By Andrew Atkinson
CD Montesinos’s relegation from the Valencia football league 1st Regional G8 – two seasons after gaining promotion – has lead to mixed emotions from supporters from the Los Montesinos, Alicante, based club.
But the message echoing from the proud football club town is “Keep the Faith”.
“After a great start to the 2018-19 season, winning the first two games 4-1, it seemed that continued success of CD Montesinos would be a formality,” fan Graeme Jolly told me.
“A string of defeats followed; losing key players, injuries and suspensions taking their toll,” said Graeme.
The club sacked manager Carlos Perez after a poor run of results – and vociferous criticism from the terraces – with Ruben appointed on a interim basis.
“I thought the sacking of the manager was a bit premature – the incoming manager did not stop the rot,” reasoned Graeme.
Added to woes, many of the fans felt that poor refereeing cost the club points throughout the season: “The standard of refereeing in general is not good.
“That, along with play acting and deception of the referee, is now becoming the norm,” said Graeme.
Graeme underlined views of many of the supporters, adding: “In the last few games I thought CD Montesinos did not show enough passion to escape the dreaded drop. Hopefully things will change going into the 2019-20 season.”
David Winder, club sponsor and loyal supporter, pulled no punches – when criticising a woeful campaign: “I can sum the season up in a nutshell – the majority of players were not good enough to play in the 1st Regional,” David told me.
“Most of them had no passion,” said David.
Mixed feelings came from the terraces after the appointment of former Youth team coach and player Ruben – although it must be said he was thrown in at the deep end – in a bid to get the club back on track.
“The club should never have appointed Ruben as manager. There was no direction, which, to me lead to no heart to play,” said David.
Comments echoed within the corridors of the club.
Injury to talisman striker Vazquinho, who missed the campaign’s last four games, lead to a lack of firepower up front: “Over the last weeks of the season there was no one up front to finish,” said David.
A general opinion from fans was that they didn’t get the run of ‘Lady Luck’, needed at all levels in sport: “We had a lot of games when the scores were tight,” said David.
However, he felt without outstanding goalkeeper Carlos, awarded in the 2018-19 player of the season awards, CD Montesinos would have struggled further.
“In many games Carlos made outstanding goalkeeper performances. He has been the saviour – on more than one occasion,” said David.
Carlos Lorente, who returned to the club this season, also honoured in the season’s awards, was also singled out: “Carlos Lorente tried so hard.
“Unfortunately the rest of the team were just mediocre – that’s my opinion. The manager was unable to motivate, or be part of a team,” added David.
CD Montesinos will welcome a new club president during the summer, along with the formation of a new committee. The municipal stadium in Los Montesinos will see CD Montesinos kick off the 2019-20 campaign on a newly laid astro turf pitch.
Much consensus was in agreement from comments received – with the never say die attitude – of the loyal Full Monte Supporters club, in re-grouping next season.
“Keep the Faith,” said David Winder.
*CD Montesinos – fans keeping faith.
