Oasis Fm – Tenerife's official British radio station

CD Tenerife 1-4 UD Salamanca - 10.06.2005
Wanted – enthusiastic young footballers to form Segunda A side playing in blue and white for 2005-6 campaign. Experience preferred, but must be prepared to work for peanuts. Although that advert – or something like it – hasn’t been spotted anywhere, the sentiments could well sum up Tenerife’s end of season dilemma. Few of the current first team squad, including some still under contract, are expected to be around for the next campaign kick-off. For a club with a debt mountain of just over 42 million euros, a proposal by the director in charge of finances to set a wage ceiling seemed sensible. But what talents will Tenerife attract with a top salary reported to be 150-180,000 euros? Leading scorer Keko was understood to have been offered the maximum in a bid to retain his services, although the figure was reckoned to be well below the expectations of the striker, 33 this month. In fact, he turned down what was believed to be the club’s final offer, feeling insulted. Despite signalling his desire to stay on the island, the player had to look to his future which meant taking stock of the outside interest with Recreativo’s name among the latest linked. Brazilian defender Belli, in contract, had stated more than once that he wanted away or, at least, Primera football. No great loss, some might say, but Óscar, the defensive rock of trainer Barrios’ mostly successful half-season, had not been encouraged to stay. While that could be Nástic’s gain, who pushed the button? When a head count was taken, only four of 23 players were certs to continue – canteranos Cristo, Kirian and Julio plus Slovakian keeper Kelemen. Baines (goalkeeping coach?), Belli and Jesús might stick around, Moya and Raúl seemed undecided, La Paglia and Corona were considered transferable, Kiko had gone and Vitolo was bound for Racing. The rest either wanted off or would definitely go. For Jesús, a solid regular team performer, that was worrying. Hardly the foundation for a project to excite supporters and fulfil promotion hopes. Extensive rebuilding seemed to be required. Would Toño still be around as Barrios’ No 2? He wasn’t saying, but Robi and Quique Medina were mentioned as possible recruits to the coaching staff. On the park, forward Carmelo, one of the departures in a UD Las Palmas clear-out, popped up as a potential blanquiazul, though surely not at 360,000 euros a season! But there was an immediate pressing matter in hand, namely the visit of old chums Salamanca, on the losing side of the 5-4 New Year thriller when Antonio bagged a hat-trick. Desperate for points to avoid relegation, the visitors threatened to be in attacking mode and didn’t disappoint.