Stalwart Micah Samuel will be seeking to take over as president of Empire Football Club.

Samuel, a former player and coach, has declared his candidacy for the presidency when Empire will elect a new executive to charter its affairs at its annual general meeting which is slated to be held today.

Samuel said he is seeking to replace Claude Laviscount as president to revive Empire’s imperial status in the community and the Antigua & Barbuda Football Association’s (ABFA) programme.

“Well the main objective is basically to resuscitate and to re-elevate the club’s regal status in the community and the ABFA programme,” Samuel said.

“My association with Empire began when I was nine years old and I have served as a player, coach and executive member in the past. With the many hours under my belt in serving the Empire Football Club in many capacities I would like to serve at the top now, making decisions which will propel Empire back to its regal status.”

Samuel said he is confident of victory since he is expecting to get more than 50 per cent of votes that will be cast during the election.

Samuel said it’s imperative that proper assessment of players is done before joining the club as well as members becoming more serious about the club to restore Empire FC to its former glory.

“The first thing we want to do is get back the serious mindedness that used to be attached to the club. Once we used to scan our players before we give them our jerseys to wear, now that seems as if it has gone through the window,” Samuel said.

“Additionally, I will have to look at the financial structure of the club and see how well we can build on that. We also have to look at the youth programme to see how far we can develop that.

“We have to again begin to give players the opportunity to tryout in England. I have the contacts in England and Scotland so I do not visualise why we can not continue along those lines.”

Empire, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, is the most successful premier league football club in Antigua & Barbuda, winning a record 13 titles thus far.