Quick facts for kids
Albacete Balompié
|
Full name |
Albacete Balompié, S.A.D. |
Nickname(s) |
Queso Mecánico
(Clockwork Cheese)
Alba |
Founded |
5 July 1939; 84 years ago (5 July 1939) (as Albacete Foot-ball Association) |
Ground |
Estadio Carlos Belmonte |
Ground Capacity |
17,524 |
Owner |
Skyline International |
President |
Georges Kabchi [es] |
Head coach |
Alberto González |
League |
Segunda División |
2022–23 |
Segunda División, 6th of 22 |
|
|
|
Albacete Balompié is a Spanish football team based in Albacete, in the autonomous community of Castile–La Mancha. Founded on 5 July 1939, it currently plays in Segunda División, the second tier of Spanish football, holding home matches at Estadio Carlos Belmonte, with a capacity of 17,524.
History
Chart of Albacete Balompié league performance 1929–2023
This team is from Albacete a city in Castilla-La Mancha. It's been reported in at least four sources that football was first taught in Albacete by John Hulse, an English Engineer of the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railways Company, establishing the foundation of Locomotoras Albacete, after the same-named steam locomotive factory in the city, owned by the Goicoechea family, owners of Talgo. Thus, like in Swindon, football in Albacete is originally linked to the railway industry. Hulse introduced the Sheffield Rules in Albacete, and some of the first matches to be reported are against recreational clubs from Murcia (1897), Alcázar de San Juan (1899), and Villarrobledo (1899).
Log of match scores in football competition dated in 1900. The present document is allegedly one of the various sources of
Ottoleaks 1894, explaining personal perspectives on the dawn of football in Spain.
After years of amateur and regional development of football, it would not appear formally until the end of the Spanish Civil War. The club was founded in 1939 under the name Albacete Foot-ball Association, being later changed in an attempt to make it sound "more Spanish". At the second division in 1985–86, repeating the feat five seasons later.
In 1989, Benito Floro consecutively promoted the club from the third division to La Liga, overachieving for a seventh place in the first season in the top level. Floro would later coach Real Madrid, returning to Alba two seasons later as the club was relegated in 1995–96.
After years in the second division facing serious economic and sporting difficulties, Albacete returned to the top flight in the 2002–03 campaign, led by César Ferrando (later of Atlético Madrid). However, Albacete dropped in 2004–05 after posting just 6 wins from 38 matches, going on to stabilize in the subsequent seasons in the second level.
The 2010–11 season brought two coaching changes, with both Antonio Calderón and David Vidal (who returned to the club only a few months after leaving) being fired, as Albacete returned to the third division after 21 years. That season the club finished last in Segunda División with only 32 points in 42 matches. On 6 December 2011, Andrés Iniesta – who played for the club in his youth before joining Barcelona – became the club's major shareholder, donating €420,000 to the cash-strapped club. The club managed to reach the round of 16 of the 2011–12 Copa del Rey, notably beating Atlético Madrid 3–1 on aggregate.
In March 2013, Agustín Lázaro, chief executive officer (CEO) of Andrés Iniesta's winery enterprise, was appointed as Albacete's chairman. In June, Iniesta loaned the club a further €240,000 to cover unpaid wages, thus preventing its administrative relegation to the fourth tier.
In 2014, Albacete returned to the Segunda División, but was relegated two seasons later after finishing the season in the 21st position. The club again returned to the Segunda División in the 2016–17 season after winning against Valencia Mestalla in the last round of the promotion play-offs. Albacete finished the 2018–19 season in 4th position of the Segunda División, but then lost to RCD Mallorca in the La Liga play-offs and remained in Segunda División for the 2019–20 season. On next season, Albacete finished last in second division and were relegated to the third division. Thus ending their four-years stay in the second division.
Albacete promoted to Segunda in the 2021–22 Primera RFEF season playoffs, by defeating Deportivo de La Coruña in their home turf. The team came back from a 1–0 deficit, winning 1–2 with an overtime goal.
Seasons
Albacete Balompié
"Andrés Iniesta" sports city.
Ciudad de Albacete trophy 1994.
Season to season
Season |
Tier |
Division |
Place |
Copa del Rey |
1940–41 |
4 |
1ª Reg. |
3rd |
|
1941–42 |
3 |
1ª Reg. |
4th |
|
1942–43 |
3 |
1ª Reg. |
2nd |
|
1943–44 |
3 |
3ª |
2nd |
|
1944–45 |
3 |
3ª |
3rd |
|
1945–46 |
3 |
3ª |
1st |
|
1946–47 |
3 |
3ª |
1st |
|
1947–48 |
3 |
3ª |
3rd |
|
1948–49 |
3 |
3ª |
1st |
|
1949–50 |
2 |
2ª |
7th |
|
1950–51 |
2 |
2ª |
15th |
|
1951–52 |
DNP |
|
1952–53 |
3 |
3ª |
3rd |
|
1953–54 |
3 |
3ª |
13th |
|
1954–55 |
3 |
3ª |
7th |
|
1955–56 |
3 |
3ª |
9th |
|
1956–57 |
3 |
3ª |
5th |
|
1957–58 |
3 |
3ª |
5th |
|
1958–59 |
3 |
3ª |
1st |
|
1959–60 |
3 |
3ª |
4th |
|
|
Season |
Tier |
Division |
Place |
Copa del Rey |
1960–61 |
3 |
3ª |
1st |
|
1961–62 |
2 |
2ª |
13th |
|
1962–63 |
3 |
3ª |
4th |
|
1963–64 |
3 |
3ª |
1st |
|
1964–65 |
3 |
3ª |
1st |
|
1965–66 |
3 |
3ª |
3rd |
|
1966–67 |
3 |
3ª |
2nd |
|
1967–68 |
3 |
3ª |
4th |
|
1968–69 |
3 |
3ª |
8th |
|
1969–70 |
3 |
3ª |
14th |
|
1970–71 |
4 |
1ª Reg. |
7th |
|
1971–72 |
4 |
Reg. Pref. |
6th |
|
1972–73 |
4 |
Reg. Pref. |
14th |
|
1973–74 |
4 |
Reg. Pref. |
7th |
|
1974–75 |
4 |
Reg. Pref. |
1st |
|
1975–76 |
3 |
3ª |
17th |
|
1976–77 |
4 |
Reg. Pref. |
2nd |
|
1977–78 |
4 |
3ª |
2nd |
|
1978–79 |
4 |
3ª |
2nd |
|
1979–80 |
4 |
3ª |
2nd |
|
|
Season |
Tier |
Division |
Place |
Copa del Rey |
1980–81 |
4 |
3ª |
2nd |
|
1981–82 |
4 |
3ª |
1st |
|
1982–83 |
3 |
2ª B |
3rd |
|
1983–84 |
3 |
2ª B |
5th |
|
1984–85 |
3 |
2ª B |
2nd |
|
1985–86 |
2 |
2ª |
17th |
|
1986–87 |
3 |
2ª B |
17th |
|
1987–88 |
3 |
2ª B |
3rd |
|
1988–89 |
3 |
2ª B |
12th |
|
1989–90 |
3 |
2ª B |
1st |
|
1990–91 |
2 |
2ª |
1st |
|
1991–92 |
1 |
1ª |
7th |
|
1992–93 |
1 |
1ª |
17th |
Round of 16 |
1993–94 |
1 |
1ª |
13th |
Fourth round |
1994–95 |
1 |
1ª |
17th |
Semifinals |
1995–96 |
1 |
1ª |
20th |
First round |
1996–97 |
2 |
2ª |
4th |
Second round |
1997–98 |
2 |
2ª |
14th |
Second round |
1998–99 |
2 |
2ª |
15th |
Second round |
1999–2000 |
2 |
2ª |
10th |
Second round |
|
Season |
Tier |
Division |
Place |
Copa del Rey |
2000–01 |
2 |
2ª |
5th |
Round of 64 |
2001–02 |
2 |
2ª |
10th |
Round of 32 |
2002–03 |
2 |
2ª |
3rd |
Round of 64 |
2003–04 |
1 |
1ª |
14th |
Round of 64 |
2004–05 |
1 |
1ª |
20th |
Round of 32 |
2005–06 |
2 |
2ª |
13th |
Third round |
2006–07 |
2 |
2ª |
6th |
Second round |
2007–08 |
2 |
2ª |
12th |
Third round |
2008–09 |
2 |
2ª |
15th |
Third round |
2009–10 |
2 |
2ª |
15th |
Second round |
2010–11 |
2 |
2ª |
22nd |
Second round |
2011–12 |
3 |
2ª B |
4th |
Round of 16 |
2012–13 |
3 |
2ª B |
3rd |
Second round |
2013–14 |
3 |
2ª B |
1st |
Second round |
2014–15 |
2 |
2ª |
14th |
Round of 32 |
2015–16 |
2 |
2ª |
21st |
Second round |
2016–17 |
3 |
2ª B |
1st |
Third round |
2017–18 |
2 |
2ª |
17th |
Second round |
2018–19 |
2 |
2ª |
4th |
Second round |
2019–20 |
2 |
2ª |
17th |
Second round |
|
Season |
Tier |
Division |
Place |
Copa del Rey |
2020–21 |
2 |
2ª |
22nd |
First round |
2021–22 |
3 |
1ª RFEF |
3rd |
Second round |
2022–23 |
2 |
2ª |
6th |
Second round |
2023–24 |
2 |
2ª |
|
|
|
Current squad
The numbers are established according to the official website: [1] and www.lfp.es
No. |
|
Position |
Player |
1 |
|
GK |
Bernabé Barragán (captain) |
2 |
|
DF |
Mohammed Djetei |
3 |
|
DF |
Jonathan Silva (on loan from Getafe) |
4 |
|
MF |
Agus Medina |
5 |
|
DF |
Juan Antonio Ros |
6 |
|
MF |
Rai Marchán |
7 |
|
FW |
Juanma García |
8 |
|
MF |
Riki Rodríguez |
9 |
|
FW |
Higinio Marín |
10 |
|
FW |
Manu Fuster |
11 |
|
FW |
Fidel |
13 |
|
GK |
Diego Altube |
14 |
|
FW |
Pedro Benito |
|
|
No. |
|
Position |
Player |
15 |
|
DF |
Kaiky (on loan from Almería) |
16 |
|
FW |
Dani Escriche |
17 |
|
DF |
Julio Alonso |
18 |
|
MF |
Antonio Pacheco |
19 |
|
MF |
Lander Olaetxea |
20 |
|
MF |
Samuel Shashoua |
21 |
|
FW |
Alberto Quiles |
22 |
|
DF |
Carlos Isaac |
23 |
|
DF |
Álvaro Rodríguez |
24 |
|
DF |
Cristian Glauder |
25 |
|
GK |
Tomáš Vaclík |
|
|
DF |
Diegui |
|
Reserve team
Main page: Atlético Albacete
No. |
|
Position |
Player |
29 |
|
MF |
Capi |
30 |
|
FW |
Javi Vargas |
33 |
|
MF |
Neco Rubayo |
|
|
No. |
|
Position |
Player |
34 |
|
FW |
Marcos Moreno |
35 |
|
MF |
Luis Roldán |
|
Out on loan
No. |
|
Position |
Player |
|
|
DF |
Juan María Alcedo (at Mirandés until 30 June 2024) |
|
|
FW |
Dani González (at Celta Fortuna until 30 June 2024) |
|
|
No. |
|
Position |
Player |
|
|
FW |
Jovanny Bolívar (at Huesca until 30 June 2024) |
|
Current technical staff
Position |
Staff |
Head coach |
Alberto González |
Assistant coach |
Enrique González |
Technical assistant |
Salva Todolí |
Fitness coach |
Juanjo Rico |
Goalkeeping coach |
Carlos Cano |
Delegate |
José Manuel León |
Match delegate |
Borja Longueira |
Kit man |
Alberto Rodenas
Cristian Martínez |
Doctor |
Javier Soro |
Rehab fitness coach |
Sergio García |
Physiotherapist |
Germán Schwarz
Juanfer Pardo
Pablo Ruiz |
Nutritionist |
Celia Monteagudo |
Last updated: May 2021
Source: Albacete Balompié
Honours
- Segunda División: (1) 1990–91
- Segunda División B: (2) 1989–90, 2013–14, 2016–17
- Tercera División: (8) 1945–46, 1946–47, 1948–49, 1958–59, 1960–61, 1963–64, 1964–65, 1981–82
- La Liga promotion: (2) 1990–91, 2002–03
- Segunda División promotion: (2) 1984–85, 1989–90
Stadium
The club plays its home matches at the Estadio Carlos Belmonte, which has an all-seated capacity of 17,524. Originally built in 1960, the stadium underwent two major redevelopments, the last being in 1998.
International players
See also: Category:Albacete Balompié footballers
Famous coaches
- Dagoberto Moll (1960–61)
- Enrique Orizaola (1976–78)
- Máximo Hernández (1979–80)
- Ignacio Bergara (1981–84)
- Julián Rubio (1984–85)
- Pachín (1985–86)
- Pepe Carcelén (1988–89)
- Julián Rubio (1989)
- Benito Floro (1989–92)
- Julián Rubio (1992)
- Ginés Meléndez (interim) (1992)
- Víctor Espárrago (1992–94)
- Luis Suárez (1994)
- Ginés Meléndez (interim) (1994)
- Benito Floro (1994–96)
- Iñaki Sáez (1996)
- Manolo Jiménez (1996)
- Mariano García Remón (1996–97)
- Luis Sánchez Duque (1997)
- Ginés Meléndez (1998)
- Luigi Maifredi (1998–99)
- Julián Rubio (1999–01)
- Paco Herrera (2001–02)
- César Ferrando (2002–04)
- José González (2004–05)
- César Ferrando (2005–07)
- Quique Hernández (2007–08)
- Máximo Hernández (2008)
- Juan Ignacio Martínez (2008–09)
- Máximo Hernández (2009)
- José Murcia (2009)
- Julián Rubio (2009–10)
- David Vidal (2010)
- Antonio Calderón (2010–11)
- David Vidal (2011)
- Mario Simón (2011)
- Antonio Gómez (2011–13)
- Luis César (2013–16)
- César Ferrando (2016)
- José Manuel Aira (2016–17)
- Enrique Martín Monreal (2017–18)
- Luis Miguel Ramis (2018–20)
- Lucas Alcaraz (2020)
- Aritz López Garai (2020–)
See also
In Spanish: Albacete Balompié para niños
- Atlético Albacete, Albacete Balompié's reserve team
- Fundación Albacete, Albacete Balompié's women's team.
- Albacete FS, a futsal club from the same city.