Lija Athletic F.C.

Lija Athletic Football Club (Commonly referred to as Lija Athletic's or Lija) 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 for three times.

History

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.

Lija Iklin Nursery

Previously, there was a football nursery in the village of Lija that solely belonged to Lija Athletic Football Club, but a special agreement between the Iklin Local Council and the football club gave way to the foundation of a Lija-Iklin nursery. Iklin is a small town which is very closeby to Lija and which was detached from Lija just recently. This nursery was later fully acquired by Lija Athletic. By an agreement, Lija-Iklin players, who wear green and blue, go on to the Lija Athletic Under 19 team after they have gone through the categories of Lija-Iklin Football Youth Nursery, namely Under 5 up till Under 17.

Players

Current squad (2010-11)

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Notable players

See Lija Athletic F.C. Players

Current staff (2010-11)

Administration (2010-11)

External links

Official website

• Official website