Elche CF

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Spanish professional football club

title: "Elche CF" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["elche-cf", "football-clubs-in-the-valencian-community", "la-liga-clubs", "association-football-clubs-established-in-1923", "1923-establishments-in-spain", "segunda-división-clubs"] description: "Spanish professional football club" topic_path: "sports" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elche_CF" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Spanish professional football club ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox football club"]

FieldValue
clubnameElche
imageElche CF logo.svg
image_size170px
fullnameElche Club de Fútbol, S.A.D.
nicknameLos Franjiverdes / Els frangiverds (The Green-striped ones)
Los Ilicitanos / Els Ilicitans (The Ones from Elche)
foundedas Elche Foot-ball Club
groundEstadio Martínez Valero
capacity33,732
ownerChristian Bragarnik
chairmanJoaquín Buitrago Marhuenda
chrtitlePresident
managerEder Sarabia
mgrtitleHead coach
league
season
current2025–26 Elche CF season
position
website
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pattern_b2_elche2526a
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leftarm2AA0000
body2AA0000
rightarm2AA0000
shorts2AA0000
socks2AA0000
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pattern_b3_gtsc19h
pattern_ra3_gtsc19h
leftarm30000ff
body30000ff
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shorts3000060
socks3008000
::

| clubname = Elche | image = Elche CF logo.svg | image_size = 170px | fullname = Elche Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. | nickname = Los Franjiverdes / Els frangiverds (The Green-striped ones) Los Ilicitanos / Els Ilicitans (The Ones from Elche) | founded = as Elche Foot-ball Club | ground = Estadio Martínez Valero | capacity = 33,732 | owner = Christian Bragarnik | chairman = Joaquín Buitrago Marhuenda | chrtitle = President | manager = Eder Sarabia | mgrtitle = Head coach | league = | season = | current = 2025–26 Elche CF season | position = | website = | pattern_la1 = _elche2526h | pattern_b1 = _elche2526h | pattern_ra1 = _elche2526h | pattern_sh1 = | pattern_so1 = | leftarm1 = | body1 = | rightarm1 = | shorts1 = | socks1 = | pattern_la2 = _elche2526a | pattern_b2 = _elche2526a | pattern_ra2 = _elche2526a | pattern_sh2 = _monterrey1213t1 | pattern_so2 = _monterrey1213t1 | leftarm2 = AA0000 | body2 = AA0000 | rightarm2 = AA0000 | shorts2 = AA0000 | socks2 = AA0000 | pattern_la3 = _gtsc19h | pattern_b3 = _gtsc19h | pattern_ra3 = _gtsc19h | pattern_sh3 = | pattern_so3 = | leftarm3 = 0000ff | body3 = 0000ff | rightarm3 = 0000ff | shorts3 = 000060 | socks3 = 008000 Elche Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. () is a Spanish professional football club based in Elche, Province of Alicante, in the Valencian Community, Spain. Founded in 1923, the club will compete in La Liga for the 2025–26 season, holding home matches at the Estadio Martínez Valero, with a capacity of 33,732 seats.

Founded in 1923 as the result of a merger between all of the town's clubs, Elche entered the league system in 1929, reaching Segunda División in 1934 and La Liga in 1959, finishing fifth in the latter tournament in 1963–64. The club were runners-up in the Copa del Rey in 1969.

History

Foundation and early years

Elche Club de Fútbol was founded in the winter of 1923, after the merger of all of the town's football teams. The club's first-ever game was against Monóvar, where they beat the home team 4–0, and its first official match was a 2–0 win over Crevillente. In its first years Elche, like many teams of the time, played in an all white uniform. The team played its first league season in 1929–30, in the Tercera División, achieving promotion to the Segunda División in 1934. However, Elche suffered relegation for the first time six years later, but were promoted back the following season.

In the late 1950s, Elche achieved two consecutive promotions from the third level to La Liga, securing the club's first promotion to the latter competition with a 3–0 success against Tenerife in 1959.

1959–78: La Liga

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/85/Panórámica_del_Estadio_Martínez_Valero.jpg" caption="[[Estadio Martínez Valero"] ::

Elche opened its first season in the top level with a 1–1 draw against Real Oviedo, the first goal being scored by Vicente Pahuet. The club finished tenth out of 16 sides, nine points ahead of relegated Osasuna – the campaign included a 2–1 comeback home victory over Barcelona, but also a 2–11 loss at Real Madrid. The following season saw the team having to compete in the relegation/promotion play-off, where it overcame a 0–1 loss in the away leg against Atlético Ceuta with a 4–0 home victory.

Elche achieved their best-ever league finish in 1963–64, ranking in fifth position. The season also saw the club's reserve team, Elche Ilicitano, promote to Segunda División.

In 1969 the club reached their first and only Copa del Rey final, following victories over Pontevedra, Valencia and Real Sociedad. The semi-final against the latter was won 2–0 in a replay in neutral Madrid, as the tie had finished 4–4 on aggregate; the final, played on 15 June at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in the same city, brought a 0–1 loss to Athletic Bilbao.

After twelve seasons Elche were relegated to division two in 1971, having finished second from bottom. Two years later the team returned to the main category, as champions. Its second spell in the top flight lasted five seasons, often immerse in relegation fights as the best campaign (1974–75) ended with the club in eighth position; at the end of 1977–78 the side returned to the second division after finishing 17th out of 18 clubs, the last game being a 4–4 draw with Atlético Madrid, which was led 2–4 with five minutes remaining.

80s and 90s: severe financial crisis

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/97/Elche_Club_de_Fútbol_league_performance_1929-present.svg" caption="Chart of Elche CF league performance 1929–present"] ::

After the relegation Elche suffered in 1978, they never managed to gain promotion to the top flight – in fact, in the first five years since their return to the second level, they were fourth on three occasions and fifth on two (and on a further two, even on points with the third-placed team but with a worse goal difference), often losing the chance of promotion on the last matchday. Especially traumatic was the finish of the 1980–81 season: with one game remaining, they were second two points ahead of Rayo Vallecano and Racing de Santander, only needing a draw against Cádiz at the Martínez Valero; the game ended however in a loss, and Elche finished with 45 points alongside Castellón, Cádiz, Racing and Rayo.

A promotion finally occurred at the end of 1983–84, even though Elche only finished fifth in the regular season – the first two positions were occupied by Real Madrid Castilla and Athletic Bilbao B, who could not promote as reserve sides. The whole of the top division campaign was spent in the relegation zone, and relegation consequently befell as 17th. In 1988 they were promoted again for another cameo appearance, as the side went on to finish dead last with eighteen points, dropping down a category alongside Real Murcia, who they trailed by nine points; the last match for years in the category was a 1–3 away loss against Real Zaragoza, the goal coming courtesy of Alfonso Fernández.

After the relegation in 1989, Elche started to suffer heavily in the financial department, and relegated to Segunda División B – the new third level created in 1977 – at the end of 1990–91. During the better part of the 1990s the club reached the second division promotion playoffs, only to consecutively fall short.

In 1997 Elche finally managed to return to the second category, being immediately relegated back but gaining another promotion subsequently.

2010s: return to the top flight

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Elche_a_Primera_-panoramio(15).jpg" caption="Elche squad and fans celebrating the return to [[La Liga]] in 2013"] ::

In 2010–11, again in the "silver category", the team finished fourth and thus qualified for the play-offs: after disposing of Real Valladolid in the first round (3–2 on aggregate) the dream of top flight promotion ended at the hands of Granada, on the away goals rule.

On 18 May 2013, following Barcelona B and Alcorcón's 1–1 draw, Elche was automatically promoted to the top level, returning to the competition after 24 years. In the meantime the team coached by Fran Escribá had broken a number of Segunda División records, being the only team to date able to lead the competition from the first until the last match of the season, setting in the process a new record of both matches won and points scored to date as well as the best first round in the history of Segunda's championship.

During the 2013–14 season, the team managed to keep in the top competition, with an average attendance to home matches estimated at 25,104 people.

In the 2014–15 season, despite managing once again to keep in the top flight (the team was already safe from relegation four dates before the end of the competition) Elche became the first team ever in the history of the Spanish Primera División being relegated to Segunda following new regulations by the Spanish football league limiting excess debt and economic mismanagement.

In the 2016–17 season, Elche were relegated to the third level after 18 years in the professional league.

One year later, Elche promoted back to second level after defeating Villarreal B in the final play-off promotion to second level.

In the 2018–19 season, Elche finished right in the middle, on 11th place among 22 teams.

In the 2019–20 season, Elche were promoted to La Liga by beating Girona in the promotion play-off final 1–0 on aggregate. They were promoted back to La Liga after five years in the second and third divisions.

In the 2022–23 season, Elche were relegated to the second division after three years in La Liga.

In the 2024–25 season, Elche were promoted to La Liga.

Seasons

Season-by-season

|}

  • As Elche Club de Fútbol ::data[format=table] | Season | Tier | Division | Place | Copa del Rey | Second round | First round | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | Third round | Second round | First round | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | DNP | Round of 32 | Semi-finals | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | 1940–41 | 3 | 3ª | 1st | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1941–42 | 2 | 2ª | 6th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1942–43 | 2 | 2ª | 6th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1943–44 | 3 | 3ª | 1st | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1944–45 | 3 | 3ª | 1st | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1945–46 | 3 | 3ª | 2nd | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1946–47 | 3 | 3ª | 2nd | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1947–48 | 3 | 3ª | 1st | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1948–49 | 3 | 3ª | 2nd | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1949–50 | 2 | 2ª | 14th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1950–51 | 3 | 3ª | 6th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1951–52 | 3 | 3ª | 13th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1952–53 | 3 | 3ª | 16th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1953–54 | 3 | 3ª | 3rd | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1954–55 | 3 | 3ª | 1st | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1955–56 | 3 | 3ª | 3rd | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1956–57 | 3 | 3ª | 1st | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1957–58 | 3 | 3ª | 1st | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1958–59 | 2 | 2ª | 1st | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 1959–60 | 1 | 1ª | 10th | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ::

| style="vertical-align:top;"| ::data[format=table]

SeasonTierDivisionPlaceCopa del ReyRound of 32Round of 16Round of 16Round of 32Round of 32Quarter-finalsSemi-finalsQuarter-finalsRunner-upRound of 32Round of 16Fourth roundFourth roundRound of 32Fourth roundRound of 32Round of 16Third roundRound of 16Fifth round
1960–6111ª14th
1961–6211ª8th
1962–6311ª8th
1963–6411ª5th
1964–6511ª8th
1965–6611ª6th
1966–6711ª9th
1967–6811ª11th
1968–6911ª9th
1969–7011ª11th
1970–7111ª15th
1971–7222ª4th
1972–7322ª2nd
1973–7411ª14th
1974–7511ª8th
1975–7611ª15th
1976–7711ª11th
1977–7811ª17th
1978–7922ª5th
1979–8022ª4th
::

|} ::data[format=table]

SeasonTierDivisionPlaceCopa del ReyThird roundRound of 16Third roundSecond roundSecond roundSecond roundFirst roundRound of 32Round of 32Second roundRound of 16Second roundSecond roundFourth roundFirst roundFirst roundFirst roundSecond roundSecond roundPrelim. round
1980–8122ª4th
1981–8222ª4th
1982–8322ª7th
1983–8422ª5th
1984–8511ª17th
1985–8622ª4th
1986–8722ª4th
1987–8822ª2nd
1988–8911ª20th
1989–9022ª14th
1990–9122ª17th
1991–9232ª B4th
1992–9332ª B3rd
1993–9432ª B12th
1994–9532ª B6th
1995–9632ª B3rd
1996–9732ª B2nd
1997–9822ª19th
1998–9932ª B3rd
1999–200022ª15th
::

| style="vertical-align:top;"| ::data[format=table]

SeasonTierDivisionPlaceCopa del ReyRound of 64Round of 64Round of 64Round of 64Round of 16First roundThird roundRound of 32Round of 32Second roundThird roundThird roundSecond roundRound of 32Round of 16Second roundThird roundRound of 32Third roundRound of 32
2000–0122ª18th
2001–0222ª5th
2002–0322ª16th
2003–0422ª14th
2004–0522ª10th
2005–0622ª14th
2006–0722ª10th
2007–0822ª10th
2008–0922ª12th
2009–1022ª6th
2010–1122ª4th
2011–1222ª11th
2012–1322ª1st
2013–1411ª16th
2014–1511ª13th
2015–1622ª11th
2016–1722ª21st
2017–1832ª B3rd
2018–1922ª11th
2019–2022ª6th
::

|} ::data[format=table]

SeasonTierDivisionPlaceCopa del ReyRound of 32Round of 16Round of 32Round of 32Round of 16Round of 16
2020–2111ª17th
2021–2211ª13th
2022–2311ª20th
2023–2422ª11th
2024–2522ª2nd
2025–2611ª
::

|}

Current squad

Reserve team

Main article: Elche CF Ilicitano

Out on loan

Coaching staff

Honours

Segunda División

International players

Coaches

Reserve team

Elche's reserve team, Elche Ilicitano, was founded in 1932. It managed to spend two seasons in the second division, when the main squad was in the top flight.

Rivalries

Elche CF and Hércules CF have been fierce rivals for a long time. Their rivalry, known as the Derbi de la provincia de Alicante, began way back in the 1925/26 season when Elche CF joined the official regional league.  Since then, these teams have clashed over a hundred times. The rivalry between Elche CF and Real Murcia CF is a historical one. Their first official match was during the 1928–29 season. Their frequent meetings, known as the Derbi del Sureste (Southeast Derby), make this fixture the most played in the history of the Segunda División.

Another of the most notable rivalries is with Levante UD. These teams have a long history of intense regional competition across various divisions, including Primera, Segunda, and Segunda B, creating a fierce atmosphere both on the pitch and in the stands. Elche CF's rivalries with Hércules and Real Murcia stem from regional proximity, while their rivalry with Levante developed over numerous competitive clashes. The rivalry with Granada CF ignited during the tense 2010-11 Segunda División season, culminating in the Play-off final.

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

::data[format=table title=""]

PeriodKit manufacturerShirt sponsors
1997-1998KelmeNone
2001-2002PumaTerra Mítica
2004-2006Ciudad de la Luz
2010-2011RasanValencian Community
2011-2012Acerbis
2012-2014Gioseppo
2014-2015Kelme
2015-2017None
2017-2018TM Real Estate Group
2018-2019None
2019-2021HummelTM Real Estate Group
2021-Nike
::

References

References

  1. "Elche CF – History".
  2. "ESTADIO MARTÍNEZ VALERO {{!".
  3. "ESTADIO MARTÍNEZ VALERO {{!}} Elche".
  4. "La historia del Club {{!}} Elche - Web Oficial".
  5. "Spain, Final Tables 1959–1969".
  6. [https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/spanhist5969.html Spain 1963/64] {{Webarchive. link. (March 31, 2023 ; at RSSSF)
  7. [https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/spancup1969.html Spain – Cup 1969] {{Webarchive. link. (April 7, 2023 ; at RSSSF)
  8. [https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/spanhist6979.html Spain 1970/71] {{Webarchive. link. (February 10, 2023 ; at RSSSF)
  9. [https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/spanhist6979.html Spain 1977/78] {{Webarchive. link. (February 10, 2023 ; at RSSSF)
  10. [http://www.infoexpres.es/s5837n115537-El-Elche-esta-en-la-final-contra-el-Granada-3-1.html El Elche está en la final contra el Granada (3–1) (Elche is in the final against Granada (3–1))] {{webarchive. link. (August 16, 2011 ; Info Expres, June 12, 2011 {{in lang). es
  11. [http://www.rtve.es/deportes/20110618/granada-asciende-primera-costa-bravo-elche/441697.shtml El Granada asciende a Primera a costa del Elche (Granada promotes to ''Primera'' at Elche's expense)] {{Webarchive. link. (June 22, 2011 ; [[RTVE]], June 18, 2011 {{in lang). es
  12. (May 18, 2013). "¡El Elche ya es de Primera!". [[Marca (newspaper).
  13. "Ascenso del Elche en MARCA.com – Un líder de principio a fin".
  14. "La afición del Elche, la tercera que más crece del mundo".
  15. (June 5, 2015). "El Elche desciende a Segunda; el Eibar mantiene la categoría". El País.
  16. "Jornada 42 de Segunda División, Temporada 2018/2019 - liga smartbank, segunda division, campeonato nacional de liga de segunda división, segunda division española, laliga 2 española".
  17. (24 August 2020). "Elche win playoff to return to La Liga after long saga".
  18. Menzies, John. (2023-05-02). "Elche's relegation to LaLiga2 confirmed after falling to defeat against Almeria".
  19. "Elche promoted back to La Liga".
  20. "Plantilla - Jugadores". Elche CF.
  21. "HISTORIA {{!}} Hércules - Elche: 92 años de derbis".
  22. Redacción. "Historia de los Elche-Real Murcia".
  23. "Elche - Levante, vuelve una rivalidad histórica {{!}} Deporte Valenciano".
  24. RODRÍGUEZ, FRAN. (2018-08-15). "Elche-Granada, historia de una rivalidad que nació en 2011".
  25. Kantha, Sami. (2022-11-07). "99ok".
  26. Hernández, Monserrate. (2022-11-07). "El Elche despide a Almirón y Mantecón toma el mando".

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elche-cffootball-clubs-in-the-valencian-communityla-liga-clubsassociation-football-clubs-established-in-19231923-establishments-in-spainsegunda-división-clubs