Xewkija Tigers F.C.
| Full name | Xewkija Tigers Football Club | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Tigers, Yellows | |
| Founded | 1939 | |
| Ground |
Gozo Stadium Gozo, Malta | |
| Capacity | 4000 | |
| Chairman | Jeffrey Farrugia | |
| Manager | Mario Bonello | |
| League | Gozo Division One | |
| 2011-12 | Gozo Division One, 1st | |
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Xewkija Tigers F.C. is a football club from the village of Xewkija in Gozo, Malta. The club was founded in 1939 and is named after the name of the village. They play in the Gozo Football League.
History
The Tigers have a very positive history in local football and for many seasons they were among the contenders for the honours in Gozo. Xewkija Tigers can trace their foundation to 1939. Yet it was only 5 years after that they played their first competitive match. It was in fact during the 1944-45 season where Xewkija Tigers first participated in the local competitions, when since then they had only played friendly games, mainly due to the difficulties Gozitans suffered during the World War II.
Xewkija's first honour arrived in the following season, 1945–46, where they lifted the Galea Cup in a match won against Xaghra Blue by 1-0 on 12 May 1946.
In the period between 1958–59 and 1965-66 seasons Xewkija participated in the local league under two different names, Xewkija United/Xewkija Tigers and Xewkija Rovers. The name Xewkija United was only used for a single season (1958–59), where successively the team was called again Xewkija Tigers. Whereas Xewkija Rovers continued to play as a separate team from the Tigers for some more years in the Gozitan league, precisely until the 1965-66 season. At the end of this season it was decided that Xewkija Rovers should stop participating in the Gozitan league, leaving the village's representation solely to Xewkija Tigers.
Xewkija Tigers' first domestic league honour came at the end of the 1974-75 season. This squad included the likes of : John Busuttil, Mike Apap, Salvu Cilia, Charlie Le Prevost, Frank Mizzi, Carmel Attard, Raymond Rapa, Paul Vella, John Spiteri, Wistin Scerri, John Attard, Carmel Portelli, Benny Vella, Paul Hili, Joe Debrincat and Joe Grech. It was guided to victory under Mr. Joe Psaila, whereas the club was in the hands of President Mr. Frans Zammit Haber.
Xewkija Tigers' glory days were the early 1980s (1982–83 and 1983–84) when the team managed to win 2 consecutive league titles, together with the GFA Cup and the Silver Jubilee Cup. In other words this team managed to win all the titles which the Gozitan league offered in these years. Xewkija were managed by Mr. Salvu Cilia.
Xewkija Tigers' last domestic title arrived in the 2000-01 season in a decider final won against Nadur Youngsters F.C. by 4-3. It was a great and an unpredictable win, because 5 games before the end of the season Xewkija Tigers were trailing Nadur Youngsters by 8 points. Xewkija were once again managed under Mr. Salvu Cilia, who incidentally left his mark in all Xewkija's league titles (1 as a player and 3 as a coach).
After a historic 2004'05 season, in which the GFA opened its barriers for the local clubs to sign unlimited foreign based players, Xewkija Tigers were one of the clubs who invested heavily in such players amongst who Udo Nwoko (current Malta National player) and Thierry Tazemeta (who plays his football in Israel). However the spending flee of this season had its repercussions later on and due to financial problems the club decided to fully concentrate on the youth sector, a decision which eventually led to a relegation 2 seasons later.
After 2 seasons in the lowest division of the Gozo Football League, Xewkija Tigers returned with the big boys at the end of the 2008-09 season after winning the Promotion Decided with contenders Xaghra United by 3-2 (starting line-up: J.Grima, S.Mercieca, J.Vella, J.Vella, J.Cefai; S.Mizzi, A.Fotso, M.Pace (P.Rapa), J.Azzopardi (J.Azzopardi); C.Bugeja, R.Buttigieg). Xewkija were under the guidance of coach Mario Bonello.[1]
Today
Presently (2012–13), Xewkija Tigers are playing in the MELITA 1st Division of the Gozo Football League. They are coached by Simon Cassar, together with the help of the assistant coach Noel Cardona, club secretary Joseph Attard and club President Jeffrey Farrugia.
Players
- As of 17 November 2013
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Honours
- Champions (5): 1974-75; 1982-83; 1983-84; 2000-01; 2011-12
- Runners-up (6): 1984-85; 1985-86; 1990-91; 1991-92; 2001-02; 2004-05
- Champions (7): 1964-65; 1969-70; 1972-73; 1980-81; 1987-88; 1995-96; 2008-09
- Runners-up (5): 1952-53; 1968-69; 1979-80; 1993-94; 2007-08
- Champions (7): 1983-84; 1984-85; 1989-90; 1990-91; 1999-00; 2001-02; 2004-05; 2011-2012
Super Cup:
- Champions (1): 2004-05; 2011-2012
Republic Cup:
- Champions (1): 1999-00
Gemaharija Cup:
- Champions (1): 1989-90
Silver Jubilee Cup:
- Champions (1): 1983-84
- Champions (4): 1992-93; 2000-01; 2003-04; 2011-12
- Champions (5): 1979-80; 1980-81; 2000-01; 2003-04; 2011-2012
Galea Cup:
- Champions (2): 1945-46; 1952-53
- Champions (2): 1974-75; 1980-81
Rothmans Cup:
- Champions (1): 1987-88 (2nd Div.)
K.O. Winners Cup:
- Champions (2): 1993-94 (2nd Div.); 1996-97 (1st Div.)
References
External links
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