St. George's F.C.

St. George's
Full name St. George's Football Club
Founded 1890
Ground Ta' Qali Stadium,
Ta' Qali, Malta
(Capacity: 17,000)
Manager Robert Kelly
League Maltese First Division
2007/08 Maltese First Division, 7th
Website Club home page
Home colours
Away colours

St. George's Football Club 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 First Division, and is popularly claimed to be the pioneers of Maltese civilian football.

Contents

History

During the 1880s, a group of Maltese youngsters were watching English soldiers playing football at the Verdala Barracks; an officer gave the young Maltese a ball and this was the start of the game on the island. They formed the first ever 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 came together in 1890, merging to form one club, holding onto the St. George's name.[1]

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. He was the only player to captin the St. George's side to their first and 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, the most spectical goal ever seen on these islands. From the corner flag Zambula kicked the ball without anybody touching it straight into the nearest upright, To the delight of all the St. Georges fans that they had reached the pinicule of Maltese football once again.

Achievements

1916/17

1913/14, 1917/18, 1929/30, 1939/40

1936/37, 1949/50

1916/17, 1926/27

1991/92, 2005/06

1953/54, 1956/57, 1958/59, 1965/66, 1971/72, 1973/74

1958/59, 1971/72, 1973/74

1953/54

1987/88, 1996/97, 2003/04

1987/88

1999/2000

2002/03

1971/72, 1973/74

1939/40 1

Current squad

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

No. Position Player
1 GK Thomas Galea
2 DF Anthony Bonelo
3 DF Emanuel Sevasta (captain)
4 MF Emerson Amaira
5 MF Roberto Boutahir Reda
6 MF Johnathan Luiz Ruiz
7 MF Glen Bonelo
8 MF Dylan Zarb
9 MF Garry Inguanez
No. Position Player
10 FW Shaun Farrugia
11 FW Eric Obinna Chukwunyelu
GK Ryan Marmara
DF Alan Abela
DF Isaac Isinde
DF Mark Anthony Bonnici
MF Klinsmann Grech
FW Karl Magro
FW Amadeo Mercieca

Notable players

See St. George's F.C. Players

  • Ernest Barry
  • Clive Brincat
  • Charles Cassar
  • Renato Conceição

References

  1. ^ St. George's. Archived from geocities.com on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2011.

External links

Official website