News • 08 December 2002

New Hamrun regime already planning for the future

After cutting costs will try to lure back Camilleri; Mangion

Hamrun - The new regime at Hamrun Spartans is already planning ahead. They have a mission to put Hamrun back were they belong: at the forefront of Maltese football. The new committee headed by Mr Edgar Bonnici Cachia is not only planning to cut off heavy debts but also to reposition Hamrun Spartans as main challengers for Valletta, Sliema, Birkirkara and Hibernians.

The committee has formed an alliance with 50 businessmen with a clear agenda. Hamrun may not become main challengers this season but the stage is set for a comeback. Their first target is to avoid relegation then to cut debts aiming to qualify for Europe by next season.

The new regime is also interested in luring back their former midfield players David Camilleri and Rupert Mangion, now playing for Sliema Wanderers. Their return to the fold has to be a top priority for Hamrun.

Outgoing Hamrun FC president Victor Tedesco and his board resigned at an extraordinary general meeting prompted by the club's growing financial crisis. Hamrun are heavily in debt having struggled to cover the costs of their new stadium, estimated to be well over Lm150,000.

Unpaid players

The first act of new president Edgar Bonnici Cachia was to announce that, the players and coaching staff would be paid some of the money owed them. This promise was kept when last week the player were given their money. Victor Tedesco admitted that the players had not been paid since August. Bonnici Cachia who is heading a 10-man committee approved by club members also made it possible to rope in Hamrun businessmen to help with the current situation.

The consortium's financial support has already started to roll in saving the club from the brink of extinction extinction. Besides contributing Lm10,000 to start paying the salaries, the new business consortium has promised to contribute an added Lm5,000 a month to the club. This sum is expected to increase next year.

Hamrun's off-the-field problems are mirrored on it: the seven-time national champions lie third from bottom of the table. But the new regime is confident that by February the team would have moved up the table and even challenged for a place in the Championship Pool.

Man Utd link up back on track?

Last year Manchester United defender Gary Neville and officials from Hamrun Spartans football club had spoken about the possibility of a link-up between the two clubs regarding the youth teams. The plan is a possibility for Hamrun.

Gary Neville and a couple of coaches from Manchester United were on the brink of completing a deal with the club to train the Hamrun Nursery but nothing concrete came through.

With Hamrun Spartans in a healthier state Man. Utd. could continue with their tradition for turning teenage prodigies into accomplished first- team stars. United are doing this in Belgium, South Africa and the Far East and there is no reason why this could not also happen in Malta.

Inspired by Matt Busby, Alex Ferguson overhauled the ineffective United youth system that he inherited in 1986. Within six years, his newly improved scouting and coaching network had an FA Youth Cup triumph. This victorious Youth team of 1992 emulated the Babes when several of its players were promoted to the first team and became household names. In 1996, Manchester United's League and FA Cup Double-winning side included six players aged 22 or under.