Lija strengthen squad ahead of Division One challenge
Four Serbian players on trial
Lija Athletic have made several signings in the close season to bolster their chances of keeping their Division One status in what promises to be a highly-competitive league campaign this season.
During a news conference, held last week at the club’s premises, Charles J. Scerri, the president and chairman of Lija Athletic, welcomed the newly-signed players. Scerri also said that a host of players are back in the Lija squad after returning from loan spells with other clubs.
Marco Gerada, who has been confirmed as Lija Athletic coach for season 2010/11, yesterday conducted the first pre-season training session after the summer recess.
Apart from four Serbian players - Admir Džanovic, Nebojša Djokic, Miloš Jovanovic and Marko Potežica – who are having a trial with the club, Lija have also secured the services of goalkeeper Sean Mintoff, formerly of St Patrick, Wayne Borg St John from Mellieħa, Ayrton Buhagiar from Mdina Knights, brothers Matthew and Timmy Fleri Soler from Hibernians, Tonio MacKay from Valletta and Dalton Caruana from Ħamrun Spartans.
Scerri also announced that the club have extended their sponsorship agreements with Falzon Group of Companies, Lija’s main sponsor, Gardenia Household Goods, D. Formosa (Esso Ltd) and W.P. Ltd. EuroSport are Lija’s technical partners.
Scerri spoke about the ongoing works at the Lija/Balzan football ground where a new clubhouse has just been built and furnished thanks to the unstinting efforts of some of the club’s committee members.
Lija’s new clubhouse comprises dressing rooms, a conference room and offices which will be used by the club and its nursery.
The next stage of the ground project includes the installation of floodlight poles and new fences.
Scerri said the upgrading of the club’s facilities has been made possible thanks to the financial support received from the National Lottery Good Causes Fund, the Ministry for Culture, Youth and Sport and the Kunsill Malti għall-iSport and the ongoing voluntary work of a number of Lija committee members.