Unión Club Ceares is a Spanish football team based in the neighbourhood of Ceares, Gijón, in the autonomous community of Asturias. Founded in 1946, it plays in Tercera Federación – Group 2, holding home games at Campo de La Cruz, which has a capacity of 1,500 spectators.

Ceares
Full nameUnión Club Ceares
Nickname(s)Ciares
Teyeros (Tilers)
Brickers
Short nameUCC
Founded1946; 78 years ago (1946)
GroundLa Cruz, Gijón,
Asturias, Spain
Capacity1,500
ChairmanAlberto Álvarez
ManagerPablo Busto
LeagueTercera Federación – Group 2
2023–24Tercera Federación – Group 2, 4th of 18
Websitehttp://ucceares.com

History

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Early years

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The club was founded in 1946 as a merger of two clubs: Fortuna and Reconquista. In 1965 and being Mr. José Ramón Elvira Sastre the president, UC Ceares promotes for the first time to Tercera División, but finished in the last position, being subsequently relegated. Ceares continued playing in regional divisions until 1986, year that the team returned to Tercera División and played in it two years.

2000s: Comeback to Tercera División

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In the seasons 2001–02 and 2002–03, Ceares achieved two consecutive promotions from Primera Regional to Tercera División with Rogelio García as head coach. He would coach UC Ceares during six consecutive seasons, with a break in 2007, remaining in Tercera starting the longest streak of the club in this division.

In 2007, former Real Sporting footballer José Antonio Redondo replaced him until 2009, when he resigned. With Redondo at the helm, on 5 April 2008, Ceares earned a 1–1 away draw in the last minute against Asturian powerhouse Oviedo[1] and qualified for the semi-finals of the Asturian tournament of the RFEF Cup, where they were eliminated by Langreo.

Rogelio would take the team again until the end of the 2008–09 season.[2] After that season, Florentino Angulo was hired as new manager. Angulo managed Ceares until 2012.

2010s: "People's football" project and promotion playoffs

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Before the 2011–12 season, a new board takes the control of the club and gives it a new philosophy based on a claim of social and people's sport and criticism the actual business in football.[3] For this philosophy, Ceares board inspired on English football and clubs like St. Pauli or United of Manchester.

 
La Cruz stadium, full, at the playoffs game versus Águilas

The 2013–14 season was the 14th of the club in this league (the 11th consecutive one) and the second of Nacho Cabo as manager. Ceares started the season with only one defeat in the first fifteen games, earning 34 points, which allowed the club to lead the table during two weeks, after a win at L'Entregu CF by 1–3 in its 500th game in Tercera.[4]

Finally, Ceares qualified for the promotion playoffs to Segunda División B in the last week, after winning by 0–3 to Luarca CF. The team finished in the third position with 74 points, 21 wins, 54 goals scored and only 31 allowed. All these numbers were records in the history of the club.

In the first round, Ceares dropped Águilas by 2–1 in the aggregate. In the first leg, the brickers earned a draw by 1–1 thanks to a goal of Pablo Martínez in the 87th minute. Martínez also scored the only goal in the second game. This was the second time La Cruz registered an attendance of 1,500 fans. The first one was in 2003, when Oviedo visited the field for the first time.

Ceares faced Trival Valderas, the champion of the group of Madrid, in the second round, but was widely defeated in the first leg, played in Gijón, by 0–3. The team earned a 2–2 draw at Alcorcón, in a game where Borja Noval missed a penalty when the game was 2–1 for the brickers.

18 May 2014 Águilas 1–1 Ceares Águilas
17:00 (CEST) Ginés Meca   65' Report Pablo Martínez   87' Stadium: El Rubial
Attendance: 1,300
Referee: Pérez León
25 May 2014 Ceares 1–0
(2–1 agg.)
ÁguilasGijón
17:00 (CEST) Pablo Martínez   35' Report Stadium: La Cruz
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Martín Pérez
1 June 2014 Ceares 0–3 Trival Valderas Gijón
17:00 (CEST) Report
  • Óscar   16', 51'
  • Herrero   32'
Stadium: La Cruz
Attendance: 1,500
Referee: Díaz Álvarez
8 June 2014 Trival Valderas 2–2
(5–2 agg.)
CearesAlcorcón
11:30 (CEST)
  • Palacios   45'
  • Óscar   94'
Report
  • Ponte   63'
  • Juan Carlos   67'
Stadium: La Canaleja
Attendance: 750
Referee: Creus Rodríguez

On 30 August 2014, Bryan Jiménez became the first Ceares player who played an international game. He made his debut with the Dominican Republic national team in a lost friendly against El Salvador.[5]

In 2015, Ceares signed a collaboration agreement with women's football club Gijón FF for sharing La Cruz stadium and to create a youth academy for boys and girls.[6]

2020–present: Tercera División title and first promotion

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In the 2020–21 season, the one with a two-staged format, Ceares ended the first leg of the regular season as champion of one of the two subgroups. On 2 May 2021, Ceares had the option to directly promote to the newly created Segunda División RFEF, currently called Segunda Federación, that would replace the Segunda División B, by defeating San Martín at home. However, they had to wait one more week as they were widely beaten by 1–4. Seven days later, Ceares clinched the Tercera División title and promotion after beating 0–2 in a do-or-die match at L'Entregu.

9 May 2021 L'Entregu0–2 Ceares El Entrego
Report Aitor Cañedo   14'
Juan Carlos   67'
Stadium: Nuevo Nalón
Attendance: Limited to 300
Referee: Juan González Suárez

The first win in the new league arrived at round 3, after defeating Arenteiro by 2–0. However, a long streak of losses quickly demoted the team to the last position. On 30 November 2021, Ceares made its debut in the Copa del Rey, by facing local powerhouse Sporting de Gijón. The match was played at El Molinón, as La Cruz did not meet the requirements of the RFEF for hosting matches of this competition, and finished with a 0–1 defeat.

30 November 2021 Ceares0–1 Sporting Gijón Gijón
20:00 Report César   38' Stadium: El Molinón
Attendance: 7,000
Referee: Javier Iglesias Villanueva

However, Ceares finally could not avoid relegation and finished in the last position in their first experience in a league with teams out from Asturias.

On 1 May 2024, Ceares qualified again for the promotion playoffs to Segunda Federación with two rounds left.

Stadium

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La Cruz
 
Main entrance to La Cruz
 
Full nameCampo de La Cruz
LocationGijón, Spain
Coordinates43°31′46″N 5°39′19″W / 43.52940°N 5.65536°W / 43.52940; -5.65536
OwnerUC Ceares
Capacity1,500
Field size99 × 65 m
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Built1970s
Opened8 January 1978; 46 years ago (8 January 1978)
Renovated2004, 2020
Tenants
UC Ceares
Gijón FF (2005–2006; 2018–present)

During the 1960s, UC Ceares played its matches in the old pitch of Los Fresno, in El Llano neighbourhood of Gijón. This location is today occupied by a shopping mall.[7] During some years, due to not having an own stadium, played its matches in several fields until the current Campo de La Cruz was built in the 1970s.

The pitch is made of natural grass and has dimensions of 99 by 65 meters. The stadium has got a lateral tribune, improved in 2004, with 250 seats. It's located in Parque de Los Pericones in Gijón.

The stadium was used also by Gijón FF, for playing the 2005–06 Superliga Femenina, the only season the club played in the top women's league in Spain. It came back to La Cruz in 2018.

In April 2017, Ceares agreed with the Gijón Town Hall the renovation of the facilities and the construction of a second pitch made of artificial turf for Gijón FF and the youth teams of the club.[8][9] However, due to some controversies in the city, the Town Hall preferred to build the second pitch in other area of the neighbourhood.

One year later, Ceares authorised Gijón FF to play its games in the women's second division at La Cruz.

In July 2019, the Town Hall of Gijón refused to continue with the project of the new pitch mainly for the women's team and only offered Ceares to renovate La Cruz by building a new tribune and changing the pitch of natural grass for one made of artificial turf. This proposal was widely rejected by the club members.[10]

In 2020, the building of the lockers and club office and the kop, both located behind the goal, were reformed.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

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Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsors
2003–2004 No provider Nistal
2004–2008 Farho
2008–2010 SEAT Asturias Motor
2010–2011 Luanvi Cubiastur
Gijón
2011–2012 Huerco Xixón
2012–2013 Fachadas El Llano
Xixón
2013–2016 Mazcatu
2016–2017 Gorbeat Tierras Gallegas
Xixón
2017–2018 Givova
2018–2021 Adidas
2021–2024 Scone
Xixón
2024– Umbro Casa Ramón
Xixón

Season to season

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Season Tier Division Pos Pld W D L GF GA Pts Copa del Rey Copa Federación Top league scorer(s)  
1948–49 5 2ª Reg. 2nd 24 14 6 4 72 27 34
PG 1st 6 5 0 1 18 7 10
1949–50 4 1ª Reg. 3rd 20 13 2 5 28
1950–51 4 1ª Reg. 7th 26 10 6 10 46 41 26
1951–52 4 1ª Reg. 11th 26 6 5 15 37 66 17
1952–53 Did not participate as result of a protest[11]
1953–54 4 1ª Reg. 12th 22 1 3 18 29 79 5
1954–55 5 2ª Reg. 12th 22 4 1 17 24 62 9
1955–56 5 2ª Reg. 11th 20 5 4 11 33 44 14
1956–57 5 2ª Reg. 1st 12 8 1 3 37 16 17
PG 8th 14 0 4 10 15 47 4
1957–58 5 2ª Reg. 6th 16 7 2 7 29 31 16
1958–59 Did not enter any competition
1959–60 5 2ª Reg. 24 11 3 10 44 46 25
1960–61 5 2ª Reg. 26 13 3 10 52 42 29
1961–62 4 1ª Reg. 14th 26 5 6 15 33 56 16
1962–63 4 1ª Reg. 9th 28 9 6 13 34 54 24
1963–64 4 1ª Reg. 14th 30 7 9 14 34 47 23
1964–65 4 1ª Reg. 2nd 30 18 7 5 64 31 43
1965–66 3 16th 30 3 6 21 36 81 12
1966–67 4 1ª Reg. 9th 30 12 3 15 43 52 27
1967–68 4 1ª Reg. 12th 30 11 5 14 42 54 27
1968–69 4 1ª Reg. 13th 36 12 6 18 53 66 30
1969–70 4 1ª Reg. 17th 38 12 5 21 48 83 29
1970–71 5 2ª Reg. 7th 26 10 6 10 75 62 26
1971–72 5 2ª Reg. 2nd 22 18 0 4 83 19 36
PG 2nd 8 4 2 2 16 8 12
1972–73 5 2ª Pref. 3rd 26 17 4 5 38
1973–74 5 2ª Pref. 16th 38 13 6 19 53 69 32
1974–75 6 2ª Reg. 1st 20 17 1 2 35
PG 3rd 8 5 0 3 16 9 10
1975–76 6 2ª Reg. 1st 16 12 3 1 47 13 27
PG 1st 10 5 2 3 14 8 12
1976–77 5 2ª Pref. 18th 38 7 5 26 45 90 19
1977–78 6 2ª Pref. 5th 38 19 7 12 63 64 45
1978–79 6 1ª Reg. 2nd 38 23 10 5 64 27 56
1979–80 5 Reg. Pref. 18th 38 7 14 17 32 60 28
1980–81 5 Reg. Pref. 17th 38 13 5 20 59 49 31
1981–82 5 Reg. Pref. 15th 38 15 6 17 48 62 36
1982–83 5 Reg. Pref. 13th 38 13 11 14 58 46 37
1983–84 5 Reg. Pref. 15th 38 11 11 16 57 70 33
1984–85 5 Reg. Pref. 8th 38 17 8 13 71 50 42 Edu 14
1985–86 5 Reg. Pref. 2nd 38 19 11 8 60 38 49 Edu 17
1986–87 4 19th 38 5 18 15 27 54 28 Edu 7
RP W 2 1 0 1 3 2
1987–88 4 20th 38 2 9 27 30 95 13 Paulino 13
1988–89 5 Reg. Pref. 17th 38 9 10 19 36 70 28 Fredi 12
1989–90 5 Reg. Pref. 15th 38 14 9 15 38 64 37 Elías 7
1990–91 5 Reg. Pref. 6th 38 16 9 13 50 35 41 Fredi 12
1991–92 5 Reg. Pref. 6th 38 16 8 14 43 34 40 Roberto Colunga 10
1992–93 5 Reg. Pref. 14th 38 11 10 17 44 64 32 Roberto Colunga 11
1993–94 5 Reg. Pref. 8th 38 14 11 13 45 45 39 Roberto Colunga 12
1994–95 5 Reg. Pref. 4th 38 21 6 11 58 33 48 Carlos
Felipe Vega-Arango
9
1995–96 5 Reg. Pref. 13th 38 13 7 18 39 53 46 Rafa 7
1996–97 5 Reg. Pref. 13th 38 12 10 16 43 50 46 Alfredo Ceñal 7
1997–98 5 Reg. Pref. 8th 38 14 12 12 38 36 54 Línter 8
1998–99 5 Reg. Pref. 11th 38 11 14 13 37 41 47 Línter 9
1999–2000 5 Reg. Pref. 12th 38 12 11 15 39 45 47 Mingotes 12
2000–01 5 Reg. Pref. 18th 38 10 5 23 47 71 35 Carlos 11
2001–02 6 1ª Reg. 1st 38 25 9 4 72 24 84 Aitor 24
2002–03 5 Reg. Pref. 1st 38 26 9 3 80 16 87 Iván Dueñas 14
2003–04 4 10th 38 13 13 12 41 45 52 Sergio Melón 10
2004–05 4 11th 38 15 7 16 49 55 52 Group stage Chris
Rodri
8
2005–06 4 16th 38 10 10 18 35 49 40 Group stage David Bouzo
José María Luengo
6
2006–07 4 9th 38 12 12 14 48 58 48 José María Luengo 12
2007–08 4 12th 38 14 8 16 53 55 50 Group stage Javi Castaño 10
2008–09 4 15th 38 10 12 16 45 57 42 Semi-finals Bogdan Stoica 10
2009–10 4 13th 38 12 8 18 39 59 44 Jimmy 8
2010–11 4 15th 38 10 9 19 39 56 39 Pelayo Torre 11
2011–12 4 16th 38 12 4 22 40 62 40 Jimmy 13
2012–13 4 12th 38 13 9 16 43 48 48 Jorge Vázquez 17
2013–14 4 3rd 38 21 11 6 54 31 74 Borja Noval 11
PO R2 4 1 2 1 4 6
2014–15 4 6th 38 16 15 7 51 41 63 Group stage Álvaro Ponte 11
2015–16 4 10th 38 13 6 19 42 60 45 Group stage Marcos Iglesias 20
2016–17 4 9th 38 14 7 17 47 63 49 Group stage Marcos Iglesias 12
2017–18 4 6th 38 15 15 8 46 30 60 Group stage Juan Menéndez 12
2018–19 4 13th 38 10 14 14 35 51 44 Group stage Juan Menéndez
Wilmer
7
2019–20 4 15th 28 6 9 13 28 37 27 Group stage Zucu 9
2020–21 4 1st 26 16 6 4 38 25 54 Carlos Madeira 12
2021–22 4 2ª RFEF 18th 34 5 3 26 23 78 18 First round Óscar Fernández 9
2022–23 5 3ª Fed. 12th 30 9 7 14 35 44 34 Group stage Ferrari
David Ferreiro
7
2023–24 5 3ª Fed. 4th 34 19 8 7 52 30 65 Group stage Carlos Madeira 11
PO R1 2 0 0 2 1 4
2024–25 5 3ª Fed. Semi-finals

Source[12]


Awards and trophies

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Statistics and records

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In Segunda División RFEF

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Seasons Pld W D L GF GA
1 34 5 3 26 23 78

Updated as of the end of the 2021–22 season.

  • Best position: 18th (2021–22).
  • Record home win: 2–0 vs Arenteiro.
  • Consecutive games undefeated: 2.
  • Consecutive games without goals against: 2.
  • Top scorer: Óscar Fernández (9 goals).
  • Most games played: Héctor Zuazua (33 games).
  • Coach with more games: Pablo Busto (34 games).

In Tercera División/Tercera Federación

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Seasons Pld W D L GF GA
23 830 267 221 342 949 1186

Updated as of the end of the 2023–24 season.[13]

  • Best position: 1st (2020–21).
  • Consecutive season in Tercera División: 17th (2003–04 to 2019–20).
  • Record home win: 6–0 vs Condal (2017–18).
  • Record away win: 0–4 vs Llanes (2012–13) and vs Barcia (2023–24), 1–5 vs Siero (2019–20) and vs Gijón Industrial (2023–24).
  • Consecutive games undefeated: 13 (2020–21).
  • Consecutive wins: 7 (2020–21).
  • Consecutive games without goals against: 5 (2009–10 and 2020–21).
  • Top scorer: Jimmy (47 goals).
  • Most games played: Juan Carlos (295 games, including playoffs).
  • Coach with more games: Nacho Cabo (156 games, including playoffs).

Most capped players

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Below is a list of the ten players with the most caps for Ceares in national leagues, Copa del Rey and Copa RFEF, as of the end of the 2022–23 season. Players in bold are currently playing at Ceares.

# Player Period Caps Goals
1 Juan Carlos 2011–2023 362 37
2 Pablo Martínez 2013–2020 236 20
3 Fonso Bellón 2012–2019 234 7
4 Jimmy 2009–2016 228 48
5 Chery 2014–2020 221 3
6 Pablo Prendes 2003–2006
2007–2009
2014–2015
203 10
7 David Bermejo 2003–2009 176 1
8 Chelís 2003–2009 172 4
9 Mario de la Roca 2003–2007
2011–2012
161 6
10 Aitor Cañedo 2013–2018
2020–2023
160 6

Top goalscorers

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Below is a list of the top ten goalscorers for Ceares in national leagues, Copa del Rey and Copa RFEF, as of the 2021–22 season. Players in bold are currently playing at Ceares.

# Player Period Goals Caps Average
1 Jimmy 2009–2016 48 228 0.21
2 Juan Carlos 2011–2023 37 362 0.10
3 Marcos Iglesias 2015–2017 34 68 0.50
4 Francisco Castaño 2006–2009 30 112 0.27
5 Álvaro Ponte 2013–2016 25 97 0.26
6 José María Luengo 2005–2007
2011–2012
23 104 0.22
7 Carlos Madeira 2017–2018
2020–
23 97 0.24
8 Juan Menéndez 2017–2019 20 78 0.26
Pablo Martínez 2013–2020 20 236 0.08
9 Jorge Vázquez 2010–2011
2012–2013
18 58 0.31
Borja Noval 2011–2014 18 93 0.19
Dani Peláez 2005–2007
2016–2017
18 106 0.17

Famous players

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Head coaches

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Rogelio García, one of the most prolific coaches in the club's history

All official games are counted.

Name First match date Last match date Pld W D L PCT
Nardo 1985 1987 78 26 29 23 .333
Eugenio Méndez 29 August 1987 10 January 1988 19 1 4 14 .053
Amaro 17 January 1988 24 January 1988 2 0 1 1 .000
Armando Sanz 31 January 1988 22 May 1988 17 1 4 12 .059
César Fernández 4 September 1988 8 October 1989 44 9 11 24 .205
Aníbal López 15 October 1989 27 May 1990 32 11 8 13 .344
Serafín Menéndez 1 September 1991 1 September 1991 1 0 0 1 .000
Angelín 8 September 1991 10 January 1993 56 20 14 22 .435
Quintanal 17 January 1993 8 December 1996 148 59 33 56 .399
Nicolás Jiménez Mármol 31 August 1997 30 May 1999 40 11 6 23 .275
Graciano Fano (2 times) 15 December 1996 16 January 2000 37 7 13 17 .189
José Ramón Trapero 22 January 2000 4 February 2001 40 11 6 23 .275
Javier González 11 February 2001 27 May 2002 32 23 8 1 .719
Brasi (2 times) 12 April 1997 14 April 2002 38 27 8 3 .711
Berrocal 21 April 2002 26 May 2002 6 2 1 3 .333
José Antonio Redondo 5 August 2007 12 January 2008 24 9 2 13 .375
Rogelio García (2 times) 1 September 2002 17 May 2009 260 95 76 89 .365
Florentino Angulo (2 times) 2 September 1990 13 May 2012 152 50 30 72 .329
Miguelín 30 July 2014 3 October 2015 51 23 15 13 .451
Iñaki Eraña 11 October 2015 15 May 2016 31 8 6 17 .258
Tino del Corzo 31 July 2016 14 May 2017 42 14 8 20 .333
Nacho Cabo (2 times) 26 August 2012 19 May 2019 164 62 51 51 .378
Alberto Menéndez 31 July 2019 7 March 2020 32 7 11 14 .219
Pablo Busto 15 November 2020 15 May 2022 61 21 9 31 .344

Memorial Pepe Ortiz

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Since 2011, UC Ceares starts the pre-season playing a friendly trophy called Memorial Pepe Ortiz in hommage of the former player of Sporting de Gijón from 1949 to 1963, considered as the best player of the history of the neighbourhood.[14]

Year Winner Runner-up Score
2011[a] Roces Ceares 1–0
2012 Sporting B Ceares 2–0
2013 Avilés Ceares 2–1
2014 Sporting B Ceares 2–0
2015 Ceares La Bañeza 2–1
2016 Atlético Pinto Ceares 2–1
2017 Ceares Gijón Industrial 2–1
2018 Ceares Candás 3–2
2019 Langreo Ceares 2–0
2020 Ceares Candás 2–0
2021 Ceares Gijón Industrial 1–1 (5–3 p)
2022 UD Ourense Ceares 1–0
2023 Ceares Covadonga 1–0
  1. ^ Four teams played the first edition. Racing La Guía finished third and Manuel Rubio fourth.

Agreed and affiliated teams

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Gijón FF

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Gijón Fútbol Femenino is the only women's football team of Gijón that played in the Superliga.

In 2015, Gijón FF started to act as de facto's women's section of Ceares and both created the Mixed Football Academy.

Veriña

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Veriña Club de Fútbol, located in the namesake parish, is one of the most important youth football teams in the city. The collaboration agreement started in 2020, during the months Ceares had to play at Estadio Lloreda due to the improvement works at La Cruz.[15]

References

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  1. ^ "El Oviedo cede un empate ante el Ceares en tiempo añadido" (in Spanish). El Comercio hemerotec. 6 April 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2017.
  2. ^ "El Ceares es el mejor club para la despedida" (in Spanish). El Comercio. 26 April 2007. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  3. ^ "De las gradas a los despachos: Fútbol popular y anglófilo en Ceares" (in Spanish). Los ideales del gol. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  4. ^ "El Ceares se hace con el liderato en casa de L'Entregu" (in Spanish). El Comercio. 18 November 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  5. ^ "2-0.El Salvador vence a dominicanos en primer triunfo en era del español Roca" [2-0.El Salvador defeat to Dominicans in first victory in era of Spanish Roca] (in Spanish). Mundo Deportivo. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  6. ^ "Resumen de la Asamblea Extraordinaria de soci@s" (in Spanish). UC Ceares. 6 March 2015.
  7. ^ PRESEDO, A. (2007-12-14). "Testigo de El Llano". El Comercio: Diario de Asturias (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-10-19.
  8. ^ "El Ceares ampliará las instalaciones de La Cruz con un segundo campo" (in Spanish). El Comercio. 18 April 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
  9. ^ "Ceares y Gijón Femenino tendrán sintético" (in Spanish). FutbolAsturiano.es. 20 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  10. ^ "Sobre la instalación de hierba sintética en La Cruz" [About the set up of synthetic grass in La Cruz] (in Spanish). UC Ceares. 23 July 2019. Retrieved 12 August 2019.
  11. ^ "La Federación Nacional desestima el recurso de los equipos regionales". El Comercio (in Spanish). 27 August 1952.
  12. ^ Profile at Fútbol Regional
  13. ^ "Histórico UC Ceares" (in Spanish). Futbolme.net. Retrieved 29 June 2019.
  14. ^ "III Trofeo 'Pepe Ortiz': UC Ceares – Real Avilés" (in Spanish). UC Ceares website. 24 July 2013.
  15. ^ "El Veriña CF améstase na escuela mista y va ser filial del UC Ceares. El AD Lloreda entama con nos como club collaborador" (in Asturian). UC Ceares. 9 March 2020.
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