When Valletta unveiled Insignia as their new shirt sponsors last summer, most of the club fans and Maltese football aficionados knew little or nothing about the company and its core business.

Fast forward 11 months.

Utter the word Insignia and the first thing that springs to mind is Valletta FC.

Indeed, Valletta’s success in recapturing their status as the aristocrats of Maltese football has gone a long way towards raising the profile of Insignia, in the process vindicating the latter’s faith in the Premier League club.

Talking to Rafael Carrascosa, the CEO of Insignia Global Cards Business, it soon became apparent that their rapport with Valletta transcends the conventional sponsorship deal where the backers fork out money in return for exposure.

“It was basically a concept of different friendship levels,” Carrascosa said of Insignia’s initial discussions with Valletta.

“Our company is settled here and our group of companies is well involved in sport, especially football.

“When we came here, through our friends, we were introduced to Valletta and we agreed to sponsor the club.

“It was back in July-August when we announced the sponsorship.

“As a company, we want to be part of the roots and traditions of the Maltese society and we immediately recognised the popularity of football here.

“Valletta FC are the symbol of a city. Football can create an emotional bond and we have certainly witnessed that during the title celebrations.

“We were standing on top of the bus and the crowd in Republic Street was immense.”

Besides their financial input, Insignia were also instrumental in luring Dutch coach Andre Paus, Georgian internationals Nukri Revishvili and Irakli Maisuradze and Brazilian ace Alan Da Silva Souza to join Valletta in January.

“We are happy, actually happier, that we could help Valletta to achieve their goal,” Carrascosa said.

“Our group of companies also comprises a sports management agency and this made it possible for us to bring a new coach and new players for Valletta in January.

“All this happened in a short period of time.

“This has been a perfect mix. Valletta have a core of good and experienced Maltese players and the new foreigners have further enhanced the squad.

Valletta FC are the symbol of a city. Football can create an emotional bond and we have certainly witnessed that during the title celebrations

“Ryan Fenech, the captain, had a fantastic game against Birkirkara. From our side, we tried to address some key positions that needed strengthening.”

The prospect of Insignia maintaining and possibly increasing their support for Valletta looks bright after the club’s championship success but talks about next season are on-going.

“We’re discussing,” Carrascosa said.

“This is what I call the moment of tension during the season as Valletta have just played a decisive league game and they are also preparing for the final of the Trophy.

“We will sit down and discuss but at the moment, there are a lot of things going on with all the celebrations.”

The backing of a prestigious company like Insignia can also improve Valletta’s chances of making progress in the Champions League, the long-standing dream of club president Victor Sciriha.

“We always thought that Valletta could have a competitive team in Europe,” the Insignia CEO observed.

“It would be a positive thing and a challenge for Maltese football to have a competitive team at European level. It would also raise the level of football here while helping Malta to become more visible.”

Insignia is a renowned high-end lifestyle management group that offers financial and luxury lifestyle management services to ultra high-net worth individuals predominantly in Europe, as well as the US and Asia.

As part of their sponsorship deal with the newly-crowned champions, Insignia have also issued personalised Valletta FC credit cards.

“The Valletta FC credit card was a natural extension to our sponsorship agreement,” Carrascosa said.

“The cards have been done nicely and the video advert was also produced in a professional way, featuring the participation of Valletta players and fans.

“It captures the spirit and passion of the club.

“We’re happy with how things are going.

“The support for Valletta on Saturday was incredible. I urge the fans to attend the FA Trophy final.

“I also encourage them to apply for a Valletta FC credit card as the club receives a contribution. It’s a little thing but it helps tremendously.”

Although Sciriha has expressed his desire to retain coach Paus and the likes of Maisuradze and Da Silva Souza, he also acknowledged that, without Insignia’s support, Valletta can’t afford to keep them.

“With regards to the players, it doesn’t depend only on us,” Carrascosa said.

“We want to see a strong Valletta team, whether it’s with these players or different ones.”

Valletta are now favourites to make it a league and cup double but Carrascosa urged the team not to underestimate Sliema Wanderers, their opponents in the U*Bet FA Trophy final.

“We have a chance to win the double but we must respect the opponents,” Carrascosa said.

“We have to be very careful not to put the cup in the box before it’s won.

“Valletta have a great chance but only if they play with the same confidence and belief as last Saturday.”