Elche CF
Los Franjiverdes · Elche, Valencian Community · LaLiga EA Sports
Promoted with the most possession-heavy side in Segunda history, and refusing to abandon it.
The club
Founded on 10 January 1923 in the Alicante province city of Elche. The club's best years came in the 1960s, fifth in LaLiga in 1963–64, and a Copa del Rey final in 1969, followed by a 24-year absence from the top flight between 1978 and 2013. Martínez Valero, opened in 1976, holds 33,732. Elche came back up playing the most possession-heavy football in the second tier, and did not abandon it on arrival.
Things worth knowing
- In 2015 Elche became the first club relegated from LaLiga for unpaid tax debts rather than results.
- Their 2012–13 Segunda title side led the table from the first matchday to the last, setting points and wins records on the way.
- The only Copa del Rey final, in 1969, was lost 1–0 to Athletic Club at the Bernabéu.
- Spent 24 years outside the top flight between 1978 and 2013.