Maltese Third Division

Maltese Third Division
Country  Malta
Number of teams 13
Level on pyramid 4
Promotion to Maltese Second Division
Domestic cup(s) Maltese FA Trophy
Current champions Kirkop United F.C.
(2014–2015)
2015–2016

The Maltese Third Division (also known as the Bank of Valletta Third Division) is the lowest league level in Maltese football. There are currently 13 teams participating in the league.

Until 2011 the division comprised two sections - Section A with eleven teams and Section B with eleven teams. Both sections play two rounds with the winner in each group getting promoted to the Maltese Second Division. Relegation play-offs between the 2nd and 3rd placed teams of both groups and the 10th place finisher of Second Division determined the third team to be in the Second Division.

Because it is the lowest level in the Maltese Football League, there is no formal relegation from the league. However, the two lowest placed teams have to reapply to take part the following season.

For the 2007-08 season, Mtarfa F.C. replaced Ta' Xbiex after their league application was turned down, mainly due to their poor performances over a number of years. New teams can also apply to join the competition. Season 2009-10 saw Swieqi United F.C. joining, and they were followed by Marsascala F.C. in 2010-11.

On January 13, 2011, the Malta Football Association decided to reform the league to 14 teams as from season 2011-12.[1]

For season 2015-16, the matches shall be played at the Charles Abela ground in Mosta, Luxol St. Andrews ground in Pembroke and Sirens F.C. ground in San Pawl il-Baħar.

Participating Teams 2015–2016

History

Season Champions Promoted
2000–2001 Msida SJ Senglea A.
2001–2002 San Gwann Vittoriosa S.
2002–2003 Zejtun C. St. George's
Season Champions Promoted 1 Promoted 2
2003–2004 Melita St. Venera L. Qormi
2004–2005 Gudja U. Gharghur
2005–2006 Birzebbuga SP St. Venera L. Rabat A.
2006–2007 Mgarr U. Sirens Zurrieq
Season Champions Sec. A Champions Sec. B Promoted
2007–2008 Zebbug R. Gozo Mgarr U.
2008–2009 Gharghur Gzira U. Zurrieq
2009–2010 Mgarr U. * Zejtun C. Naxxar L.

" * - Maltese Third Division Champions after championship decider"

Maltese Third Division 2009–10 Standings

Section A

P Team Pld W D L F A GD Pts
1 Mgarr U.   18 14 2 2 41 17 +24 44
2 Mdina K. 18 11 4 3 33 19 +14 37
3 Ghaxaq 18 9 4 5 36 32 +4 31
4 Marsa 18 7 5 6 22 19 +3 26
5 Siggiewi 18 8 2 8 33 37 -4 26
6 Mtarfa 18 6 5 7 19 25 -6 23
7 Luqa SA 18 6 3 9 34 33 +1 21
8 Pembroke A. 18 5 3 10 22 28 -6 18
9 Fgura U. 18 4 2 12 17 31 -14 14
10 Kalkara 18 4 2 12 21 37 -16 14

Section B

P Team Pld W D L F A GD Pts
1 Zejtun C.   18 14 4 0 46 8 +38 46
2 Naxxar L.   18 15 1 2 51 16 +35 46
3 Gudja U.   18 9 3 6 37 17 +20 30
4 Attard 18 7 6 5 30 27 +3 27
5 Kirkop U. 18 6 5 7 25 27 -2 23
6 Sirens 18 7 1 10 31 42 -11 22
7 Xghajra T. 18 6 1 11 19 37 -18 19
8 Swieqi U. 18 5 1 12 25 49 -24 16
9 Qrendi 18 5 0 13 29 51 -22 15
10 St. Lucia 18 4 2 15 16 35 -19 14

Championship Decider

Sec. A Winners Result Sec. B Winners
Mgarr U. 3 - 4 Zejtun C.

Relegation/Promotion Play-Offs

Round Team Result Team
Quarter-Final Ghaxaq 1 - 2 Gudja U.
Semi-Final Mdina K. 0 - 2 Naxxar L.
Semi-Final St. Venera L. 0 - 2 Gudja U.
Final Naxxar L. 5 - 5 (pen.5-4) Gudja U.

Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GD = Goal difference; Pts = Points
C = Champions; R = Relegated; RP = Relegation playoffs

Top scorers

Section A

Goals Player Team
23
 Malta Malcolm Tirchett Luqa SA
17
 Malta Jason Camilleri Siggiewi
13
 Malta Chris Abela Mgarr U.

Section B

Goals Player Team
20
 Malta Darren Falzon Naxxar L.
15
 Malta Kenneth Abela Zejtun C.
14
 Malta Trevor Thomas Gudja U.

References

  1. ↑ Changes to National League, FA Trophy format approved
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