Gil Vicente is a club marching to the beat of its own drum. In a world where big money often dictates everything, this Portuguese team stands firm. Their president, Rui Silva, recently spoke to SportTV. He made it clear: outside investors are not welcome here.
Silva’s message was simple yet powerful. Gil Vicente belongs to its members, one hundred percent. This is a rare thing in today’s football. He wants it to stay that way. This decision means the club must work extra hard. They have to be very careful with their money.
Running a club without external cash isn’t easy. Gil Vicente cannot rely on fixed income alone. To balance the books, they often sell players. This means developing young talent is key. It’s a different way to build a team, but it’s their chosen path.
Rui Silva knows Gil Vicente inside and out. His father was involved with the club for a long time. Rui himself joined the financial side during his father’s last term. Then, last year, the chance to lead the club came up. He decided to take it, driven by a deep love for the team.
The president looks ahead to the 2025/26 season. He hopes for a calm, steady year for the club. Stability is very important to him. They want to be a strong force in the top league. The city of Gil Vicente deserves to see its team chase bigger goals, he believes.
Building the team for the new season is a big job. Coach César Peixoto understands the club’s vision perfectly. He knows they need to work with young players. The goal is to develop them and then sell them. This helps keep the club financially sound.
Of course, a team also needs experienced players. Peixoto works to find the right balance between youth and veteran skill. The club is still looking for a few more players. Silva expects new signings to arrive very soon. Gil Vicente is getting ready, sticking to its unique, member-owned way.