Real Mallorca, back in pre-season training.

Real Mallorca, back in pre-season training.

Monro BrycePalma15/07/2017 00:00
TW
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Real Mallorca have started their pre-season preparations with eleven new signings. The first evening, however, didn't go according to plan. With an almost-new squad, coach Vicente Moreno put the players through a fitness regime for the upcoming long campaign in Segunda B (nine pitches out of the 20 clubs participating in our Group III have synthetic surfaces). Around 19.30 last Tuesday night, 20 teenage reprobates took it on themselves to arrive at the Son Bibiloni to cause trouble. They came armed with smoke bombs and flares and wasted no time in setting them off. Their intentions were to intimidate Antonio Raillo as he basically is the only defender left from last season. It's not the first time Antonio's run the gauntlet of abuse, as at the last home game against Getafe he sat in the stand and was given pelters. Our relegation wasn't solely Raillo's fault as all the other players were equally to blame. Worse was to follow as the police got interested and have threatened to close the Ultras match day fenced-off area if indeed there is any more trouble.

We had all these relegation demonstrations six weeks ago so now it's time to turn the page and move on. The situation now means that Raillo could be forced out of the club because of this stupid bad feeling. Under-fire director of football Javi Recio said on Friday night that all four players who have contracts and played last season - Raillo, Sabater, Pol Roige and Lago Junior - are an integral part of the new setup and because of that won't be sold. The transfer window shuts at the end of August and I'd be surprised if one or two didn't exit Mallorca before that, if a significant offer arrives.

Season ticket sales as of 20.00 on Friday night are just over 1,000 after four days. Don't forget those of you who are being forced to move from Sol Alta and Baja can change seats from 25 July. The day before, the offices will be closed for a day for “Liberar Asientos” changing seating areas etc. Many indignant fans from Sol Alta and Baja don't want to move from their favoured seats but there's no option. Office times for renewal are Monday to Friday 09.30-14.00 and 16.00-19.30.

Most of our games next season will be played at 12 midday on a Sunday for economic and logistical reasons. The season is scheduled to start around the third weekend in August and we'll have a chance to see all the new players and coaching staff when Mallorca play Sevilla B (La Segunda) in the annual team presentation, City of Palma Cup, on Saturday 12 August, kick off time not available. As to league teams, there are at least five sides who look dangerous: Elche, Villareal B, Alcoyano, Valencia Mestalla and Hercules Alicante. There's no doubt that our Group III is the most difficult of the four. We'll have three Balearic derbies against At. Baleares, Dep. Pena (Ibiza) and SD Formentera. Are they the only team in Europe that, whoever they play at home, can only get there by ferry?