Press conference by Birkirkara F.C.

by Ayrton Galea - 26th August 2011

Birkirkara FC today held a press conference at the Teamsport outlet in Iklin, where they presented their new signings for the current transfer campaign.

Peter Busutill opened the conference by thanking the members of media for their support throughout the previous season while hoping that these meetings with the Press will become more frequent.

Ms. Giorgio on behalf of Mc Donald's Malta said it was an honour to confirm that contract with Birkirkara Football Club had been renewed. She continued by saying that Mc Donald's are the main sponsors of one of the top football clubs in Malta while she mentioned the fact the Mc Donald's have been involved for more than 25 years in the world of football. In her closing words she wished the Club a splendid season to be amongst the main challengers once again.

Head Coach Mr. Patrick Curmi started his speech by saying that this was his first experience to be coaching a top club like Birkirkara FC. Then, he talked about the transfer market so far which he described as a positive one.

He continued by saying that the first experience of the current squad was in the Euro Cup. Although the squad failed to clinch this cup, the performance, after just the very first few days of training together, was quite a positives one. Then he mentioned the Europa League adventure where the team had very two positives performances but failed to qualify for the next round.

Regarding the squad's targets for this season, the coach believes that the first target that must be reached is to qualify to the Championship Pool, because you cannot win the Championship or finish in a top spot, without first making it to the top six.

Finally it was the turn of the Club's President Mr. Joe Zammit, to deliver his speech during this press conference.

He opened by thanking everyone for attending and explained that the purpose of this press conference was to present the new signings and to give other information about the current players' contracts. He also said that he is proud and emotional that he is talking as the President of the Club for the very first time.

Mr. Zammit continued by saying that it is not an easy position to be the president of a club like Birkirkara FC. The Club is established as a main one locally and it is the club that has won the most honours in the last ten years. He hopes and believes that the Club will continue with this good run of honours and success.

He went on by thanking the other Club administrators for their help and the club members who showed faith in this administrative group with their votes in the last annual general meeting.

The Club's President said that work began from the very first day after the AGM. The first major challenge was the Europa League Preliminary round, also in view that last season's foreigners had all been released.

He continued by saying that the main problem that the club had at the time was the lack of time. Until now only three foreigners are confirmed, that is Jorge Mora, Rodrigo Pereira and Moises Avila Perez. He believes that if the Club had the opportunity to find these players before the Europa League matches, Birkirkara could even advanced to the 2nd qualifying round.

Mr Zammit said that the day after they were elected as the new administrators, in a meeting with the Coach it was agreed that the aim was for the team to be more competitive, and that there was the need to strengthen the defence and attack departments. It was believed that Birkirkara's midfield is a strong one and with young talent. However Gareth Sciberras was still signed on, as it was felt that this player can provide more choice and experience.

Mr Zammit continued by present the other new signings and gave some details about their past experience and their contracts. The players presented were Terence Vella, Leighton Grech, Jorge Mora, Gareth Sciberras, Rodrigo Pereira and Moises Avila Perez.

Since the Club had some players who had their contracts expired there were reviewed and renewed. The players who renewed their contracts were Joseph Zerafa and Paul Fenech. The latter will be the new captain after the retirement from the Premier League of Michael Galea.

There were also major changes in the Technical Staff. Mr. Patrick Curmi, who had spent these last years with Marsaxlokk FC, was appointed as the new Head Coach. Mr. Peter Pullicino who was also formerly with Marsaxlok FC, was appointed as Assistant Coach. The role of Goalkeepers' Coach was given to Mr. Roderick Agius. Also forming part of the technical team there is now Mario Gatt, who is also a committee member.

Mr. Joe Zammit continued by saying that he believes that in these last two months the administrators that are leading the Club had done a good job, which was the result of a long number of hours of work. He said that the administrators believe that a good improvement to the squad was made with the acquisition of new players. Hhe hopes that the Club will be, like it was in the last fifteen years, a protagonists of the Maltese Championship.

He concludes by thanking all the previous committee members of the last fifteen years and former players who joined other clubs. He also specifically thanked former Club President Mr Victor Zammit for setting the foundations of a strong Club. He made a special reference to a player who has served the club for fourteen years - Michael Galea. He believes that without doubt this was a biggest loss of the Club for this period because his football skills and character traits are not easy to replace. He stated that the committee tried everything in its power to convince Michael to stay with the Club but he could not be convinced as he was steadfast in his decision to retire from Premier League football.

In conclusion, Mr Joe Zammit wished the best to the new players who have joined the team, and as well to all those who were confirmed to part of the team for this season. He reiterated his wish that our team will be a main protagonist in the league and that it will participate for the sixteenth consecutive time in the UEFA competitions.

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