Alicante City FC was founded in 2017 as a development project for international players. The club grew by integrating local Spanish players with expatriate players and now combines a semi-professional first team in the Spanish seventh division with an international residential academy. Players join from Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, with a pathway built around training, education, accommodation, and progression.
LocationAlicante, Valencian Community, Spain
Stadium nameCampo Municipal ‘El Cabo’ & Lucentum Training Pitch
NicknameACFC
ChairmanElliot Livesey - Chairman and Owner Alicante City FC Academy
ABOUT ALICANTE CITY FC
The story behind Alicante City FC.
Alicante City FC was founded in 2017 as a development project for international players. The club grew by integrating local Spanish players with expatriate players and now combines a semi-professional first team in the Spanish seventh division with an international residential academy. Players join from Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, with a pathway built around training, education, accommodation, and progression.
Significant achievements
Developed an academy-to-first-team pathway recognised by federation rules
Built residential infrastructure including a villa, gym, and recovery facilities
Established international scouting links across Europe, Africa, and South America
Created a full scholarship model with two to three places available each year
Placed players into trials and contracts at higher-division Spanish clubs
Prominent former players / managers
David Balda - former Sporting Director at WKS Śląsk Wrocław, FK Senica, Raków Częstochowa, and Baník Ostrava; football director, agent, and analyst
Francisco ‘Pancho’ Guerrero - former Independiente, FC Zürich, and FC Basel player; Argentina U20 World Cup winner; former coach at Alicante CF, CD Campello, Coquimbo Unido, and O’Higgins
Phil Phillipou - former Crystal Palace FC player; Master’s in Talent Identification and Player Development from Real Madrid; Director of Methodology and U19 Head Coach at ACFC
Alicante City FC 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 Alicante City FC system
Club affiliations
<p>–<strong>CF Playas</strong> – official affiliate club, providing U18/U19 competition minutes for players born 2007 or younger (due to federation rules).</p>
<p>–<strong>FFCV</strong> (Federación de Fútbol de la Comunitat Valenciana) – official regional federation membership.</p>
<p>–<strong>Partnerships</strong> with local schools, community organisations, and scouting networks across Europe & Africa.</p>
<p>Founded in 2017, Alicante City FC 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.</p>
<p>By 2024–25, Alicante City FC had developed into a dual model club:</p>
<p>Semi-pro first team competing in the Spanish 7th division.</p>
<p>International academy with residential infrastructure, educational programs, and exposure to trials at higher-level Spanish clubs.</p>
<p><a href="https://acfcacademy.com/">Alicante City FC</a> has since welcomed players from Europe, Africa, South America, and Asia, becoming a multicultural football hub in Alicante.</p>
Prominent former playersmanagers
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)
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
