Brit expat fans fought back the tears as Tenerife – once coached by ex-Liverpool boss Rafael Benítez – were relegated from La Liga 2.
Eighty four supporters travelled to the must-win game in two coaches to cheer on the players for “giving 100%”.
The Brit fans travel to the island’s northern capital Santa Cruz from their homes in the sunny south.
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Expat Chris Todd, 57, helps to run the fan group Armada Sur – which translates as South Armada – which is mostly made up of Brits living in the south of the island.
They went to the Heliodoro Rodríguez López Stadium to see their beloved CD Tenerife relegated to Spain’s third-tier league.
They needed to beat Racing Ferrol at home to have a chance of survival, but the game finished 0-0 and the ‘Blanquiazules’ went down to the semi-professional Segunda División B.
Despite the heartbreak, thousands of fans stayed behind after the final whistle to cheer and sing for the players.
And Armada Sur was in full voice, chanting away in their best Spanish.
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Chris told What’s The Jam: “It was very emotional.
“But it was great scenes at the end for a relegated team.
“The players tried their best over the past two months, but just fell short.”
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Chris, a season-ticket holder at CD Tenerife, added: “Maximum respect between fans and players.”
The season-ticket holder said dozens of Brits will be flying to mainland Spain on the final day of the season on 1 June.
CD Tenerife fans have booked two charter flights to support their team in Almeria.
Chris, who originally comes from Aldershot and has lived in Tenerife for 37 years, said: “Obviously, being relegated is bad, but it’s been an awesome last few months and the players have been giving 100%.
“So much so that we have filled two charter flights for the last match in Almeria on 1 June, even though we are down.”
CD Tenerife has spent nearly 12 years playing in La Liga 2.
Despite the efforts of manager Alvaro Cervera and his squad, they weren’t able to avoid the drop.
CD Tenerife has played the most matches in Spain’s second division than any other club with 1,812 league games.
They have also been involved in 12 promotion playoff encounters over 48 seasons.
They last played in La Liga in the 2009-10 season.
They also enjoyed 10 years in Spain’s top flight between 1989 and 1999.
Benítez promoted CD Tenerife back into La Liga in 2001 with a side that included future Liverpool star Luis García.
Chris remains hopeful they will bounce back next year.
He said, “We’ll come back stronger.
“Look at Mallorca, they went down two leagues, came straight back up twice, and then qualified for Europe.”
CD Tenerife’s arch rivals UD Las Palmas, who play in the neighbouring island Gran Canaria, were relegated from La Liga last night (14 May).
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