NAPOLI RISES FROM THE ASHES

Last updated : 08 September 2004 By editor

From The Guardian:

'Aurelio De Laurentiis, known in Italy as the king of B-movies, yesterday started his campaign to restore Naples' footballing glories after taking over the city's new club, which will start life in Serie C1, the country's third division.

The new owner, son of the celebrated film producer Dino De Laurentiis, has paid just under £20m for what remained of the defunct Napoli club, which was declared bankrupt last month.

The club formally has a different title, Napoli Soccer 2004, but it is expected to be known simply as Napoli and play in the light blue shirts of its predecessors. The club once inspired by Diego Maradona to Italian league titles in 1987 and 1990, as well as the Uefa Cup in 1989, avoided relegation from Serie B last season but lost a legal battle to remain in that division because of dire financial problems. Italian regulations allow a city to retain the rights to professional football even if the local club has been declared bankrupt.

Yesterday De Laurentiis, who followed his father into the film world, launched an appeal to supporters: "A new era is beginning and I hope the fans have the patience and the respect for this club that it requires."

Naples' new club will hope to emulate Fiorentina, who have returned to Serie A this autumn two years after bankruptcy and disbandment.'