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Kevin Grech talks to Valletta FC President Charles Camilleri about finances and the once great team’s position in the bottom half of the table
This season Valletta started on a bad note. Do you see the possibility of the team finishing among the top four?
It is very true that this year our team started on a bad note. It is also true that due to our participation in the Intertoto Cup competition, our team could not have done the proper pre-season. In fact, we have sustained a lot of injuries. However, we hope that contrary to last year, whereby we had a great start and then finished fourth, this year would be the opposite. We will definitely do our best to finish among the first four.
How crucial is money to a team's success?
Money is definitely a necessity but not essential. We believe that we have gone a long way even without money.
How does the team finance its commitments and is there any plan to turn the club into a company?
No there is no plan to turn the club into a company. At least not for now. With regards to the financing, it is mainly sponsorships.
Is it Valletta's aim to build a competitive team around its home-grown players?
As can be seen, this year we are already introducing a lot of young players. We intend to build our future team with the existing players which we call the experienced together with these young lads.
Many of Sliema's players are former Valletta FC players, including the coach. Is it a coincidence, Sliema are passing through a long successful patch?
The players which you are mentioning have won all the trophies many times with Valletta. To be exact, they won all the cups which were up for grabs in one season, that is when we won the six cups. During the years they obviously earned a lot of experience. Undoubtedly, they are still very valid players.
Valletta FC has one of the most vociferous and supportive crowds at the terraces. Now that the team is languishing in mid-table, has the support mellowed?
A Valletta supporter is always a supporter. This means that no matter what or where the team is, this wonderful crowd of supporters is always there. We are very proud of our supporters. They are the envy of others.
Teams like Sliema and Marsaxlokk are buying a lot of players. Do you see this as a lack of commitment towards their nurseries?
I think you should ask them. Our club will always take care of its nursery and keep a watchful eye on the players, no matter what age.
What role does the Valletta nursery have within the whole club's set up?
Everyone can see for themselves what role the nursery has. Just look at this season's players and you will know the set up.
When the transfer window opens in January, are you going to strengthen the squad with new players?
We are now concentrating on what we have. When January comes we will see.
What role do you see for foreign players within Valletta FC's set up?
In my opinion the foreign players should be better than the Maltese players, otherwise we should stick to Maltese. However, these can be influential to the young players.
What position is the team aiming for this year's Premiere league?
As high as possible.
How important is it for Maltese players to gain playing experience abroad?
I think that everybody agrees that Maltese players who play abroad are gaining a lot of experience. Apart from the players themselves it is beneficial to the National team as well.
Gilbert Agius has dedicated his entire career to Valletta. How important is it to have a player like Gilbert in the squad – would you say he is a team leader?
Gilbert Agius is a clubman. He was born and bred in Valletta. He has a very pleasant character and has always been an inspiration to the team and to all the other players, be they young or the more established. Gilbert has started from the lower ranks, that is from our nursery and has always given his best to both club and country. He is our captain, he is the captain of the National team – I am sure that everyone agrees that he is a leader. No doubt about it.
To what would you attribute the Maltese national team's success in the last two world cup matches to?
Definitely to all the players, coaches, technical staff, MFA executives and last but not least the supporters. |
