The 2001-02 campaign was a season of soaring ambition for Elche as Los Franjiverdes clinched an impressive 5th-place finish in the Segunda División, mounting a genuine challenge for promotion back to the top flight. Leading the charge was the clinical forward Nino, whose crucial 18 goals anchored the attack in a campaign built on defensive solidity, a positive goal difference of +13, and renewed hope. Though they narrowly missed out on a coveted promotion spot, the year's strong run solidified their status as serious contenders in the second tier and remains a defining chapter of their modern history.