Former Pieta Hotspurs, Birkirkara and Malta goalkeeper Saviour Darmanin yesterday explained why he chose Vauxhall Motors of England’s northern conference league as his next club.

Addressing a news conference at the Park Hotel in Sliema, he said he had been watched by one of their scouts during the second half of a friendly where he played for Wrexham. “Originally I had a trial with Wrexham, but during that second half, not only did the team come back to score an equaliser (2-2) but I was also a protagonist having made two good saves which saved the result and made me feel more confident. It was after that match that Vauxhall Motors contacted me, at first thinking that I was on to ‘Formula One’ stuff. At Wrexham, I would have been happy, but they told me that in view of last year’s financial difficulties, they could only add to their squad of 20 some players of their own academy or some semi-professionals. I wanted something better as a security for my family and Vauxhall Motors offered me an attractive package which includes residing in Malta and travelling at weekends to play for them,” he said.

Darmanin added: “That suits me perfectly as I will be able to indulge in my profession as goalkeepers’ coach while I am in Malta. In fact, I am hoping to open a school for young goalkeepers who wish to make the grade in future. Hopefully this will start by the end of this month. But there is more than that for these young children. I believe we have more than enough talented players in Malta. But there is nowhere really where to develop it. With my contacts at the Liverpool FC Academy – I also was honoured to train their young goalkeepers while I was there – I will be able to take some children (possibly 30) for training camps every now and then. The first one is scheduled for next October and it will include six training sessions over four days. This is a unique opportunity I am offering to these young children.”

All those interested in joining Darmanin for this first training camp are to contact Exotica Tours on Tel 21 809611 or 21 809196 as soon as possible. Those attending the camp will obviously enjoy other benefits such as watching Liverpool training and even perhaps watching a League match. “I hope that in future we will have young kids making the grade and eventually being selected for a scholarship when 15 or 16 years old though they will have to stay there,” said Darmanin.

The former Pieta goalie had also been contacted by other clubs such as Blackpool, Tranmere, Wolves, Leicester and Modica of Italy’s Serie C.

He said: “When I was introduced to Vauxhall Motors, I immediately got to like them. They have a good set-up, they have excellent facilities, including a stadium with a capacity of around 10,000. They offered me an attractive package and I signed a one-year contract.”

At the start, Darmanin paid tribute to David Cluett who passed away last month.

He also thanked his sponsors – Exotica Tours, Fitgar, Eurosport and Park Hotel – as well as Pieta Hotspurs with whom he passed a good 10 years, as well as Birkirkara with whom he had an excellent four-month experience, and all the coaches from whom he hearned a lot.