The group photo, in the end, is intended to be a good omen, that of an active collaboration between Messina leaders and the “government”, as defined by the president of the “new” Acr, Justin Davis. His presence and that of the general manager Morris Pagniello, in the Sports Council Commission at the Municipality, served to gain knowledge but above all to present the event of December 1st to celebrate the 125 years of history of football in the city. An event that also aims to relaunch the attractiveness and visibility of Messina in the national football scene and beyond. It is no coincidence that the match that will bring great former Serie A and Messina players back to the “Franco Scoglio” turf will be broadcast live by Sportitalia. There is a hint of disappointment for a pre-sale which, at the moment, is rather lackluster. Just under two thousand tickets sold against a capacity increased by the Prefecture to 16 thousand (1000 for Grandstand A, 5100 for the Curva Sud and 8900 for Grandstand B). It is testimony, of which Racing is aware, of the much work to be done to erase the last disappointing years.
«It is an extraordinary event, there will be many legends and we appreciate all the work of the Administration – said Davis, turning to the sports councilor Massimo Finocchiaro who sits next to him. It won’t just be a one-day event, but it will help us for the rest of the year.”
«We need to feel and make people feel that we belong to this shirt, to this city – added Pagniello -. This is an investment for our fans and we hope there will be many families.” The company will distribute 5 thousand tickets in schools, to bring the new generations closer and get them used to the “ritual” of the stadium.
Of the “Franco Scoglio”, now, but there is also another development. «Many fans are asking us for the “Celeste” – said the president – they hope that next year we can play there again. We hope so too.” And the work is well underway, as is the procedure for requesting authorization for the installation and D series approval of the synthetic turf. The deadline for the works, by way of exception, is set for January 31st. Not a day later.
Returning to the event on December 1st, a taste of the “Museum of the history of Messina” is planned. It was presented by Ezio Sindoni of the Cooperativa Messina. «Historical shirts for Monday’s event, then from 27 to 30 December in the Church of Santa Maria Alemanna an exhibition also with memorabilia».
Various interventions by city councilors. From Dario Carbone who spoke of the «need for a concrete plan for the management of the stadium», to Pippo Trischitta who highlighted the possibility of exploiting the parking areas. Libero Gioveni, however, recalled how the old City Council had started the process for the management of the stadiums “by approving the resolutions relating to the agreement schemes, so now it is up to the Administration to do its part, laying the foundations with the new company, guaranteeing virtuous paths and projects”.