Lija Athletic F.C. presented their new signings in a press conference which was held at the-newly upgraded facilities in the Lija Football Ground.

Club President, Mr. Charles J. Scerri made it clear that this season all Clubs in the BOV First Division will offer a very stiff challenge to make the league one of the most balanced and interesting ever, as all teams made important achievements during the Summer Transfer window, that just closed last week.

The President continued by saying that Lija Athletic’s main objective this season, is to collect as many points possible during the First phase of the league, so that at the latter stages the club would be in a comfortable position to seriously believe in the possibility of achieving the fourth promotion to the Premier League in fifteen years.

Marco Gerada, who was confirmed as Lija Athletic F.C. Head coach for the third year running, praised the committee for their hard work and enthusiasm put forward during the hot summer months to make up a competitive team upon his own requests in introducing new players in the different departments that compose the football team, according to the needs of the Lija team.

Gerada said that it is not an easy task to aspire for promotion, but is very confident in his squad, and thus looks forward to the new season with optimism. His forecast of this season’s First Division campaign is one that will be full of surprises and exciting matches. There will be a handful of teams challenging for promotion, according to Lija A. coach Marco Gerada.

This summer Lija secured the services of goalkeeper Joswel Caruana and Ben Camilleri (on loan from Hibernians), Benoir Fenech (St. George’s), Gilbert Camilleri (on loan from Naxxar Lions), Thomas Caruana (on loan from St. Patrick), Evano Briffa (ex-?amrun Spartans), Clayton Giordimaina (ex-G?ira United), as well as three new foreigners: Nigerian, Abdullahi Adeshina Ige who was involved in a permanent transfer move from Gozitan club S.K. Victoria Wanderers, Brazilian defender Renato Conceição, who played for Balzan Youths last season, and Erjon Beu was was loaned from Attard.

Club PRO Jeremy Dalli remarked that the club is keeping close ties with the local media and the Lija supporters both local and overseas, to bring the latest news from time to time about the Club.

The Club is also re-lauching its website www.lijaathletic.com after it was extensively revamped during the summer months. The website features latest news, club’s fixtures & results and tables, including the Youth League and Nursery categories, club history, club premises & facilities, latest info about the Lija Nursery, a Gallery, Guestbook for the supporters and shall be linked to the various local football club websites.

Meanwhile president Charles Scerri thanked the sponsors, namely Falzon Group of Companies, who are the Club’s Main sponsors, as well as Gardenia Stores of Birkirkara and Naxxar, LightHouse Communications, Esso Ltd., Point Break Restaurant, Waterline, WP Ltd., and EuroSport who are the club’s kit sponsors for Season 2011/2012. Without the valuable financial aid and otherwise given by these sponsors, the Club would not be able to function and achieve its targets year in year out.

Attached photos: © Samuel M. Cutajar