Cres players are at the top of the standings in the fourth division of NS Rijeka after three rounds. Novalja withdrew from the competition at the start of the season, which has further altered the league structure.
Since February, the president of the local club has been Tonci Zubovic, a long-time sports director. "This is my first time as an official president. I have been at the club for over twenty years," Zubovic said. The president of Novalja, Ivica Datkovic, stated that senior football on the islands is unsustainable. Zubovic partially agrees with this: "It is difficult and specific as we are dispersed, but I would not say it is unsustainable."
Zubovic highlighted that they currently have between 65 and 70 children in their school, with the aim of returning the number to over one hundred. "The pitch and locker rooms have not been renovated for over twenty years and do not meet regional standards," he said. He added that they have a firm promise from Mayor Marin Gregorovic to proceed with the construction of an auxiliary pitch, new locker rooms, a covered stand, and the installation of new floodlights. "The new floodlights have already arrived at the club," he confirmed. The club's ambition is to return to the third division, with local businesses regularly sponsoring the team. They recently successfully hosted a Real Madrid camp, with local authorities providing maximum support within the budget.
Dragan Mejc has returned to the crest of Cres, having previously led the youth teams of Rijeka and Osijek, led the Krpan-Babic academy, served as a coach for various Croatian youth teams, and taught at the academy. He previously was at Cres, and now has achieved three wins in three matches. "My return to Cres was primarily the result of a friendship with Tonci Zubovic, which has lasted for decades. Cres welcomed me beautifully the first time," said Mejc.
Boško Babić and Željko Tomić have joined the squad. Mejc has left the team composition to President Zubovic and Filip Fumić, who has become the president's right-hand man. "We train in two different locations. Ed Crnovrsanin trains part of the team on the island, while we train on Saturday matches," explained Mejc. He highlighted that they have many young players with potential for the higher ranks, but the biggest challenge on the island is the tourist season and the players' work commitments. "Due to the tourist season, physical preparation sometimes suffers, only in mid-season do we catch up with the right form. Winter training is easier as there are fewer private obligations in winter," he said.
The ambition is certainly there, as Mejc pointed out. "President Zubovic is an ambitious man, both as a president and as a businessman. I am also ambitious and want to create a good result and a cohesive team." He reflected on the strength of the league: "The league is strong. Teams such as Otočec, Ližnjani, Umag, Fažana, and Borac are very high quality and experienced."
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