Elche Back In Spanish Top Flight

[Folami David]

Elche were promoted to the Spanish first division after a 24-year absence when Alcorcon could only manage a 1-1 draw at Barcelona B on Saturday.
.
Alicante-based Elche, who play in green and white, last featured in La Liga in the 1988-89 season and spent seven terms in the third tier of Spanish soccer in the 1990s.
.
Their golden period came in the 1960s under coach Heriberto Herrera and they finished fifth in the first division in 1963-64 behind Real Madrid, Barcelona, Real Betis and Real Zaragoza.
.
Saturday's draw for third-placed Alcorcon leaves them 11 points behind leaders Elche with three games left, meaning Elche, who play at fifth-placed Almeria on Sunday, are assured of at least one of the two automatic promotion spots.
.
Elche have 77 points, 10 ahead of second-placed Girona, who were playing at fourth-placed Villarreal later on Saturday. If Girona fail to win Elche will be certain of first place as they have a superior head-to- head record against the Catalan club.