Melita get Gregory's nod

Martin Gregory is the new coach of Melita AFC. The former Malta international replaces Steve D'Amato who on Tuesday called time on his long spell as Melita coach to take charge of struggling Ħamrun Spartans in the Premier League.

"We are confident that Martin Gregory has the experience and knowhow to take the team forward," Anton Naudi, the Melita president, told The Times. Naudi will introduce Gregory to the players before his first training session on Monday.

"This is an exciting challenge for me," Gregory, 43, said.

"I'm happy to have joined a club who have a policy of developing their own players for the senior team."

Melita have enjoyed a positive start to the 2008-09 Division Two season. They have already secured a berth in the quarter-finals of the KO and are still unbeaten in the league after three matches.

Gregory, who has had coaching stints with Sliema, Għargħur and Qormi, is confident Melita can produce a strong promotion challenge.

"From what I've seen, there are some very good players here," Gregory said. "I'm upbeat about our chances of promotion."