To mark their 80th anniversary, Melita FC recently launched one unified club badge, incorporating the first team and nursery.
Distinguished personalities, past and present committee members, players and members of the technical staff attended the launch which was presided by Melita FC president Paul Zammit.
Founded in 1933 by Gian Bencini, Melita pride themselves on their philosophy: ‘Home of the Amateur’ and ‘Play the game for the game’s sake’.
“It is an honour to represent one of the oldest football clubs and the only amateur team in Malta,” Zammit told those present.
“Over the past years, thanks to the hard work of all my predecessors, the club has gone from strength to strength and today Melita FC has one of the best equipped complexes around. We are launching our new logo as part of our forward-looking strategy and to continue building on our glorious past.”
Zammit thanked the main sponsors of Melita FC – Atlas, EuroSport, Hebe, O’Hea, 6PM and Powerade – for their support and also had words of appreciation for the players, coaches and members, not least those who assist in the nursery that came to life in 1989.
“Our nursery has grown in numbers and today I am happy to say that we have some 400 children trained here by over 40 coaches,” Zammit said.
“This makes it a huge operation which we would not be able to carry out without the support of the committee and the volunteers.”
The new logo has been given a modern touch using the yellow, black and red colours associated with Melita FC and also showing the traditional St Julian’s mascot – a deer.
The logo is mainly based on designs handed in by nursery players who also participated in a competition. During the launch, the participants formed a large moustache figure on the pitch in support of the Movember campaign which aims to raise awareness on men’s health issues including prostate and testicular cancer. This was done with the assistance of JP Advertising.
In 2003, Melita FC embarked on an ambitious project to improve its facilities and today boast an 11-a-side artificial turf pitch with lighting and a spectators’ stand.
The project also included two five-a-side pitches, new dressing rooms, parking facilities, a fully equipped bar and restaurant and a gym.