Valletta may be one of the most financially stable clubs these days but that is not stopping them from embarking on new ventures aimed at increasing their income.
Having sealed a lucrative sponsorship deal with Insignia last summer, Valletta have teamed up with their commercial partners to create a club-branded credit card.
‘Use it with pride’ is the moniker adopted by Valletta and Insignia to promote the credit card which, in addition to the customary financial services, will also offer other football-related perks to the subscribers, including the opportunity to win tickets for the UEFA Champions League final.
Alex Fenech, the Valletta FC vice-president, is confident that the new credit card will prove a hit with the loyal City supporters.
“We have been working on this project for the past two months,” Fenech told a news conference at the Golden Tulip Vivaldi.
“We are now in a position to launch the new Valletta FC credit card tomorrow (today).
“This represents a new, exciting step in our partnership with Insignia who specialise in the provision of financial services.”
Insignia are eager to unveil the Valletta FC credit card in style.
According to Fenech, Insignia have invited Marco van Basten and Ruud Gullit, two Dutch legends and former Milan stalwarts, to attend this evening’s event, being held at Palazzo Parisio, but they were still waiting for a reply.
A shirt signed by Brazil great Pele and one by Lionel Messi, the Argentina and Barcelona star, and a pair of football boots signed by Portugal and Real Madrid ace Cristiano Ronaldo, will be auctioned at this evening’s event with the proceeds going to the Valletta FC nursery.
Paul Spiteri, the Valletta FC senior vice-president, announced that the Citizens have commissioned football historian Carmel Baldacchino to write a book about the history of the club.
“Carmel Baldacchino envisages a two-volume publication because there is so much to write about the history of Valletta FC,” Spiteri said.
“The first volume, covering the period from the early days of football in Valletta to season 1963-64, will be published next year.
“I take this opportunity to appeal to anyone who is in possession of old photos of Valletta and the club’s pioneers to approach us as our intention is to produce a comprehensive history of our glorious team.”
Spiteri also revealed that Valletta are planning to host a weekly radio programme in the near future while the club will organise a Christmas reception for members and fans at Il Cortile on December 7.
Valletta’s progress in this season’s Premier League and their bid to reclaim the title were also discussed during yesterday’s news conference.
Ryan Fenech, the in-form Valletta captain, is convinced that the team are back on track after finishing a disappointing third last season.
“The main difference is that, this season, we have a better understanding of what coach Mark Miller expects from us,” Fenech said.
“The nucleus of Maltese players at the club has essentially remained the same, there hasn’t been much movement.
“The club have brought some new foreigners. We had valid foreigners last year but the ones we have this time are good players with a great character.”
Signed from Ħamrun Spartans in January 2011, Fenech initially struggled to establish himself at Valletta but his performances this season suggest that the Malta midfielder is fulfilling his potential.
“I’m settled here,” Fenech, 27, said.
“The players and coach believe in me and that makes a big difference. But the most important thing is that I’m enjoying my football, knowing that the supporters are also behind me. I believe that I’m on the right track.”
Meanwhile, Valletta are still looking to strengthen their squad despite signing no fewer than three new foreign players in the last few weeks, namely Nigerian midfielder Raimi Bakare, English striker Lateef Elford-Alliyu and Spanish defender Oscar Reyes Sanchez.
It emerged yesterday that Valletta may offer a contract to an experienced Cameroonian striker who had a spell with French club Sochaux.