Valle de Abdalajís UD has achieved promotion to Segunda Andaluza after finishing fourth in the league and receiving confirmation from the RFAF at the end of June. The team, coached by Richard Pérez, concludes the 26/27 campaign with 46 points, their best historical record.
The promotion came as a surprise, but it was not undeserved. The Valle de Abdalajís UD received official confirmation from the Real Federación Andaluza de Fútbol (RFAF) at the end of June that they will occupy a place in Segunda Andaluza next season. The team, which finished the league in fourth place, benefited from the expansion of places in the category.
A record season
The team from Valle has had the best campaign in its history since its foundation in 2010. With 46 points in 24 matches, the team led by Richard Pérez has demonstrated a solidity that did not go unnoticed. The final fourth place, although it did not initially grant direct promotion, became a ticket thanks to the restructuring of the category.
The RFAF had announced at the beginning of the season the creation of a second group in Segunda Andaluza starting in 2026. This guaranteed three direct promotions but left open the possibility of more places. Ultimately, the fourth-placed teams also received the reward, a decision confirmed in June that unleashed joy in the municipality.
Celebration in Valle de Abdalajís
The promotion was celebrated in style last weekend. The club organized a popular festival where fans could celebrate a historic milestone. This is not the club's first promotion to Segunda Andaluza, but it is the first achieved on the pitch. In 2019, the team had already been promoted, but for administrative reasons: the category needed to complete groups, and Valle met the economic requirements.
For many fans, this promotion feels like redemption. The one in 2019 was bittersweet, as it was not achieved through play. Now, the sporting effort has been rewarded. The atmosphere in the town, with around 2,500 inhabitants, was euphoric. Locals filled the streets to applaud the players and coaching staff.
A project with local roots
The success of this season has a special flavour because it has been built on the foundation of players who had previously worn the Valle shirt years ago. After a year without a senior team (2024/25 season), the club revived with a group of footballers who knew the club well. Coach Richard Pérez, originally from Antequera, also returned after a brief stint at Sierra de Yeguas. This is his fourth season at the helm of Valle.
The coach has highlighted in statements to Andalucía Centro Deportes the importance of the group's unity. “We have formed a family, and that has been noticeable on the pitch,” he stated. Pérez has been a key figure in the reconstruction of the project, betting on continuity and knowledge of the environment.
For the next season, the challenge will be to maintain the category. Segunda Andaluza is a higher step that will require more resources and organisation. However, the club has already shown that it knows how to grow. The fans, who responded en masse during the season, will be a fundamental pillar.
The promotion of Valle de Abdalajís UD is news that transcends sports. In a region where modest football is a hallmark of identity, this achievement puts the municipality on the football map of the province. Locals are already dreaming of the upcoming regional derbies and continuing to make history.
