St. George's Football Club,[2] is a Maltese football club from the city of Cospicua in the Mediterranean island of Malta, believed to be the oldest club on the island. They are currently playing in the Maltese National Amateur League, and is popularly claimed to be the pioneers of Maltese civilian football.[citation needed]
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| Full name | St. George's Football Club | ||
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| Nickname(s) | The Pioneers | ||
| Founded | 1890 | ||
| Ground | Centenary Stadium, Malta | ||
| Capacity | 2,000 | ||
| Manager | Trevor Thomas | ||
| League | National Amateur League | ||
| 2021–22 | Maltese Challenge League, Group A, 11th (relegated) )[1] | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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History edit
During the 1880s, a group of Maltese youngsters was watching English soldiers playing football at the Verdala Barracks; an officer gave the young Maltese a ball and that was the start of the game on the island. They formed the first football club in Malta and named it Santa Margherita; two other clubs emerged soon after: St. Andrews and St. George's. The three clubs in Cospicua merged in 1890 to form one club, holding on to the St. George's name.[3]
During the first years of the 20th century, they became Civilian Champions. The best season for the Cospicua team was 1916–17 during which St. George's F.C. won the 'double' by being crowned League champions and Knock Out Cousis Shield winners. One of the most notable players of St. George's was Emmanuel Balolu Busuttil, the only player to captain the St. George's side to their only championship in the 1916–17 season. One of the most notable matches St. Georges played in their history was the 1965–66 the old second division decider against Qormi at the old Mannuel Island, a match that saw the biggest crowd of that season in all the MFA competitions. The match ended with a 2–1 score line in favour of St. Georges. From the corner flag, Zambula kicked the ball without anybody touching it straight into the nearest upright.
Achievements edit
- Maltese Premier League
- Winners: 1916–17
- Maltese Premier League
- Maltese FA Trophy
- Finalist: 1936–37, 1949–50
- Cousis Shield
- Winners: 1916–17, 1926–27
- Maltese First Division
- Division 2
- Champions: 1953–54, 1956–57, 1958–59, 1965–66, 1971–72, 1973–74, 2018–19
- Maltese Second Division
- Maltese Third Division
- Champions: 2002-02
- Division 2 Sons of Malta Cup
- Winners: 1971–72, 1973–74
- Christmas Cup
- Winners: 1939–40
Current squad 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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See also edit
References edit
- ^ "Summary - National Amateur League - Malta - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
- ^ Cassar Pullicino, J. (1956). "Social Aspects of Maltese Nicknames" (PDF). Scientia. 22 (2): 92.
- ^ St. George's. Archived from geocities.com on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2011.