The relationship Sheffield United and the Malta Tourism Authority embarked upon in 2008, has continued to evolve and reach beyond the sponsorship it first started out as. In fact for the past years the team has returned to Malta for its annual summer training camp.
This year will see the team on our shores between the 20th and 27th of July and the ‘Blades’ Manager Danny Wilson says the management team and squad are all looking forward to putting the players through their paces when the team tours Malta.
United will make their annual trip to the Mediterranean Island on Friday 20 July and will play friendly fixtures against BOV Premier League opposition, to be confirmed during the week-long stay at the Fortina Spa Resort. Other than that the team will also take part in a community program on the islands, as has been done on every United visit.
The Blades boss believes the training camp is vital preparation for United and although the training becomes very challenging in a hotter climate than the players are used to in rainy Sheffield, Wilson sees the bigger picture of the Club’s relationship with the Island:
“It is tougher for the players because of relatively high temperatures throughout the day. I have never done a pre-season in such a different climate to Sheffield, but the players responded brilliantly last year and it is part of the Club, given the excellent relation with the island of Malta.
“It is a trip we all look forward to, even though the training tends to require more energy, in the end the benefits of the sunshine are felt all round and we’re also looking forward to meeting up with the many Sheffield United fans who are also making the trip. Everyone who joined us last year enjoyed the experience and there is no reason why it cannot be the same this time.”
United will play fixtures on the evenings of Monday 23 July and Wednesday 25 July, whilst there will be social events with travelling and Maltese based United supporters on the evenings of Tuesday 24th and Thursday 26th July.
The Charity ‘’Meet the Players’’ event on the 26th is also being open to the public, as in keeping with SUFC’s strong sense of social responsibility. The BBQ, being held at the Fortina Spa Lido, is in aid of The Richmond Foundation Malta. Tickets cost €20 for adults and €10 for children under 10 and ‘kicks off’ at 7.45pm. The mood for the evening will be set through entertainment provided by Gay Sinclair, United’s own nominated MC and singer Kristina Cassolani.
The evening will be an opportunity to get ‘up close and personal’ with the Sheffield United players, fans and guests who will all be in attendance on the night. An auction and raffle for the charity will also be held. For bookings and more information, kindly contact Mrs Bonello on 99498117 or maryrose@richmond.org.mt