It was in the 19th Century when the first wave of English industrialists, aristocrats and entrepreneurs introduced the game of football to Europe and South America. Since then the game has exploded all over the world and is recognised in every continent. It seems that a 2nd wave of English migrants have decided to involve themselves in the game and develop upon the football their ancestors brought. This has happened in Spain, a bunch of ex-pats have taken a fourth division Spanish club called CD Javea in the Alicante province under their wing. It was back in 2005 that a supporters group called ‘The Pena Javeamigos’ was formed, this was set up by ex-pats for ex-pats. The clubs president is Mark Catlin and the manager is Kenny Brown they are both English and both thoroughly committed to CD Javea, the club has made steady progress over the past season, with the club being stabilised financially by Mark and Kenny, also there is a long term goal set for the club. When asked what the future holds for the club Mark said ‘When myself and Kenny joined the club it was at rock bottom, on the verge of relegation and close to bankruptcy. Long term we definitely believe we should be in the 3rd division (one above they are now), and if the right club were to invest in us as a feeder club or other then I firmly believe the club can go to even greater heights’ . With a capacity only of 4,000 it is a long term goal, but you need to have dreams if you are to succeed, they are very optimistic that with the catchment area being large for ex-pats, there are around 12,000 Brits within the province and still growing, the club can make progress. At the moment around 400 ex-pats go to the games, 250 of them being hardcore fans that travel to home and away games. Obviously the club is not just supported by Brits, there is a Spanish contingent too, every player at the club is Spanish. But the ex-pats have a real passion for the club with newsletters by the club and supporters club being written in English and distributed, but the Spanish seem more laid back in their approach to supporting the club. Mark says ‘We have tried hard for the Spanish to set up their own newsletter in Spanish, but to be honest they are not as enthusiastic as the Brits are! The ex-pats really want to help and get involved where the Spanish are happy just to turn up and support the team at the game’.
CD Javea have made forward moves into trying to promote themselves and take the club to new levels. Links have been made with West Ham with a yearly fixture between the youth teams being held, and the club being shown ways into developing their youth academy. This has been all possible due to the strong links manager Kenny Brown has with West Ham, he was a player for them in 1980’s. CD Javea youth scheme is just starting, with the club being a municipal club they accept every child that wants to join the club, at this moment the club have 300 children in there youth scheme. The club take their youth policy with great importance, Mark Catlin states ‘If we could get the right funding, I would love to establish a ‘real’ academy here with living accommodation and full-time coaches to develop the children here in Spain’. Mark and Kenny seem highly enthusiastic and determined to do well for the club. I asked what Mark’s own ambitions were, he said ‘My involvement with CD Javea has awakened me to the fact that I just love being involved with a football club, my work is all voluntary and is very hard at times trying to balance my business’s and the club. Unfortunately I would love to put all my energy into the club and get them into the Primera Liga but I’m afraid that fairytales do not happen without money’, he goes on to talk about Kenny Brown and the close knit working relationship ‘ I have been so impressed with the work Kenny has done and I honestly believe that to make any club a success it is vital that both the manager and President (Chairman) respect and have confidence in the work they are both doing.’. It has been a successful partnership and will only help the club if both of these men stay together, Mark seems a very passionate man with a burning ambition for the club. It may well be that CD Javea get the investment they so obviously need to take them to the next level, let us all hope that this wave of football enthusiasm from the Brits will give a new platform for this club.
