Vittoriosa to focus solely on field of play

This has been a particularly busy summer for newly-promoted Premier League club Vittoriosa Stars who are looking to put aside off-field distractions and concentrate on the team's bid to avoid the drop from the top-flight at the first time of asking.

The Cottonera outfit did well last season to earn promotion along with Dingli Swallows after showing the best football in Division One.

However, the club was embroiled in a case of an alleged bribery attempt which is still pending in court and they are also involved in a probe by a Malta FA board to investigate corrupt practices.

Their case was scheduled to be heard yesterday but for the umpteenth time the MFA deferred the sentence to another date and is now scheduled for September 2.

Vittoriosa Stars president Erskin Vella yesterday told reporters at Couvre Porte that their aim was to focus solely on the team's effort to stave off relegation and prolong their stay in the top flight by another year.

"We wanted to strengthen our squad not to field a weak team in the Premier League," he said.

"It was hard work that took most of our time this summer but we think we did well in the transfer market and also acquired the services of a new coach, Winston Muscat. He should lead the team to safety."

Muscat has 21 players in his squad following a series of new acquisitions, 14 in all. This list could be added by two other signings before the transfer window closes.

"These are exciting times for Vittoriosa Stars but we have to be realistic and keep our feet firmly on the ground. It has been long years since we've been in the top flight so this is all new for us," Vella added.

Vittoriosa have never played in the Premier League and the last time they figured in the top echelon of local football was 33 years ago.

Among the major signings made by Vittoriosa were former Sliema players Jeffrey Chetcuti, Beppe Muscat and Henry Bonello, midfielder Mauro Brincat, who joined from Floriana, and Paul Camilleri, a defender who was on Qormi's books last season. They will be joined by foreigners Henry Isaac (Nigeria), Nikola Vukanac (Serbia) and Martin Hrubsa (Czech Republic).

This will be Muscat's first time in the Premier League after a spell with St Patrick in Division One. He knows he is facing a mammoth task to keep the team afloat but is confident of reaching his goal.

"We had a good pre-season and the players got to know each other well," he said.

"No doubt, this will be a difficult year for us but I have full faith in my players and I know we will be up to the task."

Club secretary Gerald Ellul is hopeful that Vittoriosa will achieve most of their objectives this season and urged the team to focus solely on their game.

"The MFA investigation has been dragging on for weeks now but we cannot stop and wait for something to happen. Nothing has been proved against us so far and we want to clear the club from any wrongdoing," he said.

"Off-field distractions could put the team off track so we are urging the players to stay united and focus mainly on their job on the field of play."