Play-off encounters at root of friendship between Eibar & Ontinyent
The links between the two clubs were recently strengthened during Ontinyent's play-off campaign for promotion to Segunda B
Three play-off encounters between SD Eibar and Ontinyent CF are behind the long-standing relationship between the two clubs and their supporters.
These links were recently strengthened after Eibar allowed the Valencian outfit to use their Atxabalpe training base ahead of their Segunda B play-off tussle against Alavés B.
Ontinyent came out on top in the crunch clash to join Eibar's feeder team in securing promotion to Segunda B.
The two sides first locked horns in a play-off bout back in 1963, with Ontinyent prevailing 1-0 at El Clariano, after which Eibar levelled the tie courtesy of a 1-0 success back at Ipurua. With the tie all square, the deciding game was staged at Zaragoza's La Romareda, where the Valencians claimed a 5-0 win.
Bearing witness to this 1963 clash is the pennant presented by Ontinyent to Eibar, which represents one of the crowning jewels of our club museum given that it was hand-painted on embroidered satin, a highly elaborate technique which was uncommon in contemporary pennants.
Three years later, in 1966, the two clubs again renewed acquaintances. On this occasion, Ontinyent triumphed 3-2 in the first leg whilst Eibar ran out 2-0 winners at Ipurua, meaning that it was the Armeros who advanced.
In 2010, the two teams again pitted their wits against each other in a play-off game. This time round, Manix Mandiola's Armeros succumbed to defeat in both legs (2-1 at El Clariano and 1-0 at Ipurua) to see their promotion hopes extinguished.
Ontinyent, a club founded in 1931, nine years prior to Eibar, have managed six promotions to Segunda throughout their history, whilst Eibar hold a second-tier record after having maintained their Segunda status for 18 successive seasons.