Valletta FC were made to appoint a new man at the helm last night after long-time president Joe Caruana Curran decided to break an 18-year relationship and step down from the committee.
The club's new administration assembled for the first time yesterday. Last week the club held its annual general meeting during which ten members were elected to serve for season 2003/04.
Among those elected was Caruana Curran, popularly known in the local football circles as is-Sur Joe. He suffered an unexpected dip in the ballot and was elected with the third best poll behind Charles Camilleri and Anthony Caruana.
Last night, Camilleri was named as the club's new president. Paul Spiteri retained his post as vice president, Anton Abela is again secretary and the treasurer is Mario Muscat.
Caruana Curran did not attend yesterday's meeting. He informed the club of his decision through correspondence.
Contacted yesterday, he refrained from giving any comments but said his move was not a hasty one as he had reflected profoundly before reaching a decision.
During his tenure as club president, Caruana Curran, who succeeded Dr Manwel Bonnici, became a popular figure in the capital city and was even elected to serve in the Local Council in the 1990s.
He lifted the team to unprecedented heights which culminated in a clean sweep of honours in 1996-97 and 2000-01. Since 1985, Valletta claimed no fewer than 31 titles, including the coveted Centenary Cup at the expense of rivals Floriana in 2000.
If Caruana Curran's resignation is confirmed, Joseph Sciberras, who was 11th in last week's poll, will fill the void in the committee.
On their part, Premier League club Hamrun Spartans are finding it difficult to elect a new committee for the coming season. Until yesterday, there were no new candidates to contest the election.
Hamrun, who just managed to save their status after playing dangerously in the Relegation Pool last season, held their annual general meeting last week. There was a call for new nominations with the closing date set for today.
However, a source close to the club yesterday told The Times that the response was a negative one as no-one had presented their candidature so far.
Moreover, Dr David Farrugia Sacco, the outgoing president, has already informed the club that he does not intend to seek a re-election for another term.
Dr Farrugia Sacco was the club's third president last season, after Victor Tedesco and Edgar Bonnici Cachia, as the club was trying to bring some stability in its administration.
Hamrun will also have to recruit a new coach after Atanas Marinov parted ways with the club and moved to Valletta.
Meanwhile, Floriana FC, another club which struggled in the Relegation Pool last season, could also face the possibility of having to elect a new president during Saturday's AGM at the Vilhena Band Club.
Contacted yesterday, Dr Hugh Peralta, president for the past two years, said he was still undecided whether to seek a re-election or not this weekend.
"At the moment, I'm not sure what will happen by next weekend," he said.
Hibernians FC do not seem to have the same problems as their three other counterparts from the Premier League.
Today, the Paola club's executive committee will be holding a reception to honour their president Tony Bezzina at the Corradino Sports Pavilion. Bezzina was first elected president 25 years ago... and there seems to be no intention of him quitting his post.