both Elche and Eldense show a shared anticipation for the season ahead, with many looking forward to close fixtures against traditional rivals and new challengers alike. Local fans are hoping for a strong run that can translate support into tangible results on the pitch.
The narrative of this season centers on resilience, community pride, and the pursuit of growth within Spanish football’s second tier. With Alicante’s two representatives ready to push for advancement, the central question remains: which clubs will seize the moment and secure a durable foothold in the league’s competitive landscape? This is a season where history, geography, and ambition converge to shape a memorable chapter in Spanish football.
The league’s dynamics will unfold through a mix of familiar rivalries and fresh clashes, as teams vie for promotion, survive a long season, and aim to stabilize in a highly competitive environment. Observers and supporters alike will be watching closely how the newly promoted Eldense transitions into the second tier, and how Elche leverages its historical experience to challenge the established teams in the league. The journey promises to be long, demanding, and richly rewarding for those who keep faith with their clubs and travel to support them on away days.
Enduring fans understand that every season in Segunda División brings unpredictability, dramatic outcomes, and moments of collective pride that define regional football culture. The coming campaign will be tested by a demanding schedule and the fierce competition that defines Spain’s second tier, while both Alicante clubs look to create new memories in the league’s storied annals.