All-time scoring record is cherry on the cake - Sultana

Maltese football has produced several top-notch forwards throughout the years.

Tony Nicholl, Ronnie Cocks, Ernest Spiteri Gonzi, Raymond Xuereb and Carmel Busuttil were among the greatest hitmen to have graced local stadia.

On Wednesday night, it was the turn of another brilliant, long-serving footballer to cement his place in the history of Maltese football.

Stefan Sultana's two goals in the Spartans' 3-1 win over Marsaxlokk made him the most prolific striker in the history of top-flight football with a tally of 174 goals. Sultana's exceptional total eclipsed the previous record held by the late Nicholl, who netted 173 goals throughout his glittering career.

"It's a great feeling to be recognised as the most prolific striker in the Premier League," Sultana told The Times yesterday.

"It's the ambition of every striker to be remembered for his goals and this record is undoubtedly the cherry on the cake as far as my football career is concerned.

"Frankly, at the start of the season I didn't think too much about it. However, the pressure grew with every goal I scored as more and more people urged me to hit more goals in order to achieve this milestone.

"Surpassing the record of a legendary figure such as Tony Nicholl is indeed a great honour. I haven't had the opportunity to see him play but my father has always maintained that he was the best striker Malta has ever seen. He stopped playing at the age of 40... it would be great if I can manage to stay in the spotlight until that age," the 34-year-old Sultana added.

The record set last Wednesday at the Centenary Stadium is the culmination of a wonderful playing career that began 18 years ago.

The Hamrun forward made his debut in the Premier League on April 28, 1985, at the age of 16, in the Spartans' 4-0 win over Marsa.

Sultana scored his first league goal for Hamrun two years later in the opening match of season 1987-88 in a 1-1 draw against Zurrieq.

Since then, his career flourished as the 34-year-old won three league championships, four FA Trophies and five Super Cup competitions with Hamrun Spartans.

Sultana has also been capped 35 times by Malta, weighing in with four goals.

Despite his fulfilment of a lifetime ambition, Sultana has no intention to hang up his boots.

"I am not thinking about calling it a day right now. I am 34 years old and I still feel I can play at the highest level of Maltese football for a couple more years," the former Malta international said.

"My main priority now is to help Hamrun maintain their Premier League status. I think we have a 50-50 chance of achieving this goal as all the teams in the Relegation Pool are in the running to beat the drop.

"Our squad features plenty of up-and-coming youngsters who have shown that they can play with the big boys. We are optimistic about our chances of staying up."

Sultana has already stated that, once he stops playing competitive football, his aim is to start a career in coaching. At present, he is already a member of the coaching staff at the Hamrun nursery.

"Coaching has always been a target since I started playing football. Hamrun have a very organised nursery with many talented youngsters.

"Coaching will present a great challenge for me once I retire. Hopefully, my experience will benefit the club in its on-going efforts to produce more talented players."