Valletta FC are moving to become a public company – that is the next dream of club president Victor Sciriha who announced yesterday that the club was working on such a venture.

Sciriha told a news conference that he himself will be proposing a motion at the next annual general conference to have such a move approved, something which should put Valletta on a sound financial track.

He said it was his dream to see the club being self-financed in future. “I do not want the club to be dependent on Victor Sciriha. I wish that when it is the moment for me to leave the club, it will be self-financed. I am sure this can be done and I am positive it will be done,” he said.

Sciriha said that the club was now looking forward to its participation in the Champions League. “With the talent we’ve got at present and with a few touches here and there, I am sure we will be able to advance further than we did in the past,” he said.

The City president made it clear there will only be some changes among the foreigners. “We already have reached agreement with some class players and can also reveal today that veteran skipper Gilbert Agius has signed another one-year contract,” he added.

Sciriha said the local players will all be retained so long as they wanted to stay at Valletta FC.

The City boss said he was pleased to have brought Valletta FC to this stage. “Four years ago, when I took over, the club was a failure. There were serious problems, but we worked hard together with the Supporters Club and now I can say that we are the most financially healthy club on this island. It is probably only at Valletta that players are paid their salaries at the end of each month without fail.

“At present we have reached a semi-professional level. But now we have to look forward. There are still some fields we have to work upon to further improve the structures of the club,” he said.

Sciriha went on to say that it was very important for the club to keep its unbeaten record. “Tomorrow’s match against Floriana is very important for us. Not only we are facing our great rivals, but we also intend to win the league – and the Trophy – unbeaten,” he added.

He also revealed that Valletta FC will have a new team manager next season – a former Valletta FC player, whose name, however, was not revealed.

He also thanked coach Jesmond Zerafa for achieving the target set out before the season. He added: “It was great to put him – a former Valletta player and born in Valletta - at the helm. He made a big difference and it was to his merit that the team remained united.”

Earlier Executive vice president Paul Spiteri announced the 20th title celebrations’ programme which starts next Friday with a variety programme in front of the Law Courts, starting at 8pm.

On Saturday 7 May, a club delegation will visit Puttinu Cares to offer a donation. At 1pm there will be a carcade to Ta’ Qali where at 2pm there will be an entertainment programme lasting till a few minutes before the start of the final match against Tarxien. At the end of the match, there will be the presentation of the League Cup and that will be followed by celebrations in Republic Street from 7.30pm onwards.

Another highlight of the programme will be the now customary ‘funeral’ to be held on Monday 9 May.

Another important item will be a football match between former players of the club on Wednesday 11 May at 7.30pm at the Salinos Ground. All those interested (even if not playing) are to contract either Eddie Vella (Mob. 99803891) or Joe Micallef (Mob. 99429955) as soon as possible, but before the end of next week.

On Thursday 12 May, there will be a festival from the Valletta Nursery at the Salinos Ground.

On Saturday or Sunday 14 or 15 May there will be the FA Trophy semifinal against Tarxien Rainbows. On Saturday 21 May there will be a party at Browns at the Valletta Waterfront. The following day, there will be a Thanksgiving Mass at the St Augustine Parish Church.

The celebrations will come to an end on 28 May with another party at Heat.