Sliema president confirms intention to step down
Arrigo calls time on 'successful' tenure
Robert Arrigo is to step down as Sliema Wanderers FC president at the end of this season.
In a statement, Arrigo, who is also a Member of Parliament for the governing Nationalist Party, confirmed that he will not be seeking another term at the helm of Sliema Wanderers.
"This is to confirm that, after a spell of over 12 happy and successful years at the helm of this top club, I will not be presenting my name at the next Annual General Meeting of Sliema Wanderers," Arrigo wrote.
"The timing of this announcement is intended to give the person/s interested (in the Sliema presidency) ample time to plan the future of the club.
"Another reason is the club's overdue return to our Tignè home, forecast to take place in late 2009, where long-term planning by the new team is a must, also considering Sliema Wanderers' involvement in other sports."
Arrigo's decision to call time on his tenure as Sliema president had been expected in light of the team's on-going struggles to challenge for the Premier League title.
Although the season is not over yet, Sliema have fallen nine points off the title pace after losing 2-0 to title rivals Valletta last weekend, their third defeat in the last four matches.
The Wanderers were regarded among the top favourites to win the championship on the back of a high-profile transfer campaign but their performances on the pitch have failed to live up to expectations.
In November, Sliema parted ways with then coach Ray Farrugia by mutual consent and appointed Stephen Azzopardi as his replacement.
In his statement, Arrigo said that he has attained all the objectives he set out to achieve on taking over the Sliema presidency in 1996.
"My agenda on getting elected as president of SWFC, way back in 1996, was to make Sliema the most successful club in Malta over a period of 10 years," Arrigo said.
"I managed to reach my goals earlier than anticipated and today Sliema can boast of being the most successful club in local football, insofar as championship titles, trophy wins and the amount of overall honours are concerned.
"These happy years would not have been possible without the faithful and constant support of all the committee members who served SWFC, the club sponsors, the various helpers, the club's nursery, and the players who wore the Sliema jersey.
"No amount of thanks can pay back the time, the dedication and passion these people have given to our glorious club."
While wishing success to the future Sliema president, Arrigo concluded his statement by pledging a shirt sponsorship to the club through one of his companies, provided that the new committee accepts his offer.