Consistency on the pitch and unity in the dressing room were the hallmarks of Valletta FC’s 23rd league title this season.

But the one who, perhaps, deserves a large slice of the credit, despite taking a rather low profile compared to previous campaigns, is surely the club supremo ­­– Victor Sciriha.

Last summer, Sciriha surprised everyone and brought coach Paul Zammit back to the club.

He then convinced his fellow colleagues in the committee to invest wisely and for City to assemble a solid squad as negotiations were at a slow progress with major sponsors.

Taking over the presidency in 2007, Sciriha’s hefty investment in the club saw the Lilywhites emerging as Malta champions five times under his charge.

But this particular title, wrapped up with another round of boisterous partying by the City supporters on Saturday, will surely hold a special significance for Sciriha as it surpassed all expectations.

“It was definitely the most difficult championship we’ve won since I’ve been at Valletta FC,” he said while appreciating the fans’ cheers as the long parade to the capital started at the end of Saturday’s 1-1 draw against nearest pursuers and outgoing champions Hibernians.

“Indeed, it was a tough road but the title was richly deserved. We were very consistent and, at times, we succeeded in grinding out the result even with a below-par performance.

“We did well to stay grounded when the other title pretenders were still being labelled as favourites by the pundits… this aspect alone adds more value to our remarkable campaign.”

Sciriha knew that having a talented coach alone wasn’t going to do the trick, though.

“Our poor showing in Europe spurred us to work harder with the coach to start a new project and for Valletta to become serious contenders in the not-too-distant future,” Sciriha contended.

“Fortunately, the signings we made in the off-season were effective and all newcomers fitted nicely in the team. For sure, there will be no major overhaul this summer as most of our players in the squad are under contract.

“Our aim is to keep building on these foundations. We want to see this team making progress and advance as much as possible in European competitions.”

Midfielder Roderick Briffa, who has been with Valletta through thick and thin, hailed the spirit inside the team.

“Many will say that this was one of the best championships we’ve won in recent years and I agree,” he said.

“Even in difficult times, we stuck together and reaffirmed our determination to continue with our objective and win the Premier League.

“When you look back, these last few weeks were surely testing ones for us after seeing a six-point lead cut to just one. But that shows the strength and character of the team.

We have an option to extend Falcone’s stay with us beyond this season and we’re going for that direction

“The upset in the derby at such a crucial juncture of the championship was a timely wake-up call. In my opinion, we had become somewhat complacent since results kept coming our way. But, we rose to the occasion and did not let the title slip from our hands.”

Briffa, a major contender for this year’s Footballer of the Year award, has six championship medals under his belt – four of which in City’s white shirt.

That makes him one of the most decorated players in the local game.

“At the start of the season, no-one was giving us a chance,” Briffa said.

“But, with extra foreign players involved there was more balance in the Premier League. A big credit goes to Mr Sciriha, the committee and the coaching staff for managing to attract the right mix of players.

“The coach did well with the new players and they settled in quickly. I’m convinced Valletta deserved to be crowned champions because we’ve been the most consistent team in the league.”

A city striker who has given opposing defenders all sorts of problems with his towering physique this season was Argentine Federico Falcone.

He also made an instant impact in Zammit’s team with a series of top-notch performances.

“I am happy to have scored 16 goals and helped this team win the championship,” he told Times of Malta.

“In summer, I had other offers but I chose Valletta FC because I heard about the club and that Maltese football was improving. Coming here I also found that the level among the local footballers was also high.”

Falcone’s agility and technical abilities saw him execute spectacular strikes this season including the acrobatic goal against Qormi.

On other occasions, he demonstrated the other side of his game – a fast and opportunistic penalty-area marauder with quick reactions, scoring less glamorous but equally-important tap-in goals.

“That goal against Qormi (Valletta-Qormi 2-1 on October 24) was spectacular indeed but my top goal should be the one against Balzan the other week… that was a difficult team to beat and a difficult match to win.”

Unsurprisingly, Valletta are keen to hold on to Falcone but reports elsewhere said that his fine season in the Maltese league has also caught the eye of a host of clubs outside the country.

Sciriha is adamant Valletta will not let him go.

“There is no issue here… Falcone is our player,” he said.

“I do not know who brought up this matter, really. We have an option to extend Falcone’s stay with us beyond this season and we’re going for that direction.”

Falcone told Times of Malta discussions to sort out his future will take place between the club and his agent this week.

“But I do not want to talk about this now. I just want to celebrate with my team-mates and this great group of Valletta supporters.”

Maltese league champions

1909-10: Floriana
1910-11: not held
1911-12: Floriana
1912-13: Floriana
1913-14: Ħamrun
1914-15: Valletta
1915-16: not held
1916-17: St George’s
1917-18: Ħamrun
1918-19: KOMR
1919-20: Sliema
1920-21: Floriana
1921-22: Floriana
1922-23: Sliema
1923-24: Sliema
1924-25: Floriana
1925-26: Sliema
1926-27: Floriana
1927-28: Floriana
1928-29: Floriana
1929-30: Sliema
1930-31: Floriana
1931-32: Valletta
1932-33: Sliema
1933-34: Sliema
1934-35: Floriana
1935-36: Sliema
1936-37: Floriana
1937-38: Sliema
1938-39: Sliema
1939-40: Sliema
1940-44: not held
1944-45: Valletta
1945-46: Valletta
1946-47: Ħamrun
1947-48: Valletta
1948-49: Sliema
1949-50: Floriana
1950-51: Floriana
1951-52: Floriana
1952-53: Floriana
1953-54: Sliema
1954-55: Floriana
1955-56: Sliema
1956-57: Sliema
1957-58: Floriana
1958-59: Valletta
1959-60: Valletta
1960-61: Hibernians
1961-62: Floriana
1962-63: Valletta
1963-64: Sliema
1964-65: Sliema
1965-66: Sliema
1966-67: Hibernians
1967-68: Floriana
1968-69: Hibernians
1969-70: Floriana
1970-71: Sliema
1971-72: Sliema
1972-73: Floriana
1973-74: Valletta
1974-75: Floriana
1975-76: Sliema
1976-77: Floriana
1977-78: Valletta
1978-79: Hibernians
1979-80: Valletta
1980-81: Hibernians
1981-82: Hibernians
1982-83: Ħamrun
1983-84: Valletta
1984-85: Rabat
1985-86: Rabat
1986-87: Ħamrun
1987-88: Ħamrun
1988-89: Sliema
1989-90: Valletta
1990-91: Ħamrun
1991-92: Valletta
1992-93: Floriana
1993-94: Hibernians
1994-95: Hibernians
1995-96: Sliema
1996-97: Valletta
1997-98: Valletta
1998-99: Valletta
1999-00: Birkirkara
2000-01: Valletta
2001-02: Hibernians
2002-03: Sliema
2003-04: Sliema
2004-05: Sliema
2005-06: Birkirkara
2006-07: Marsaxlokk
2007-08: Valletta
2008-09: Hibernians
2009-10: Birkirkara
2010-11: Valletta
2011-12: Valletta
2012-13: Birkirkara
2013-14: Valletta
2014-15: Hibernians
2015-16: Valletta