Lija Athletic Football Club (Commonly referred to as Lija Athletic) is a football team originating from the village of Lija, Malta. The present club was founded in 1949 and has competed in the Maltese Premier League five times. During the 2023–24 Maltese Challenge League campaign, Lija Athletic finished the first round in 8th position, trailing 5 points behind the Top 6 teams. Consequently, they were slated to compete in the Play-Out section for the remainder of the season. However, Lija secured their place in the Challenge League early by defeating Zejtun 1-0, with 3 games still to play.
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| Full name | Lija Athletic Football Club | |||
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| Nickname(s) | Tal-Larinġ, Tan-Nar | |||
| Founded | 1949 | |||
| Ground | Lija Athletic Sports Complex | |||
| Capacity | 500 | |||
| Chairman | Dr. Peter Fenech | |||
| Manager | Joseph Galea | |||
| League | Maltese Challenge League | |||
| 2023–24 | Maltese Challenge League, 9th | |||
| Website | Club website | |||
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History edit
Although the first team in Lija is believed to have been formed in the 1930s, the first team to take part in the competitions organised by the Malta Football Association were Lija Amateurs. Lija Amateurs were founded in 1944 and in season 1944–45, they took part in the Second Division. The team was disbanded after three years.
In 1948–49, the present club, Lija Athletic were founded. The club joined the MFA and played in Division Three. The team was gaining momentum, until during a Third Division league match against Qormi Youngsters in March 1957, the referee abandoned the game due to fighting between the players. The MFA suspended the club from all football activities. However this decision was reviewed and the team was back in 1958.
The club tasted its first success when winning the Third Division Championship in 1962–63. The team was relegated in 1968–69 and it took Lija Athletic nine years to regain promotion to the Second Division, once again winning the Third Division title. The introduction of the Premier Division by the MFA in 1980 meant that all clubs were promoted by one division. Lija Athletic found themselves in the First Division. After a rather good performance during the first season in Division One, Lija were relegated in 1981–82.
The club won promotion to the First Division in 1987–88, but after one year they were back to Division Two. In 1990–91, Lija Athletic were relegated to the Third Division. After three years in Division Three, the Athletic won three consecutive promotions way up to the Premier League after winning the championships of Divisions Three and Two and placing second in Division One. In the Premier League for the first time ever, during the season of 1996–97, Lija Athletic had a very hard time with the big guns of local football, and were relegated after placing last.
Lija Athletic regained Premiership status after placing second in season 2001–02, and after a quick return to Division One, they managed to regain promotion thanks to the runner-up position obtained in season 2003–04. Once again the Premier Division challenge was too much, and with 3 wins, 2 draws and 19 lost games, Lija finished in last place. In 2005–06 Lija Athletic continued the habit of leaving their division after one year, but this time the destination was the Second Division, after finishing 9th with 18 points in 18 games. In 2006–07 the team obtained a position in mid-table, finishing 7th place. In spite of a poorer record, the team climbed to 6th place the following season. In 2008–09 Lija Athletic were able to challenge for promotion, although they had to settle for third place behind Melita FC and local rivals Balzan Youths, thereby just missing out.
The 2009–10 season saw Lija Athletic strengthening the squad with several experienced players and some talented youngsters. From the early stages it was obvious the team would again be challengers for promotion, and with 48 points Lija Athletic won the Second Division championship and secured promotion to the First Division.
In Season 2013–14, Lija Athletic reached a new milestone when qualifying for the FA Trophy Semi-finals for the first time in the club's history, following exceptional wins including one against Premier giants, Floriana F.C. Lija Athletic were eliminated from the competition with a narrow 0–1 loss to Qormi F.C. in the FA Trophy Semi-final.
Following seven (7) seasons in the First Division, Lija Athletic regained promotion to the top flight, the Premier League, for the fourth time in the club's history, this time winning the First Division League with a total of 54 points. This is the first time in the club's history that Lija Athletic won the First Division Championship, with a relatively young squad.
In 2019-20, Lija achieved promotion to the top tier of Maltese football for the fifth time in their history. However, as with previous seasons, their stay in the top tier was short-lived, and they were relegated after just one season. Despite the setback, this season stood out as the best performance in the club's history, securing 5 wins and a total of 20 points. Noteworthy victories over Floriana and a draw with Hamrun highlighted that particular campaign.
The year 2024 holds special significance for Lija Athletic, as it marks the 75th anniversary since its establishment in 1949. The year kicked off on a positive note with a victory over Zejtun. Prolific striker Erjon Beu added to the celebration by scoring his 150th goal for the club.
Kits edit
| Period | Kit supplier | Shirt sponsor (front) |
|---|---|---|
| 2009-19 |  Adidas (EuroSport)
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Falzon Group of Companies Ltd. |
| 2019-20 |  Macron (TeamSport)
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Falzon Group of Companies Ltd., Take A Break Travel, the Teambar |
| 2020-21 | Falzon Group of Companies Ltd., GCS Malta | |
| 2021-22 | Falzon Group of Companies Ltd., GCS Malta, Gracy's Malta | |
| 2022-24 | Falzon Group of Companies Ltd. |
Players edit
Current squad (2023–2024) edit
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan edit
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Retired numbers edit
| No. | Player | Nationality | Position | Debut | Last match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Daniel Scerri |  Malta
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Midfielder | 14 September 2003 vs Marsa | 23 April 2023 vs Fgura |
Staff & Administration edit
Technical team (2023–2024) edit
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Administration (2023–2024) edit
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Managerial History edit
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 2002 - 2004 | Patrick Curmi
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| 2004 - 2005 |  Ilir Pelinku
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| 2005 - 2007 | Jimmy Briffa
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| 2007 - 2008 | Anthony Grech
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| 2008 - 2009 | Ilir Pelinku
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| 2009 - 2013 | Marco Gerada
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| 2013 - 2014 | Brian Spiteri
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| 2014 - 2016 | Joseph Brincat
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| 2016 – | Joseph Galea
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Records edit
Club Top Appearances edit
- As of 29 April 2024
| Player | Apps |
|---|---|
| Daniel Scerri |
408 |
| Luke Bonnici |
340 |
| John Cuschieri |
305 |
| Beppe Antignolo |
245 |
| Erjon Beu |
239 |
| Joe Cardona |
217 |
| Raymond Borg |
207 |
| Clayton Giordimaina |
202 |
| Glenn Barry |
195 |
| Leon Muscat |
180 |
Club Top Scorers edit
- As of 29 April 2024
| Player | Goals | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Erjon Beu |
152 | 239 |
| Glenn Barry |
65 | 195 |
 Ridha Dardouri |
50 | 73 |
 Ige Abdullahi Adeshina |
50 | 147 |
| Beppe Antignolo |
49 | 245 |
Honours edit
League edit
- First Division
- Winners (1): 2016–17
- Second Division
- Winners (1): 2009–10
- Third Division (3rd Level)
- Winners (2): 1962–63, 1977–78
- Third Division (4th Level)
- Winners (1): 1993–94
Cup edit
- Second/Third Division Knock Out Cup
- Winners (1): 1994–95
- Third Division Sons of Malta Cup
- Winners (1): 1978–79
Youth Academy edit
The Lija Iklin Youth Academy alongside the Iklin Local Council and the 'Skema Żgħażagħ Iklin', was founded back in 2002 by then president Mr Charles J.Scerri.
During the years the academy has been recognized as one of central Malta's leading football academy's with over 250 players registered. The academy includes teams in each age category, catering for boys and girls.
- As of 10 May 2024
| Season 2023-24 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category | Section | Pos | P | W | D | L | PTS |
| Under 15 | B | 8th | 16 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 11 |
| Under 17 | C | 3rd | 18 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 37 |
| Under 16 (Girls) | Top 4 | 4th | 17 | 4 | 2 | 11 | 14 |
Competitions History edit
2000 - Present edit
| Season | League | Top Scorer | Knockout/Cup | Youths U/19 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Div. | Pos. | Pl. | W | D | L | GS | GA | P | Name | Goals | Div. | Pos. | Cup | ||
| 2000–2001 | 2nd | 2nd | 18 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 20 | 34 | Alan Tabone
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9 | First Round | Section B | 9th | First Round |
| 2001–2002 | 1st | 10th | 24 | 4 | 3 | 17 | 21 | 70 | 11 | Ilir Pelinku
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6 | Second Round | Section B | 7th | Quarter-Finals |
| 2002–2003 | 2nd | 5th | 18 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 21 | 24 | 24 |  Glenn Barry
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10 | First round | Section B | 4th | Winners |
| 2003–2004 | 2nd | 2nd | 18 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 31 | 24 | 32 | Glenn Barry
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7 | Second round | Section B | 9th | Preliminary Round |
| 2004–2005 | 1st | 10th | 24 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 13 | 60 | 8 | Glenn Barry
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5 | First round | Section C | 2nd | Preliminary Round |
| 2005–2006 | 2nd | 9th | 18 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 20 | 33 | 18 | Michael Gatt
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5 | First round | Section B | 6th | Second round |
| 2006–2007 | 3rd | 7th | 22 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 27 | 25 | 30 | Anthony Gera
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8 | Quarter-Finals | Section B | 2nd | Winners |
| 2007–2008 | 3rd | 6th | 22 | 8 | 4 | 10 | 25 | 29 | 28 | Beppe Antignolo
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6 | First Round | Section A | 8th | Preliminary Round |
| 2008–2009 | 3rd | 3rd | 22 | 15 | 3 | 4 | 35 | 17 | 48 | Chris Pace
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8 | First Round | Section A | 10th | Quarter Finals |
| 2009–2010 | 3rd | 1st | 22 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 48 | 22 | 48 | Antoine Sacco
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10 | Quarter-Finals | Section B | 10th | Preliminary Round |
| 2010–2011 | 2nd | 5th | 18 | 7 | 3 | 8 | 24 | 25 | 24 |  Admir Džanović
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7 | First Round | Section C | 8th | Preliminary Round |
| 2011–2012 | 2nd | 7th | 22 | 8 | 5 | 9 | 26 | 25 | 29 | Gilbert Camilleri
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6 | Fourth Round | Section C | 8th | First Round |
| 2012–2013 | 2nd | 4th | 22 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 42 | 30 | 42 | Erjon Beu
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12 | Semi-Finals | Section C | 9th | First Round |
| 2013–2014 | 2nd | 7th | 24 | 9 | 6 | 9 | 44 | 44 | 33 |  Kiril Aleksandrov
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15 | Third Round | Section C | 10th | Third Round |
| 2014–2015 | 2nd | 9th | 26 | 12 | 2 | 12 | 45 | 43 | 38 | Ige Abdullahi Adeshina
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10 | Third Round | Section D | 1st | Second Round |
| 2015–2016 | 2nd | 5th | 26 | 12 | 5 | 9 | 40 | 27 | 41 | Erjon Beu
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9 | Fourth Round | Section C | 2nd | Third Round |
| 2016–2017 | 2nd | 1st | 26 | 16 | 6 | 4 | 63 | 34 | 54 | Erjon Beu
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24 | Fourth Round | Section B | 2nd | Third Round |
| 2017–2018 | 1st | 14th | 26 | 1 | 3 | 22 | 23 | 84 | 6 | Erjon Beu
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11 | Quarter-Finals | Section A | 8th | Second Round |
| 2018–2019 | 2nd | 7th | 26 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 49 | 50 | 35 | Erjon Beu
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20 | Fourth Round | Section A | 10th | Second Round |
| 2019–2020 | 2nd | 2nd | 19 | 11 | 3 | 5 | 47 | 31 | 36 | Erjon Beu
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25 | Third Round | Section B | 2nd | Second Round |
| 2020–2021 | 1st | 15th | 23 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 25 | 46 | 20 | Erjon Beu
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9 | Round of 32 | Section A | 12th | N/A |
| 2021–2022 | 2nd | 7th | 20 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 39 | 37 | 28 | Lydon Micallef
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18 | Preliminary Round | Section A | 12th | N/A |
| 2022–2023 | 2nd | 10th | 28 | 11 | 6 | 11 | 51 | 54 | 39 |  Duvan Mosqueira Torres
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16 | Preliminary Round | Section B | 7th | N/A |
| 2023–2024 | 2nd | 9th | 24 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 31 | 44 | 32 | Erjon Beu
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10 | Round of 32 | Section B | 7th | N/A |
| 2024–2025 | 2nd | N/A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | N/A
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0 | N/A | Section B | N/A | N/A |