Full name | Unión Deportiva Lanzarote |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Los Conejeros |
Founded | 1970 |
Ground |
Ciudad Deportiva, Arrecife, Canary Islands, Spain |
Capacity | 6,000 |
Chairman | José Domingo Machín |
Manager | Adolfo Pérez |
League | 3ª – Group 12 |
2012–13 | 3ª – Group 12, 14th |
Unión Deportiva Lanzarote is a Spanish football team based in Arrecife, Lanzarote, in the autonomous community of Canary Islands. Founded in 1970 it plays in Tercera División – Group 12, holding home games at the Ciudad Deportiva de Lanzarote (sports city), a 6,000-seat stadium which is shared with CD Orientación Marítima.
Unión Deportiva Lanzarote was formed in August 1970, in views to a representation outside of the island. In its beginnings the team played on picón (volcanic granules), eventually moving on to FIFA-approved artificial grass.
In its first competitive season, 1970–71, the team won the Segunda Regional Insular championship (second regional division), and for many years battled through local and Canarian leagues until making its debuts in Tercera División, in 1980; the first campaign ended with a fifth place, and it was also here the club had its first taste of the Copa del Rey – after a 0–0 home draw with neighbours UD Las Palmas, Lanzarote was ripped apart 0–5 in the second leg.
The 1998–99 season saw Lanzarote end the campaign in third position, with promotion to Segunda División B for the first time ever. It was a whistle-stop visit to the category, as the Island of Volcanoes club was relegated in the first year.
From the 2001–02 campaign onwards, the team consolidated its position in the third level. In a cup match against also-islanders CD Tenerife, local legend Maciot bagged a hat-trick in a 5–1 shock win, in front of a 5,000 home crowd. The reward for this feat was a dream clash with La Liga powerhouse Real Madrid, led by Vicente del Bosque and with the likes of Raúl González, Steve McManaman, Roberto Carlos, Luís Figo and Zinedine Zidane on board: after the favorite's early lead, part-time waiter Oscar Vladamir equalized and secured his place in local football history, but the club eventually lost it 1–3.