The 2008-09 season for top-flight clubs wraps up this evening when Valletta and Sliema Wanderers battle each other for the last domestic honour at stake - the FA Trophy. The final, at the National Stadium, kicks off at 7.30 p.m.

Valletta, steel reeling from their failure to retain the league title, will be hell-bent to put that upset behind them and finish the season on a positive note by lifting the FA Trophy for the 12th time.

Yesterday, president Victor Sciriha lifted the fans' spirits when he announced in a club rally at the Salinos Grounds that the team will be strengthened for next season. Among the new signings will be Dutch star Jordi Cruyff, formerly of Barcelona and Manchester United.

For Sliema, the 2008-09 campaign was rather uneventful as they were never in the title race. The knock-out competition has been their only source of inspiration and victory this evening would mean a record 20th FA Trophy success.

On their way to the final, Valletta battled past fierce rivals Floriana 4-1, after a penalty shoot-out, before ousting Birkirkara 2-0 in the semi-finals.

Sliema edged past league champions Hibs 1-0 in the last eight and then needed penalties to eliminate Marsaxlokk in the semi-finals.

Valletta and Sliema have met four times in the FA Trophy final, with the Wanderers claiming the first showdown way back in 1959, a 1-0 win in a replay after the first match had ended 1-1.

However, the Citizens won the other three finals, beating the Blues 1-0 in 1964, 2-1 after extra-time in 1991 and 1-0 after a replay in 1996 following a scoreless draw.

Noel Turner is one of those who played in the final of 1996.

The Blues' skipper has little luck in this competition as he has only won it twice in his long career despite reaching the final on eight occasions. This time, however, the 36-year-old is determined to go one better.

"I have clear memories of that 1996 final," Turner told The Times.

"It was a very tight match that required a replay to decide a winner. Unfortunately for us, it was Valletta who lifted the trophy. Hopefully, this year it will be a different story. We have been focusing on this objective for a few weeks now and all the players are geared up for the occasion.

"We have a talented squad at Sliema and I firmly believe that we can win it even though we'll be facing a very strong team."

Turner knows Valletta will be all out to make up for last weekend's.

"Some may think that Valletta players will be low in morale," Turner said.

"However, we all know that they are good enough to hit back not to finish empty-handed. No doubt, they will be fired up for this final. But, Sliema too are hungry for success and we won't give in that easy."

While Turner has experienced other cup showdowns, the same cannot be said of Jamie Pace.

The Valletta midfielder will be making his first showing in the final. He said it was imperative for Valletta to end the season with victory in the FA Trophy.

"Missing out on the league title was a huge blow for us," Pace, 32, told The Times.

"We were all gutted at the end of the match against Hibs as we realised that with the potential we had we should have done much better. Second place is not good enough for Valletta.

"But now we have the chance to restore some lost pride. This honour has been missing from our club for several years now. We owe it to our fans who have been behind us the whole season."

Valletta are still unbeaten after four meetings in the Premier League against Sliema.

After two draws - 1-1 and 0-0 - the Citizens gained the upperhand in the Championship Pool with emphatic 5-1 and 3-0 victories.

Pace, however, has refused to give much importance to previous encounters against his former team.

"What happened in the league this season belongs to the past now," he said.

"Cup finals are a different matter, it's a one-off. Both teams know each other very well so there will be little surprises.

"I'm desperate for a trophy medal but to achieve that we have to produce our best football for all duration of the match. If we play to our strengths we'll be the ones to celebrate this time."

Division II/III KO final

Melita take on Sta Venera Lightnings in the final of the Div. II/III KO at the National Stadium today (kick-off: 4.45 p.m.).

The Amateurs will be bidding to cap a memorable year after winning promotion to Division One earlier this month with victory in today's final.

After topping their group in the opening phase, Melita booked their place in the final thanks to victories over Gudja (9-1) and Division Two champions Balzan (2-0).

The Lightnings also finished on top of their group and managed to reach the final after having the better of Żebbuġ Rangers (1-0) and Naxxar Lions (2-0).

FA Trophy winners

19 times - Sliema

18 - Floriana

11 - Valletta

8 - Hibernians

6 - Ħamrun

4 - Birkirkara

1 - Melita, Rabat, Gżira, Żurrieq