1969/70: First Promotion to the Second Division
The first time they were promoted to the Second Division (Segunda División) was the biggest step in the history of Villarreal CF up to that point. After three seasons in the Third Division (Tercera División) the club led Group VI, with 56 points; 23 wins, 10 draws and 5 losses (83 goals for and 36 against). First place gave them two chances to get promoted.
In the first match they lost to la Unión Popular Langreo, after losing in Asturias (1-0) and drawing at El Madrigal (1-1). But the Yellows made no mistake the second time around against Athletic Bilbao. In a very even clash, both matches finished with the same result (both teams won 2-1 at their grounds) and so they had to play a decider at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium. That day, on 7th July 1970, would be historic for Villarreal as they beat the Basque side 2-1 (goals from Luiche and Causanilles) and got promoted to the Second Division. The Manager was Pepe Rey and the players that played in the final were the following: Alapont, Debón, Alcañiz, Marzal, Eusebio, Linares, Martínez, Luiche, Palau, Causanilles and Serrano.
The Submarine served in the silver league of Spanish football for two consecutive seasons. In the first they kept themselves in the league and played in the playoffs for promotion, but the following season they could not do the same and were relegated back to the Third Division.
