Ħamrun Spartans will have to elect a new president after Daniel Sullivan announced his resignation yesterday.

Sullivan, who succeeded Gejtu Cuschieri at the helm of the Spartans last summer, told the club's annual general meeting that he will not continue as president.

Contacted by The Times, Sullivan cited personal reasons for his decision to stand down only one year after being given a three-year mandate by members to lead the Premier League club.

"I've decided to step aside for personal reasons," Sullivan, who promised to remain close to the club, said.

The Spartans had just been relegated from the BOV Premier League when Sullivan took over last year but the demotion of Vittoriosa Stars and Marsaxlokk for match-fixing propelled Ħamrun back into the top flight in September.

After a tentative start, Ħamrun's results began to improve and the team went on to secure their place in the Premier League with some matches to spare. They also reached the semi-finals of the FA Trophy where they lost to eventual winners Valletta on penalties.

The election of the Spartans' committee for next season will take place on Thursday but it is believed that the current officials are in advanced discussions with a number of players to extend their contracts with the club.

Veteran midfielder Rupert Mangion has agreed a new two-year deal and Czech defender Martin Hrubsa has renewed his contract by another year.

The Spartans are also determined to retain Ryan Fenech after the Malta midfielder spent last season on loan with Sliema Wanderers.

Roderick Fenech, Ryan's younger brother, is also in talks with Ħamrun to sign a new deal.

Meanwhile, Floriana FC yesterday held their first annual general meeting at their new premises. On Sunday, the Greens staged the first part of their meeting at their old home, the Vilhena Band Club.

Eleven members were elected to the Floriana FC committee yesterday. Jeffrey Farrugia, the former Floriana and Birkirkara defender, and Johan Said are among the new faces in the club's administration.

Joe Cauchi, the driving force behind Floriana in the last few years, and Dione Borg, the club's secretary, have been re-elected.

The other members are Peter Agius, John Borg, Alex Cassar, Matthew Paris, Daniel Cordina, Matthew Carbone and Anthony Stellini.

Valletta FC also held their annual general meeting yesterday morning.

Voting for the election of the committee members, excluding the president, treasurer and secretary whose term expires next year, opened yesterday and concludes this evening.

The Citizens last Saturday presented Jesmond Zerafa and Leonard Farrugia as their new coach and assistant respectively.

During the news conference, Victor Sciriha, the Valletta FC president, told reporters that the club have plans to bring in three new foreigners and two Maltese players.

A Brazilian striker arrived in Malta yesterday to start a trial with the Citizens who are also expected to offer a contract to Omonige Temile, the older brother of Frank Temile who is still remembered fondly by the Valletta fans after his excellent contribution to the club's last title success in 2007/08.

Valletta are also hopeful of concluding a deal to sign Qormi's Brazilian defender Ramon in the next few days.

Azzopardi gets Qormi's nod

For their part, Qormi yesterday named Stephen Azzopardi as their new coach.

Azzopardi's appointment had been in the air for some time but it was only confirmed last night after the club's committee took a vote on the matter.

The other candidate for the coaching job at Qormi was Vince Carbonaro who had been put in charge of the team for the final weeks of last season following the resignation of Zerafa.

Azzopardi, who agreed a two-year deal with Qormi, had been without a club since parting ways with Sliema Wanderers in January.

The Blues, who are expected to confirm Mark Marlow for next season, have all but concluded discussions to sign a Portuguese midfielder. Zezinando, who last played for CF Estrela da Amadora, has reportedly impressed Marlow during a trial last month.

Birkirkara have also made progress in their efforts to finalise new contracts with a host of key players. Midfielder Shaun Bajada has followed team-mate Trevor Cilia in signing a new three-year deal.

Coach Paul Zammit is expected to give trials to a host of foreign players as the future of Spanish keeper Jorge Mora is unclear while Dutch winger Sylvano Comvalius is still the subject of interest from Russia's Spartak Nalchik.