UD Almería dedicate promotion and league title to ‘Virgen del Mar’
A representation of the Club members visit the Patroness Saint of Almeria to make a floral offering t
UD Almería have dedicated promotion to the Spanish first division and the LaLiga SmartBank title clinched last Sunday in Leganes city to the Virgen del Mar (Virgin of the Sea). A representation of the Club members visited the Patroness Saint of Almeria city to make a floral offering and thank Her profusely for her support throughout the 2021/22 season.
Father Francisco Panero played host to UD Almería and thanked sincerely the Club for the nice gesture of visiting the Virgen del Mar, recalling that in August 2021, at the start of the 2021/22 season, they had already expressed their desire for promotion to the Spanish top tier, a goal attained this past week. The priest, a great football fan and supporter of the Rojiblancos, pointed out that when things got worse at the Butarque Stadium, the Patroness of the city thought of UD Almería and then AD Alcorcón scored. Father Francisco Panero detailed that the key to success lies in togetherness, ‘as I’ve heard Rubi comment on more than one occasion,’ and stressed ‘all of us united can face new challenges in the future under the Virgin of the Sea guidance.’
UD Almería Managing Director Mohamed El Assy; UD Almeria first-team head coach Joan Francesc Ferrer Sicilia ‘Rubi’; UD Almeria first-team player Javi Robles; Sports advisor to the President Joao Gonçalvez and general secretary of the board of directors Mariano Blanco, among others, met at the Church. There were also former Club directors such as Manolo García, Luis Guillén, Onofre Díaz... as well as founder of the club Guillermo Blanes and a representation of the UDA Almeria Supporters Federation with its president Mónica Ruiz present.
Rubi recalled that in August 2021, on the previous visit, Father Francisco Panero told him that if he came to the Church during the season, the Patroness would help them. The head coach indicated that he complied with it.
Almeria-born Javi Robles was enormously proud of the promotion to the top tier and being in front of the Virgen del Mar, while Mohamed El Assy wrote a heartfelt message in the visitors’ book.
The UD Almeria representatives as well as the UDA Supporters Federation president went up with the silverware to the chapel and with two bouquets of flowers, accompanied by the members of the board of directors of the Virgen del Mar Brotherhood.