Spartans target top-six berth

Hamrun Spartans have set their sights on securing Championship Pool football this season as they seek to re-establish themselves among the top teams following their promotion in May.

Year 2007 was a positive one so far for the Spartans who capped their centenary celebrations by booking a return to the Premier League after an absence of only one season.

The team is now under the guidance of new coach Marco Gerada. He replaced Atanas Marinov.

Gerada is aware of the demands required to survive in the Premier League as last season he was at the helm of another promoted side, St George's, who, however, failed to retain their status in the top flight.

Despite being in the job for only a few weeks, Gerada knows the pressures he will face and has looked to strengthen the team with some useful signings, namely, Nigerians Precious Monye and Alfred Effiong, veteran goalkeeper Sean Sullivan and promising winger Gianluca Calabretta, who was on the books of Serie D side Leonzio in 2006/07.

"Coaching a popular club such as Hamrun will be a huge challenge for me," Gerada said during a conference call at the SAS Radisson Golden Sands Hotel.

"After a few training sessions, I soon realised that this was going to be a completely different experience. The club has an organised set-up and there are bigger expectations from the fans.

"Everyone remembers the glory days of the 1980s. Now, our target is to reinstate this team at the top of Maltese football. We will have to be patient but the early signs are encouraging. So, I'm confident that we can reach our goal."

Gerada sounded pleased with the pre-season but admitted that it's still premature to say how competitive his team is when compared to others in the league.

"I guess, it's still too early for comparisons," Gerada said.

"For the past five weeks the squad held regular training sessions with the players settling in nicely. We started well but there is ample room for improvement. The best way for us is to arrive for the start of the season in top shape as we want to play in the Championship Pool.

"This club is renowned for its strong support. Now, we expect the fans to be right behind us from the start as their backing will be essential throughout the season."

Club president Gejtu Cuschieri said his committee is looking at all ways possible to strengthen the team but without putting the club's financial position in danger.

"The committee has put this club on solid administrative grounds," Cuschieri said. "We are serious in our intentions and we're always on the look-out to secure a sounder future for the club.

Artificial turf

"Among the projects we intend to undertake is an upgrade to our facilities at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.

"There are plans for an artificial turf pitch and a new floodlight system. It's a very ambitious project but we are confident as we are planning very carefully in this regard."

Next week, the supporters club will be launching a new publication, Lejn ic-Centinarju, to mark the Spartans' 100th year since the foundation date.

Yesterday's friendlies

Birkirkara vs Valletta 1-0
Hamrun Spartans vs Malta U-17 7-0