Gregory backs Melita FC to retain status

Melita FC were in seventh heaven when their team of homegrown, unpaid youngsters secured promotion to Division One at the end of last season but the Amateurs do not intend to sit on their laurels.

Survival in the BOV Division One League is Melita's foremost objective and coach Martin Gregory is highly optimistic about his team's chances of retaining their status.

"Our objective this season is to keep our place in Division One," Gregory told The Times. "We have virtually retained the same squad we had last season plus a few additions."

Although Melita kick off their league campaign this evening with a daunting match against title- favourites Marsaxlokk, they have already had the opportunity to test themselves in their new environment thanks to their commitments in the Maltco Division One KO, the FA Trophy and the National League 100 Anniversary Cup.

"We were lucky in that the matches we've played in the KO, Trophy and Anniversary Cup gave us the chance to gauge the level of competition in Division One," Gregory said.

"Our players had no experience at this level. The matches in the cup competitions were a good learning curve for all of us. We identified the areas where we need to improve and the response of the players has been positive. In our last two outings, we showed progress and that's very encouraging for me as coach.

"One thing I have noticed in the past few months is that the standard of Division One football has improved compared to four years ago when I was the coach of Qormi in this league."

A 2-2 draw with San Ġwann in their opening Division One KO match was followed by three consecutive defeats against Mosta (2-4), St Patrick (1-4) and Marsaxlokk (2-4).

Gregory's boys suffered a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Vittoriosa Stars in a preliminary round match from the FA Trophy but in their next outing, Melita broke their duck, beating Pietà Hotspurs 2-0 to advance to the fourth round of the National League 100 Anniversary Cup.

Although Melita FC have won admirers all over the country for safeguarding their amateur values, their status puts them at a disadvantage with their Division One opponents. This is due to the fact that Melita, unlike the other teams in their category, can't sign a an overseas player because Malta FA regulations bar clubs from engaging a foreigner as an amateur.

Whereas the likes of Marsaxlokk, Melita's opponents tonight, have the luxury of fielding three foreign players, Gregory has to rely on an all Maltese squad. While acknowledging Melita's restrictions vis-a-vis their opponents, Gregory is not making a fuss about the matter.

"While I think this (the foreigner issue) is unfair on us, we just have to get on with it," Gregory said. "There's no point crying over something that can't happen."

Gregory agrees with the general perception that Marsa-xlokk are favourites to win the Division One title this season but he's not discarding the other teams.

"Considering the quality of their players, Marsaxlokk have to be regarded as favourites but the other teams are also competitive," Gregory said.

Narrowing his focus to his own squad, Gregory is pleased with the attitude and commitment of his players.

"Our players know that we're in for a tough season but they are willing to learn," Gregory said.

"As a coach, it's important to know that your players have the desire to improve. The club's motto is 'Playing the game for the game's sake' but this doesn't mean that we play only for fun. We have our targets and I'm confident that we can reach our goal of keeping our Division One status."

The Melita players may lack experience at Division One level but they need not look beyond their coach for expert guidance and inspiration as Gregory enjoyed a hugely successful playing career in which he also featured 64 times for Malta.

"The players can answer your question," Gregory replied when asked if the players look up to him. "This is not about me. Football is a team effort. We have a lot of young, promising players at Melita and five of them form part of the Malta U-21 squad."

Like all the other teams, Melita dream of playing in the top echelon of Maltese football. Their promotion to Division One has put them closer to the Premier League but Gregory is adamant that Melita will focus all their energies on establishing themselves in their new class before they aspire for other targets.

"I don't like to look too far ahead," Gregory, who took over from Steve D'Amato in November last year, said. "Let's concentrate on this season first."

Opening programme - Tedesco Stadium

Today: 19.00 Melita vs Marsaxlokk.

Tomorrow: 13.30 Pietà Hotspurs vs St Patrick; 15.30 Mosta vs San Ġwann. Sunday: 09.00 Mqabba vs Vittoriosa Stars; 11.15 St George's vs Balzan Youths.