Mosta FC outline their objectives

First Division side Mosta FC will be aiming for promotion to the Premier League as the club celebrates its 75th anniversary. The club’s plans and objectives were revealed during a press conference at The George Hotel in Paceville on Saturday.

Mosta FC president George Galea said the squad has been strengthened this summer with the addition of more experienced players, at the same giving enough space to the younger players in squad. He said that after a year of transition, the club is now aiming to challenge for promotion and after reaching this objective, Mosta FC will be aiming to stay in the top division.

Simon Shead, Quincy Bregman, Kenneth Spiteri, William Camenzuli and Nikola Bogdanovic are the new players in the squad while Ryan Deguara returned to the club after being on loan with Qormi.

Galea admitted the club faced several obstacles in the beginning but now they are moving on the right track. He appealed for more support, both in terms of support during matches and also in terms of financial support from Mosta businessmen.

Following the completion of the Charles Abela Memorial Stadium, the club will be shifting its focus to the 5-a-side pitch. He said that the Malta Football Association will be financing the resurfacing of the pitch and the fencing. The Mosta FC president said that if this pitch had to function properly, it would give the club a financial boost.

He went on to say that the club is now working hand in hand with the nursery which is now being led by Tony Meli.

Pricemark will be the club’s official sponsor. Speaking on behalf of the company, Jeremy Muscat said they believed in the club’s plans and are proud to support Mosta FC in trying to achieve their objectives.

Muscat presented coach Oliver Spiteri with the new Mosta FC blue and white striped shirt.

Oliver Spiteri said that after several changes in the squad following his appointment last season, the hardest task was that of retaining those players who were targets for other clubs. In the transfer market, the club aimed to sign those players which they really needed.

The squad includes twelve club products and thirteen players who played at international level – three Under-21 internationals, five with the Regions Cup team, one Under-19 international, three foreigners, two former international players and four former Under-21 internationals.

The Mosta coach said the team still needs to find consistency although the players are now showing greater fighting spirit. Spiteri believes the team will ultimately achieve its targets.

Nursery administrator Tony Meli said the nursery is attracting the interest of national players at youth level who are willing to join the club. The trend is therefore changing since in past such players would usually leave Mosta to join other clubs.

Meli said the nursery is working hard to instill a winning mentality in the young players.

The nursery has fourteen age-groups including the Under-19 side and women. In all age-groups, the Mosta teams are playing in the top division/section.

Tony Meli revealed that the nursery requested a permission to organise an Under-13 league which will be played over a whole season rather than tournaments which are held over a weekend or during holidays.

Nursery head-coach Ramon Zammit said that with 320 young players in the nursery, Mosta FC could look ahead with optimism. He said that good facilities, good reputation and dedication is what is attracting young players to the nursery.

Mosta Tournaments director Joe Muscat announced that as part of the activities marking the 75th anniversary, the club will be organising a one-day christmas triangular tournament.

Mosta Mayor Dr Paul Chetcuti Caruana also addressed the press conference, speaking mainly about the localc council’s initiatives with regards to sports.