Overview of the Las Palmas Football Team
Las Palmas Football Club, commonly known as UD Las Palmas, is a professional football club based in the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain. The team was founded on 22 August 1949, and currently plays in the Spanish Segunda División B, the third tier of the Spanish football league system.
History of Las Palmas Football Club
Las Palmas Football Club was formed when Gran Canaria-based sides Club Victoria and Arenas Club merged. The newly formed club competed in the regional leagues of the Canary Islands before making its debut in the Tercera División in 1952. The team gained promotion to the Segunda División in 1954, and by 1956, they were promoted to the top tier of Spanish football, the Primera División.
The club has spent several seasons in the first division, with their best performances coming in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1968, Las Palmas finished as runners-up in the Copa del Rey, and the following year, they reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup. The team’s best league finish was fifth place in the 1977-78 season.
Notable Players
Over the years, Las Palmas has had several notable players don their jersey. Some of the legendary players include:
– Juan Carlos Valerón: the club’s all-time leading appearance holder with 413 appearances
– Germán Dévora: a midfielder who played over 350 games for the club
– Tony Cross: an English striker who became a fan favorite in the 1960s
Coaches
Las Palmas has had several coaches over the years, with the likes of Sergio Lobera, Quique Setién, and Miguel Ángel Ramírez managing the team in recent years. Setién, who managed the club during the 2015-16 season, received widespread praise for his attacking and possession-based style of play.
Most Successful Season
Las Palmas’ most successful season came in 1968-69 when they finished second in the Primera División, securing their best-ever league finish. It was also the season when they reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.
Owner
The current owner and president of Las Palmas is Miguel Ángel Ramírez, who has been in charge of the club since 2009. Ramírez has overseen the team’s resurgence in recent years, with Las Palmas narrowly missing out on promotion to La Liga in the 2016-17 season.
Stadium
Las Palmas plays its home matches at the Estadio Gran Canaria, a 31,250-seater stadium located in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. The stadium was inaugurated in 2003 and replaced the club’s former home, the Estadio Insular.
Conclusion
Las Palmas Football Club has a rich history and has been home to several notable players and coaches over the years. While the team has struggled in recent seasons, fans remain hopeful that they can return to the top flight of Spanish football soon.
Sources:
https://www.udlaspalmas.es/historia
https://www.transfermarkt.com/ud-las-palmas/startseite/verein/328
https://www.skysports.com/football/teams/las-palmas