IBIZA CF: PASSION, DEVOTION, VICTORY!

THE START OF SOMETHING NEW

On the 23rd March 2016, Jordi Cruyff the son of the late great Johan Cruyff, announced plans for a new football club in Ibiza. After CD Eivissa-Ibiza dissolved in 2010 after going bankrupt, the small island town has had no football there for 6 years. After the council sold the old ground to Jordi in 2015 he has been doing a lot of hard work to get a new club up and running.

Cruyff announced the the club would take part in 4th tier of Spanish football from the 2016-17 season in Group 11. Jordi Cruyff, now the official Ibiza CF owner sold 51% of the club to Qatari investor, Abdulla Al-Thani, Cruyff expressed his delight in the deal saying they both have the right mindset to help the club reach its potential. Angel Becerra joined from Ejido as Managing Director and Marcos Guill and Juan Gordillo both joined from Real Union to become directors at Ibiza CF.

Jordi Cruyff announced on his Instagram that his fashion brand named Cruyff Classics would be the clubs official shirt sponsor for the next two seasons.

COACHING STAFF ANNOUNCED

Ibiza have revealed their new manager and coaching staff today, with Jorda Bellvé being named manager of the newly formed side. Bellvé has spent the majority of his career in coaching after retiring at the age of 29. Now 37, he has gained experience elsewhere with his most notable role coming as manager of the RCD Mallorca B team. Khalid Sinouh, friend of Chairman Jordi Cruyff has come in as the assistant manager. Isaías Pacheco has been named as the Head of Youth Development. Marcelo Carretero is the Goalkeeping Coach, David Zappata is the Head of Physiotherapy at the club. Jon Etxeberria & Miriam Peruzzi make up the scouting department.

Dutch-born former Morocco international Khalid Sinouh has praised the importance of Jordi Cruyff's contacts in the footballing world. He also said that he expects a 'total football philosophy' at Ibiza.

PLAYING STAFF ANNOUNCED

Ibiza CF's new addidtions to the playing staff have been released on the club website;
Format; NAME>LAST CLUB>AGE>POSITION

Martí Amer, RCD Mallorca B, 23, GK
Aitor Alonso, CD Amorebieta, 18, D R
Kevin, La Baneza, 19, D R
José Carlos Terrón, Lane Utd FC, 25, D LC
(C) Mikeldi Jimeno, Ath. Bilbao C, 22, D C/DM C
(VC) Jon Arzamendi, Oxford City, 24, D C
Rafa, Tenerife B, 20, D C
Jesús Pastor, Getafe B, 23, DM C
Antonio Hornero, Lucena CF, 20, DM C/M C
Ángel Montero, Lucena CF, 20, M C
Mickaël Cantave, CD Guadalajara, 19, MC/AM RLC
Óscar Pardavila, SK Gjøvik-Lyn, 23, AM L
José Manuel Carrasco, Albacete Balompie, 23, AM R
Pau Senent, UD Somozas, 24, M C/AM C
Josele, NO CLUB, 18, AM R
Parri, CD Badajoz, 24, ST C
Manuel Román, Cadíz CF, 21, ST C

PRE-SEASON OVERVIEW

A solid pre-season for Los Islenos with 3 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses. Performances got better as the team went on, the team can be proud of the way they played in the 2-0 loss against Bundesliga side Wolfsburg. However, there is a lot more work ahead for the team if they want to be successful.

NOTE: I will tweaking the style in which I post.

Any feedback on how to improve feel free to leave a comment & if there is anyone wants to see just ask.

SPONSORSHIP DEAL AND STADIUM PLANS

Today Ibiza CF announced a new sponsorship deal with local bar Blue Marlin Ibiza. The bar which is popular amongst tourists, will feature on the clubs home and away shirts.



Jordi Cruyff has announced plans for Ibiza CF's first official home. Ibiza have been playing at amateur side Atletico Islenos' home ground, Can Misses. But in 2015, Jordi Cruyff purchased the old CD Eivissa-Ibiza ground, which is located in the old town of Ibiza. Planning is already underway and Jordi Cruyff released some official pictures of the new ground (below). The new stadium will be able to hold 11,200 fans and can be restructured is needs be. The cost however has not been reported, although Ibiza majority shareholder Abdulla Al-Thani has said that he'll be paying for it out of his own pocket.

AUGUST & SEPTEMBER REVIEW:

A 2-1 loss away from home to Pena Deportivo is not how Ibiza imagined their campaign would start. However all would be forgotten as Ibiza went on a fantastic run winning their next six games. They started with a convincing 2-0 vs. Platges Calvía (H), then secured their first away win of the season with a 2-0 dismantling of Rotler Molinar. Santa Catalina (A) were up next for Ibiza however the win was never in doubt with a 3-0 in the end. Esporles were next to visit Ibiza and they caused no harm with the home side winning 5-1. A nice way to end the first and second months of the season. 16 goals scored and only 1 conceded, this run could be the start of something very exciting in Ibiza.

Player of the Month - AUGUST & SEPTEMBER: Óscar Pardavila
The Vigo-born winger marked his return from Norway in fantastic fashion scoring 5 in 6, making the Ibiza fans very happy. Shirt sales will certainly be on the rise this month.

OCTOBER REVIEW:

Ibiza went into October full of confidence winning thier previous 5 games. An away trip to CE Campos was next for Ibiza and they left the Municipal de Campos with the 3 points winning 2-0. UD Collerense were next up at the Can Misses and would leave empty handed, losing 5-0. Binissalem hosted Ibiza next but they narrowly lost 2-1 to Ibiza in front of a big crowd. CD Ferriolense would be the 8th team in a row to lose to the newly founded Ibiza, suffering a 5-1 defeat. Ibiza would end the month away to division favourites Llosetense who were 2nd place at the time of the match - Ibiza were sitting 3rd. The game was decided by a Baltasar Rigo header, Ibiza were defeated after a 9 game winning streak. Title hopes have been slightly dented.

Player of the Month - OCTOBER: José Manuel Carrasco
The young right-sided midfielder has sprung into life this month bagging 7 assists in just 6 games. This great form has earnt him a new contract until the summer of 2018.

NOVEMBER REVIEW:

Even though the month of October ended on a low for Los Islenos, November looked promising with an easy run of games ahead. Although nothing is ever certain in this league. Ibiza hammered lowly Penya Ciutadella (A) 3-0, José Manuel Carrasco scored a 30-yard screamer after 2 minutes. He then added to the scoreline to make it 2-0 with a superb solo run. Carrasco once again the architect of another goal, this time being brought down in the area before he could try and finish. Penalty given, José C. Terrón is more than capable from the spot, cooly slotting the ball into the top right corner. UD Poblense (H) were luckless and beaten 4-0. Jon Arzamendi heading in from a corner for the first. Rookie striker Manuel Roman bagged the next two before José M. Carrasco volleyed home to complete the victory. Full of confidence the team went onto beat CE Mercadal 4-0 as well. Goals coming from Manuel Roman (3) & left-back Kevin. Felantix were the next team to visit the Can Misses although they weren't able to beat Ibiza, losing out 4-0. Manuel Roman continued his excellent form, adding 2 goals to his tally of 9 so far this season. José M. Carrasco, another regular on the scoresheet made it 3 with playmaker Pau Senent making it 4-0 to the good. A brilliant month from the boys in blue.

Player of the Month - NOVEMBER: José Manuel Carrasco
The winger makes it two PotM awards in a row. He has scored in all but one game this month. Amazing form, amazing player.

DECEMBER REVIEW:

Just 3 games took place this month including a top of the table clash versus Constancia. We kicked December off with a resounding 3-0 win against Sant Rafel (H). Óscar Pardavila opened the scoring and Manuel Roman bagging a brace before full-time. Montuiri (A) were up next and managed to frustrate Ibiza, keeping their host of attackers at bay following a 4th minute Carrasco goal. 1-1 the final score after a bullet Alan Carrecales header from a corner in the 34th minute. Constancia, the big one. Going into the game Ibiza were 2nd and needed to win to take them top. Two Jon Arazmendi goals in the first half put Ibiza in the driving seat and in all honesty Constancia never threatened, although they did get a consolation goal in the 87th minute. Never in doubt, Ibiza go top.

Player of the Month - DECEMBER: Jon Arzamendi
The defender put in some brilliant defensive perfomances this month and helped out at the other end scoring twice. Brilliant from the former Oxford City defender who is being courted by Championship side Burton Albion just 6 months into his Ibiza CF career.

JANUARY REVIEW:

Ibiza go into January top of the pile. Only one team goes up to the third tier so they need to keep on top form - with games against Pena Deportiva, Rotler Molinar, Platges Calvia & Son Cladera, things could go either way.
Kicking off the new year at the Can Misses, Pena Deportiva who beat Ibiza on the opening day were next. Just 3 minutes in, holding midfielder Jesús Pastor put Ibiza ahead. However, on the 57 minute mark Rafael de las Heras put the visitors level before Canadian international Mikael Cantave put Ibiza in front. Two minutes later, Manuel Roman made it 3-1. A minor scare for Ibiza though as 3 minutes into injury time, Juanma Acevedo made it 3-2, Ibiza hung on to stay top. Rotler next up, Mikael Cantave scoring twice in the first half with Manuel Roman adding to Ibiza's advantage, a late Rotler goal made the score 3-1 in the end. A trip to Magaluf for Los Islenos and a relaxing trip it was running out 2-0 winners, Pau Senent with both goals. Another away trip next and this time it was against league strugglers Son Cladera. Manuel Roman scoring the opener and free-scoring defender Jon Arzamendi making it 2-0 before half-time. Ángel Hornero would make it 3-0 before the interval and another late consolation goal was conceded by Ibiza, although it would not effect the points Ibiza would take home - 3-1 the final score.

Player of the Month - JANUARY: Mikael Cantave
The four-time Canadian international put in some promising performances bagging 3 goals and 2 assists. Excellent stuff.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Chief Scout Jon Etxeberria has left for Sant Andreu for £5,000.

Mexican winger Roberto Cavazos has been signed on a free from Group 15 side CD Cortes. He will play in the Ibiza 'B' Team.

Championship sides Rotherham Utd and Burton Albion have both mades bids of upto 40k for defender Jon Arzamendi. The offers have been rejected.