Ambitious Floriana targeting Europe

After a busy summer of transfer activity, Floriana FC have set their sights on regaining their place back among the elite of Maltese football.

It has been a very long time since the Greens challenged seriously for the major domestic honours, but this summer the club seems heading in the right direction after adopting a different strategy.

Johann Said, the club’s new president, and his committee have worked relentlessly hard in strengthening a squad that last season failed to play in the Championship Pool and only had the satisfaction of reaching the final of the National League 100 Anniversary Cup but lost to fierce rivals Valletta 2-1.

Bulgarian Todor Raykov replaced Zoran Popovic as first team coach as the club succeeded in luring to their fold no fewer than eight new players.

These were Tunisian goalkeeper Lofti Saidi, defenders Tyrone Farrugia and Bulgarian Ivailo Sokolov, midfielders Christian Cassar, Kiril Dzhorov (Bulgaria) and Manolito Micallef and strikers Ivan Woods and Michael Mercerod, of the US.

Tough campaign

Said yesterday told a news conference that the club’s main ambition for 2010/11 was to see the team challenging for the top positions and earn the right to play European football next season.

“We are aware that we are facing a very tough campaign but we feel this squad is good enough to be competitive against all other teams in the top flight,” the Floriana president said.

“We have an ideal blend of young and experienced players, a team that will help this club regain its past glory. We’re all very optimistic that with the resources available, Floriana will qualify for UEFA club competitions.”

Raykov said that he was honoured to be handed the opportunity to revive the fortunes of a glorious club like Floriana FC.

“I am very excited at this prospect, to be part of such an ambitious project,” Raykov, who played for Birkirkara, said.

“We had a very positive pre-season and all players gave their 100 per cent during training. That has been mirrored in our results so far. We played eight times and remained unbeaten.

“This is a big club and we want the fans to rally behind this team and help us to achieve most of our goals this season.”

At the end of the conference Said thanked the club sponsors, namely GA Investments Limited, Giorgio Aluminium, Lightning Solutions, Twilight Sound System and Puma.