Penya Ciutadella are set to return to the Regional Preferente Menorca next season, after their shock withdrawal on the eve of the last campaign.

Barely days before the 2022/23 season was due to begin, Penya withdrew leaving an odd number of teams in the division.

But they promise to be back with a bang next season following the appointment of Raul Capo, who led CE Alaior to the Menorcan championship and promotion to Tercera Division this campaign.

Capo announced his decision to leave Alaior for family, work and personal reasons, presumably due to the excessive travelling and time required for the step up to Tercera Division.

He had been in charge at Alaior for the past two seasons, and the club paid tribute to him.

A CE Alaior club statement said: “From the club we want to wish Raül Capó all the luck and all the successes, we are sure that he will achieve them due to his work methodology, his extensive knowledge of football, his temperament and his constancy and perseverance.”

His replacement has since been announced as Jose Angel Moyano, previously with CCE Sant Lluis.

Moyano, a midfielder, made 57 appearances for Sporting Mahones before their demise during the 2011/12 season. He played in what turned out to be the club’s last ever game, a 6-0 defeat to Sant Andreu.

The appointment of Moyano was revealed on the Chiringuito de Jugones TV programme by Josep Pedrerol, one of the most prominent football pundits in Spain. He had visited Alaior to give a talk on sports and communications and was given the exclusive news.

The return of Penya Ciutadella to the Menorcan championship means it will surely run once again with 11 teams next season, assuming CE Ferreries do not perform a miracle and earn promotion to Tercera Division.

CF Norteno made a return to the competition last season, so hopefully there will be no withdrawals similar to that of Penya.

With the prospect of promotion now becoming more realistic following the re-structure of recent years, clubs can see where hard work can take them.