Chesterfield FC agree partnership with Maltese FA
Chief executive John Croot and club chairman Ashley Kirk headed over to Malta for a few days at the end of March after receiving an invitation from Malta FA president Bjorn Vassallo on the back of his visit to the SMH Group Stadium last year.
The pair were able to see the UEFA Nations League qualifier between Malta and Luxembourg, and also spent time with the MFA discussing future agreements that would see both parties benefit in different areas. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed, focusing on football development, knowledge exchange and international co-operation.
Going forward, both organisations hope to see the benefit of collaborative efforts in coaching courses, sports science, sports medicine, education, recruitment, walking football and community engagement.
Through the partnership, there is scope to build on the youth player development, with Maltese duo Gunner Elliott and James Sissons both currently playing for the Spireites at youth and senior level respectively.
Reflecting on the visit, Ashley Kirk said: “We were looked after very well by Bjorn and his team. They were very generous with their time and showed us around the facilities that they’ve been able to build with support from FIFA and UEFA, which are outstanding. They’ve got some fantastic pitches, a lovely stadium, and the facilities at the training centre are excellent.
“Whilst we were over there we were trying to cement and put in place an agreement between the club and the MFA for sharing of information, sharing of knowledge, sharing of coaching and potentially looking at trips between ourselves over to Malta and bringing Maltese teams/coaches over here as well.
“Danny Webb played over there as well, briefly, so there are a range of connections. VisitMalta have become involved as well as a commercial partner of the club and we’ve obviously run the competition that was won by a family who are going over there for their holiday.
“If we can help promote Malta as a destination for people from this area, they’re pleased with it, but if we can also help in terms of developing their junior and and senior players and giving them exposure to English football, that’s something that we can do for them too.
“And there’s obviously lots that the Maltese FA and VisitMalta can do for the club as well, so we’re hoping it’s a win-win situation.”
Both parties share a commitment to strengthen football development and build on an already strong relationship between the two organisations.
