#DareToDream

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When we look back we can all feel proud by what has been achieved both on and off the pitch.

On the pitch we’ve won the league after decades of drought … off the pitch we’ve built an efficient organization made up of more than 120 individuals who contributed and helped the club reach unprecedented levels of management. Our #strongertogether was never so meaningful and significant!!!

Albeit all this, like any good organization, we must always look forward and deliver what has been achieved to the annals of history… what counts is the present and the future…

However considering what we were able to achieve together in such a short period, surely allows us to dream of an even better future full of results and new ideas and innovative firsts in Maltese Football…

With this courage and belief it is therefore legitimate for ALL HAMRUN to dream… and thus our new hashtag for the coming season 2021/2022

Marcel Bonnici (CEO)
#daretodream

Two further signings as Hamrun Spartans bolster squad

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Hamrun Spartans have significantly bolstered their squad in their bid to retain the Premier League title this coming season.

Throughout the past week, the Club announced two major signings, including Malta international goalkeeper Henry Bonello and Nigerian striker Franklin Sasere.

Henry Bonello joins the Spartans following his four-season stay at Valletta, where he took his Premier League tally to five championships. He also defended the National Team’s goalposts 27 times playing a crucial role in the recent string of positive results registered by the Maltese team.

Bonello is joined  by Nigerian striker Franklin Sasere who will be returning with the Malta Champions on loan for a second successive season. He joins the team from Swiss Super League squad FC Lugano. Sasere was the most profilic player in the title-winning Spartans squad, netting 16 goals in 23 matches, an impressive contribution during his first season in Malta.

Although the 23-year old striker was in the upcoming season’s plans for the Swiss side, having already featured in the team’s pre-season friendlies, even scoring a hat-trick in one of the matches, Hamrun Spartans continued with their efforts to lure the strong striker back to Malta.

The two signings join Estonian international defender Nikita Baranov who was the first post-season signing for the Spartans.

2021-2022 Membership Campaign launched

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Fresh from securing the Eighth Premier League in its history, Hamrun Spartans FC has launched its membership campaign for the upcoming season.

For the first time in its history, the club is offering a number of different packages to its loyal supporters. These packages target Red and Black fans of all ages, including toddlers, younger children, teenagers and adults. These packages include various gifts and exclusive offerings ensuring value-for-money alongside the commitment of tying one’s name to the fortunes of the club during the upcoming season.

Speaking during the presentation of the league trophy, both Club President, Mr Joseph Portelli and Club Administrator, Mr Marcel Bonnici, said that despite the setback of the UEFA and CAS decisions, the club will continue to work hard to strengthen both the administrative and the technical foundations, but in doing so the support of its loyal fan base was of more than ever crucial.

Supports can secure or renew their membership at the newly inaugurated Merchandise shop in St Joseph High Road, Ħamrun, or through the website via the link: Store

Ħamrun Spartans finally receive Premier League trophy

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After what was probably one of the longest delays in Maltese football history, Ħamrun Spartans – players, technical staff, committee members and its dedicated and passionate fan base were finally able to get their hands on the coveted Premier League trophy, won for the eight time in the Club’s history.

In a spectacular ceremony, a first of its kind, held at the Victor Tedesco Stadium, MFA President Bjorn Vassallo handed the trophy to club captain Manuel Bartolo, with his teammates joining in for a well-deserved celebration.

The Spartans had concluded the previous season five points clear of nearest-rivals Hibernians, having beaten the same Paola outfit in the very last match played by the team prior to the season being brought to an abrupt end. During the previous weeks, they has also beaten Gżira and Birkirkara, the other teams in top positions, confirming their dominance in the league. The Spartans lost just one of their games during last season.

Club appeals UEFA decision at CAS

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The club confirms that it has instituted proceedings against its exclusion from the new season’s UEFA Champions League at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

This decision follows UEFA’s decision to reject the appeal launched against the one-year exclusion relating to a situation taking place more than eight years ago.

Club Administrator Marcel Bonnici said the club was positive that justice would prevail, calling on members to express their support the club at this challenging moment.

Spartans in one-week training camp in Austria

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Ħamrun Spartans continued their pre-season preparations with a week-long training camp in Windischgarsten, Austria under the directions of coach Mark Buttigieg, assisted by Stefan Sultana. During these sessions in the cooler Austrian climate, the Spartans worked hard to improve their fitness levels, match strategies and team bonding in view of the upcoming seasonal commitments.

During their stay, the Spartans played two friendly matches, against regional league side Union Gurten and Second Division side SK Vorwarts Steyr. New signing Nikita Baranov made his debut for the Reds.

In the first encounter, the two teams shared the spoils, with Dodo grabbing the equaliser. In the second match, the Cape Verde player was on target again, together with defender Darren Borg, as the Reds earned a prestigious 2-1 victory.

At the end of the training camp, Hamrun coach Mark Buttigieg said: “this was a very ueseful training camp, which has certainly strengthened the bond between the members of the squad. I am sure that we will be reaping the benefits of this training camp in the future”.

Hamrun Spartans announce first signing of season

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Estonian international defender Nikita Baranov is the first signing for the Premier League Champions for the upcoming 2021/2022 season.

The 28-year-old centre back has been capped 43 times by his country and last played in the Cypriot Premier League with Karmiotissa.

The 1.84m defender will certainly bolster further an already strong Spartans’ backline – the team having conceded the lowest amount of goals among all Premier League teams (20, joint with Hibernians FC) in 23 matches.

The Estonian international has a vast international experience, having not only represented his country in World Cup qualification matches but also played in a number of European leagues, including Norway with Kristiansund and Bulgaria with PFC Beroe Stara Zagora. He had also represented his country at youth level.

AC Milan President congratulates Hamrun S. for winning title

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AC Milan President Dr Paolo Scaroni has personally congratulated Hamrun Spartans on the occasion of the Club’s eight Premier League title in a personalised letter addressed to President Joseph Portelli.

Scaroni wrote that he was expressing his congratulations on behalf of all the AC Milan family.

Subsequently, Mr Portelli reciprocated this gesture, congratulating Scaroni and Milan for their qualification in next season’s Champions League while recalling the common factors between the two glorious clubs, the famous red and black jerseys as well as the experience of current Milan Technical Director Paolo Maldini’s son who enjoyed a stint with the Hamrun club back in 2016/7.

Hamrun players dominate MFPA Award Nominees

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Hamrun Spartans FC players dominate this year’s nominations for the annual Malta Football Players Association awards.

No less than eleven players from the Premier League winning team feature in the MFPA’s Best XI nominees. These nominations, reflecting a potential starting eleven, are testament to the talent playing with the Hamrun team and also the consistency shown throughout the season, during which the Spartans lost just one game.

The nominated players feature goalkeeper Emmanuel Bartolo, defenders Juan Carlos Corbolan, Karl Micallef, Darko Gojkovic and Elkin Serrano Valero, midfielders Matthew Guillaumier, Emerson Marcelina and Pedrag Djordjevic and strikers Joseph Mbong, Franklin Sasere and Ailton Soares (Dodo).

The winners will be voted by fellow players member of the MFPA.

Hamrun Spartans hold Annual General Meeting

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Hamrun Spartans FC held its Annual General Meeting during which the present Committee headed by Mr Joseph Portelli was confirmed for another season.

The President of the Club, Mr Joseph Portelli addressed members providing his perspectives on the season coming to an end and the Club’s targets for the upcoming season.

Mr Portelli expressed his satisfaction that the first season at the helm of the Club produced results which went beyond expectations, particularly the winning of the eighth league title for the Spartans. He added that despite the current challenges related to the Club’s European campaign, the Committee remained steadfast in its commitment to strengthen the squad in order to mount another strong challenge in the upcoming Premier League season.  Aiming to strengthen the unity within the squad, the team will be leaving this weekend for a three-week training camp in Austria.

Referring to the current dispute with UEFA, Portelli said that the Club is obviously disappointed, but not completely surprised, at the outcome of the UEFA decision, and will be challenging the European organisation’s decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport over the coming days.

Portelli also updated members on the stadium redevelopment project. He explained that the Club is moving forward with its plans, for which discussions are underway with relevant stakeholders.

The AGM was also addressed by Club CEO Mr Marcel Bonnici who shared details on the important reforms carried out over the past months aimed at strengthening the administrative structure of the Club. Most importantly, these including the setting up of a number of sub-Committees responsible for various issues such as public relations and ground management among others. The Club has also established a Good Governance, Ethics and Disciplinary Board, a first in the Maltese islands.