Sciriha steps down as Valletta FC president

New City chief Alexander Fenech announces plans to create sustainable club

Victor Sciriha has decided to step down as president of Valletta FC, the Premier League club announced during the club’s annual general meeting on Monday.

Alexander Fenech, who held the role of vice-president, has now been appointed as the club’s new president.

Sciriha has been at the helm of Valletta FC since 2013 and since then he has established himself as one of the most successful presidents at the club of the modern era.

In fact, during his charge Valletta FC have won seven league titles, three FA Trophies, the Super Cup seven times, three Euro Challenge Cup, the 100 League Anniversary Cup and the pre-season Betfair Cup when Valletta beat Italian giants Juventus on penalties.

“Valletta FC president Victor Sciriha has decided to step down as club president.

“Our president feels that this is the right time for him to retire from the game and leave the club administration into the hands of younger people who have the energy and enthusiasm to take the club to the next level.

“During his time in charge, Valletta FC has enjoyed a golden period in terms of title success as the team won seven league titles, 3 FA Trophies, the Super Cup seven times, the Euro Challenge Cup three times, the 100 League Anniversary Cup and the Betfair Cup where we beat Serie A giants Juventus on penalties.

“Valletta FC would like to put on record that we are eternal grateful for all the work carried out by Mr Sciriha and wish him all the best for the future.”

Contacted by the Times of Malta, Sciriha said that he feels that this is the right time for him to step aside and leave the club into the hands of people who have the drive and the ambition to help the club take another step forward.

“Every cycle comes to an end and I feel that this is the right time for me to step down as president of Valletta FC,” Sciriha told the Times of Malta.

“I have only good memories with the club as I managed to win every trophy that we could possibly wein. Now it’s the time to leave the reins of the club to other people who I am sure will be more than capable of helping the club take the next step.

“It has already been announced that Valletta FC are planning to transform itself into a private company. I want to make it clear that although I’m leaving my role as president, I will still be involved in the newly-formed company but when it comes to the football matters there will be other people who will make the decisions.”

Asked to describe his spell at Valletta FC, Sciriha said that it was the best time of his life.

“Being the president of Valletta FC has been the best time of my life,” Sciriha said.

“We have won so many honours and the thing that gives me so much pride is the fact that the fans have always been behind me in every decision I took.

“I was blessed to be at the helm of many committees that were formed by very capable people who have helped me a lot to keep the club at the top. But now it’s time to step aside.

“As I said, I will continue to help the club.

“After so many years it’s very hard to just walk away from a club that has been so important in my life. I am sure that the people who will take over have the knowledge and ambition help the club move forward.

“I had people like Alexander Fenech who has the experience and drive to put the club on even stronger foundations and I will always be there for him.”

Sciriha said that the Valletta supporter will always remain close to his heart.

“The Valletta supporters have been a very important component of our success over the years,” Sciriha said.

“As club administrator we always knew that they were always behind us and I am sure that will never change. Everything I did at the club, I made it for them and their warmth and love was my motivation to keep the club at the top.

“I would like to thank Noel Cachia and his colleagues at the supporters club for the huge help they always provided to the club. I am also grateful to each and every person that formed part of our committee for the last 13 years who worked hard for the good of our club.”

Meanwhile, during the meeting, new president Alexander Fenech said that his first move will be to strengthen the organization of the club at various levels and in various segments in order to ensure that the club has a strong and sustainable future.

Fenech laid out his plans concerning the long-term financing of the Club, by announcing the strategic partnership with the VBL Group for the commercialization of its various assets.  

The VBL Group is known as the Valletta real estate specialists, a firm with a high level of sensitivity towards Valletta’s built heritage, its culture, and its community.