Spanish Championship. RFEF Third Division. Group 9
RFEF Third Division Group 9 is one of 18 regional sections of Spain's Tercera, featuring ambitious clubs from Andalusia, Extremadura, and Castile-La Mancha. In the 2024/25 season, 18 teams compete, including UD Almería B, CD Ciudad de Lucena, and CD Móstoles. It's a battleground where youth prospects from elite academies clash with seasoned provincial warriors, fueling intense races for promotion.
History and foundation
Formed post-2020 Tercera RFEF reform from the old Tercera División, Group 9 spotlights southwest Spain's rivalries. The 2022/23 season saw Recreativo Huelva clinch promotion, while 2021 brought upsets from CD Diaguitas El Palo. Pandemic disruptions shortened campaigns, but the league rebounded strongly. Fun fact: talents like Xavi Simons honed skills in Almería's reserves here.
Tournament format
Standard double round-robin: 34 matches per team. Group winners promote directly to Segunda RFEF; 2nd and 3rd enter playoffs (six spots per group). Bottom three (16th-18th) relegate to Quinta RFEF; 13th-15th face survival playoffs. Games unfold on intimate grounds with raw fan passion.
Interesting facts
High-scoring affair at 2.8 goals per game, driven by attacking flair and defensive frailties. Top scorers include Miguel Corrale of Recreativo (24 in 2022/23) and José Antonio García of Lucena (19). Standouts: Antonio Martín, Almería B's rising midfielder, and veteran striker Rafael García of Móstoles, with Segunda B pedigree. League nurtured stars like Dani Ceballos in their early days.