Floriana president appeals for greater support

Floriana president Johann Said appealed for greater support by Floriana fans while addressing the media during the presentation of the club’s latest signings – Daniel Nwoke, Dragomir Draganov and Thomas Paris. The presentation was held at the club premises in Floriana.

Secretary Matthew Paris said the club’s objective this summer was that of putting Floriana FC back where they deserve in the Premier League table. He said that the feeling is that they are achieving this target as under the guidance of the technical staff which is made up of technical director Todor Raykov, coach Michael Woods and goalkeepers’ coach Roger Camilleri, the Greens built a good squad which is currently second in the table.

Paris praised the work done by the technical staff and said the results so far are a clear proof of their sterling work.

“In the FA Trophy, we won the first of four ‘finals’,” said the Floriana secretary stressing the importance of the competition as this could lead the club back to European football after an eleven-year absence.

Matthew Paris said that the committee’s task is not only that of restructuring the squad but also that of putting the club’s future on solid foundations. In fact, he pointed out that the club is aiming to turning the cradle of football in Floriana – “Ix-Xaghra” to one of the regional stadiums in which the Malta Football Association will be hosting competitive matches. Talks with the association are underway.

Floriana FC president Johann Said started his speech by welcoming the club’s three new signings. He thanked the members of the squad for showing faith and respect towards the committee and promised the committee will show them respect.

He thanked the increasing number fans for their support and urged all Floriana supporters to follow the team at Ta’ Qali. In fact, when asked whether there will be further signings by the club, Said said that he hopes the club’s fourth ‘signing’ will be the Floriana supporters as he is willing to see a packed Floriana side at the stadium.

The possibility of Etienne Barbara joining the club is still alive after the player filed a request to the association to change his status to amateur. A verbal agreement between Floriana and Barbara has already been reached.

Bulgarian midfielder Kiril Dzhorov will be retained despite the fact that an injury ruled him out for a number of months. The club stressed that the player will be staying with the club and are now looking forward to having him back in squad for the game against Tarxien.

In a short message, technical director Todor Raykov said that he will do all the talking at the end of the season appealing for the team, committee and supporters to stay united.