Upward-looking St Andrews unveil new sponsors

The up-and-coming Division One club Luxol St Andrews announced their team’s new official sponsors, Canas y Tapas, a popular Spanish franchise restaurant, wine bar and cafe located just off St George’s Bay.

The sponsorship deal covers a period of three years and coincides with a spate of new signings which should make St Andrews strong contenders for promotion to the Premier League.

This was acknowledged by Paul Falzon and Jason Falzon, club president and vice-president respectively, as well as the coaching staff, who expressed their optimism for this season. Their 25-man squad includes some established faces who should fit into a strong, well-knit group under head coach Wayne Attard and his assistant Roger Walker, the former Sliema Wanderers striker.

The new signings are former Malta defender Brian Said, who rejoins the club after stints with Sliema and Floriana, goalkeeper Daniel Balzan (on loan from Hibs), Ryan Previ (ex-Tarxien ), Mark Hyzler (ex-Sliema) and foreigners Arafa Nakua, an ex-Libya international, Portuguese Valdo Alhino and Thomas Lindberg, from Sweden.

While stressing that the real strength is within the squad as a unit and especially on those who have come through the nursery ranks, Falzon said that 18 players in the senior squad are home-grown talent and his club takes pride in this.

He also remarked that the competition in Division One will be very keen as the contestants look equally balanced. “We will take each game at a time and hopefully reap the desired results at the end of the season,” Falzon said.

“Special thanks go to Mark Grima of Canas y Tapas and Simon Grima for their support, the squad for their hard work throughout the build-up to the season, the coaches and other technical staff among whom Sean Sullivan, goalkeepers’ coach, and Anatole Debono, team manager.”