By Andrew Atkinson EXCLUSIVE
CD Montesinos stalwart Joni Lorente Hurtado – Macca – is in his 24th year at the Valencia 1st Regional Group 9 football club.
“I have been at CD Montesinos since I was aged seven,” midfielder Joni, 31, told The Leader.
During those two-decades-plus Joni has seen new managers come and go at the Los Montesinos, Vega Baja based club.
“There has been many coaches that I have played under, with Luis Chazarra the longest and a big influence. But I remember all the coaches,” said Joni.
Looking back on his career, he reflected: “My best years in football were between the ages of 15 and 22.
“The biggest disappointment was when we were relegated from the 1st Regional, dropping down into the 2nd Regional.”
Joni added: “This season has been very rare, due to Covid-19. But we have very good players and a great squad, one of the best I remember at CD Montesinos.”
The club saw the departure of first team coach during the 2021-22 season, in a campaign that has seen Monte in the bottom and top half of the table.
“The aim is to finish this season and then become a coach of young children at CD Montesinos,” revealed Joni, set to hang up his playing boots.
Caption: Joni Lorente Hurtado with Andrew Atkinson, moving into coaching after 24 years at Monte.
