• Alicante City FC

    Founded 2017
  • Nickname:
    ACFC
  • Chairman:
    Elliot Livesey - Chairman and Owner ACFC Academy
  • Location:
    Alicante, Valencian Community, Spain
  • Manager:
    David Balda - Co-Owner & Sporting Director
  • Stadium Name:
    Campo Municipal “El Cabo” & Lucentum Training Pitch
  • Assistant Manager(s):
    • Chris Hays - Head of Operations ACFC Academy
  • Club Colours:
    1st– Black & Gold · 2nd – Orange
  • Coaching Staff:
    • Pancho Guerrero (Argentina) – tactical & technical methodology
    • Erik Avila (Spain) – training organisation & physical prep
  • Club Affiliations:

    –CF Playas – official affiliate club, providing U18/U19 competition minutes for players born 2007 or younger (due to federation rules).

    –FFCV (Federación de Fútbol de la Comunitat Valenciana) – official regional federation membership.

    –Partnerships with local schools, community organisations, and scouting networks across Europe & Africa.

  • Club Membership Information:

    Full Service – Paid Plan
    -Visa & residency assistance
    -Accommodation (villa or apartments)
    -3× meals daily
    -Professional training with licensed coaches
    -Official league & friendly matches
    -Individual development plans (technical, tactical, physical)
    -Spanish lessons
    -Coaching licence course (optional)
    -Mental coaching & career guidance
    -Gym & recovery access
    -Capacity: ~16 players per season (high demand, limited spots)

    Football Only – Paid Plan
    -Professional training with licensed coaches
    -League & friendly matches
    -Gym & recovery access
    -Individual technical/tactical development

    Full Scholarship
    -Reserved for exceptional talents (2–3 spots per year).
    -Covers all benefits of the full-service plan.
    -Active promotion to higher-level clubs & trial opportunities.
    -Focus on players with pro-level mentality, work ethic & resale potential.

    First Team Eligibility
    -Players must be born between 2002–2006 and be at least 18 years old to play official first-team matches in the Spanish 7th division.
    -Players born 2007 or younger cannot play first-team official matches due to strict Spanish Federation rules. Instead, they represent our affiliate club CF Playas while training fully within the ACFC system.

  • History:

    Founded in 2017, ACFC began as a development project for international players. The club rapidly grew by integrating local Spanish players with expats to maintain high-level training and league performance.

    By 2024–25, ACFC had developed into a dual model club:

    Semi-pro first team competing in the Spanish 7th division.

    International academy with residential infrastructure, educational programs, and exposure to trials at higher-level Spanish clubs.

    ACFC has since welcomed players from Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, becoming a multicultural football hub in Alicante.

  • Significant Achievements:
    • Developed an academy-to-first team pathway recognised by Spanish federation rules
    • Built residential infrastructure (villa, gym, recovery) from scratch
    • Established international scouting links across Europe, Africa, and South America
    • Created scholarship model (2–3 per year) for elite, high-resale talents
    • Consistently placed players into trials and contracts at higher-division Spanish clubs
  • Prominent Former Players/managers:
    • David Balda (ex-Sporting Director at WKS Śląsk Wrocław, FK Senica, Raków Częstochowa, Baník Ostrava; experienced football director & agent & analyst)
    • Francisco “Pancho” Guerrero (ex-player at Independiente, FC Zürich, FC Basel; Argentina U20 World Cup winner; ex-coach at Alicante CF, CD Campello, Coquimbo Unido, O’Higgins)
    • Phil Phillipou (ex-coach at Crystal Palace FC; Master’s in Talent ID & Player Development, Real Madrid; Director of Methodology & U19 Head Coach at ACFC)
  • Domestic Competitions:
    • Spanish 7th Division (Primera Regional Valenciana)
  • Youth Teams:
    • ACFC U23 – Development squad providing a pathway from academy to first team
    • CF Playas (Affiliated Club) – Official partner where younger players (born 2007 or later) compete in Spanish Federation matches while still training within the ACFC system
  • Club Contacts:
    • David Balda | +34622 262469 | Info@acfcacademy.com
  • Social links:
    Follow me on FacebookFollow me on LinkedInFollow me on instagramvisit Alicante City FC website

    • Club sponsor(s)

    Club Gallery

    Club video clips