In the Board of Directors meeting held today at the Benito Villamarín Stadium Mrs Isabel Simó and Mr Fernando Criado have renounced their positions on the Board at their own request and in accordance with the commitment made at the time with the receiver Mr Francisco Estepa. The Board of Directors of Real Betis Balompié unanimously and, as expressed by the President, wished to place on record their appreciation for the generosity and responsibility demonstrated by their attitude and their incalculable services rendered to the entity. Mr Francisco Estepa, receiver, wished to record his personal thanks to the two outgoing directors for having the courage and responsibility to continue on the board in very difficult times for the entity.

In the same Board meeting two new members were co-opted, Mr Sebastián Alabanda Fernández and Mr José Montoro Pizarro; consequently the board of directors of Real Betis Balompié is composed Manuel Domínguez Platas, Fernando Casas, Antonio José Sánchez Pino, Diego García León, Tomás Solano, Francisco Estepa, Sebastián Alabanda and José Montoro.

SEBASTIÁN ALABANDA FERNÁNDEZ

Alabanda Sebastián Fernández (b. Posadas, 1950) began his career in the lower echelons of Real Betis when he was 15 years old. During his apprenticeship and before joining the first team, he was loaned twice to other entities. In fact, his professional debut was at Rayo Vallecano in the 72-73 season.

In the 73-74 season he returned to Betis, where he played for seven seasons. He played 229 matches in the League, King's Cup and Cup Winners' Cup, scoring a total of 19 goals and forming a memorable midfield with Julio Cardeñosa and Javier López. Alabanda was one of the members of the legendary team that won the first King's Cup in 1977 and received his first international cap in a match against West Germany.

In 1980 he left Betis to play with the Murcia for two seasons. After his retirement, he returned to Seville and focused his professional career in the banking sector, working for The General Granada for 27 years until his retirement. Neighbour of Heliopolis district, he is a regular in the stands of the Benito Villamarín Stadium.

JOSÉ MONTORO PIZARRO

Sebastian Alabanda joins the Board of Directors together with José Montoro Pizarro, the 62-year-old from Utrera is a partner of Puerta de Jerez SC notary's office.

A reputed notary of Seville and recognized Betis supporter, José Montoro has a special place in his memory for the visits that he made with his father every Sunday to the Benito Villamarín Stadium as a child, kindling his devotion to Real Betis Balompié in those years.

A shareholder of Real Betis Balompié since it became a Public Ltd Sports Company and a member of the green-and-white club for over 20 years, during which time he has maintained his loyalty to the club despite his varied professional destinations which have forced him to live far from the capital of Seville.

Member of the Utrera Betis Fan Club, he was co-founder and president between 1989 and 1994 of the Algeciras Betis Fan Club, in addition to presiding the La Cartuja Betis Forum for six years (2006-2012), which he also co-founded.

In 2011 José Pizarro Montoro was appointed 'Betis supporter of the Year' by the Association of Veterans Betis Supporters.