Ħamrun Spartans were one of the revelations of season 2007-08. Back in the top flight after securing promotion as Division One champions in 2006-07, the Spartans not only managed to achieve their pre-set objective of a place in the Championship Pool but they surpassed expectations by reaching the final of the FA Trophy, where they lost 2-1 to Birkirkara.
Buoyed by these positive results as well as a significant improvement in their financial health, the Spartans have set their sights on a top-four finish and qualification for a UEFA club competition this season.
To boost their chances of reaching their goal, the Spartans have been very active in the transfer market, bringing in five new players namely Brazilian duo Ronaldo Paulista and Alex Noronha, Serbian Zoran Levniac and Manolito Micallef, both formerly of Floriana, and Dylan Kokavessis, who was signed from Pietà Hotspurs.
Speaking at the presentation of the new signings, held at the showroom of Immagine Casa, the club's new sponsors, president Gaetano Cuschieri said the committee had worked diligently throughout the summer to strengthen the squad.
"I have been president of the club for three years and during this period, the members of the committee have worked very hard to restore Ħamrun Spartans' reputation as one of the leading teams in the country," Cuschieri said.
"Last season, we surprised a few people by securing a place in the Championship Pool and made it to the final of the FA Trophy. Our performance last year has spurred us to aim for higher goals and this season, our ambition is for the team to qualify for European football. That would be a fitting end to what could be my final year as Ħamrun president."
Cuschieri said next week the club will set another milestone in its "glorious history" with the inauguration of the new artificial pitch at the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
"The turf project is another notable achievement for the club," Cuschieri remarked.
"Many people thought that this project would remain on the shelf when we announced plans to replace the natural turf with an artificial pitch last year. But that dream has become reality as on Monday, we will unveil the new FIFA 2-Star pitch. The project has expanded the ground's pitch area to FIFA standards and this means that our ground will be fit to host international matches."
On his part, Ħamrun coach Marco Gerada said he was pleased with the squad he has at his disposal this season.
"Last season, very few people believed that a team like Ħamrun, who had just been promoted to the Premier League, could qualify for the Championship Pool," Gerada said.
"Although the task was not easy, we managed to do it and with a little more luck, we could also have won the FA Trophy.
"This time, we have a more ambitious objective in front of us. Breaking into the top four of the Premier League is very difficult and to reach that level, we needed to bring in quality players.
"From what I've seen so far, I think the squad has improved significantly from last season and the three new foreign players should give the team an extra dimension. However, it's important that we keep our feet on the ground and continue to work hard."
Daniel Sullivan, the club's vice-president, revealed that the Spartans are still hopeful of signing more players.
"We are quite pleased with the group of players we have but this does not mean that we will not try to sign new players until the transfer window closes on August 31," Sullivan said.
"At present, we are in talks with two other players but things are still premature to comment any further.
"Our objectives are quite clear. The aim is to build on our achievements last season. I'm pleased to say that from a financial point of view, the club has put its past problems behind and we are looking forward to what promises to be a bright future for Ħamrun."