Hibs’ only league and cup double

Last season Hibs went close to completing the League and Cup double but fell short at the last hurdle when they lost to Birkirkara in the FA Trophy final.

I do not want to open old wounds but I feel it’s time to remind the Paola supporters of the first and only time their team achieved the double.

The 1981-82 Premier League was started on the dry, hard pitch of the Gżira Stadium and finished on the green turf of Ta’ Qali.

Hibernians dominated the competition from start to finish as the Paolites were in a class of their own.

The challenge was there, but only in the first round, when four teams were still in the running for the title. Hibs, however, shrugged off their opponents with ease.

This was definitely the best-ever Hibs team. Between 1978 and 1983 they set a record of 37 consecutive positive league results... a record that still stands but has since been equalled by Valletta FC.

By the end of the first round, Hibs had opened a two-point lead over Floriana.

This gap continued to widen when they beat Ħamrun Spartans 5-0, while the Greens could only take a point from the 1-1 draw against rivals Valletta.

There was now no way of stopping the league leaders who continued to win one game after the other, brushing aside all opponents. They cleared the way with ease to coast home to their second successive league championship.

There is no doubt that Hibs had a great team in those days. It is hard to single out a player but, if one were to twist my arm, I would chose Ernest Spiteri Gonzi.

In a great season for him, he won the championship, the FA Trophy and Footballer of the Year award besides ending as the League’s top scorer.

Hibs were made firm favourites to win the FA Trophy in 1982. However, because of their past history in the competition, there were doubts in Paola if the team could really achieve the double.

Sticking with the same format, Premier League teams were matched with First Division sides.

As luck would have it, the Paolites were pitted with First Division champions Rabat Ajax. They were the revelation of the season and great things were expected of them.

The team was still young and in the next few seasons the Magpies, along with Ħamrun Spartans, would dominate the local soccer scene.

At the time, however, Rabat were still too inexperienced to challenge Hibernians. They tried their best but the Poalites were still good enough to pass into the next round with a clear 3-0 victory.

In the quarter-finals, Hibs brushed aside Żurrieq’s challenge to win 3-0. In other ties, Sliema beat Ħamrun with a last-minute goal, while Valletta and Floriana eliminated Senglea and Gżira respectively.

The semi-final draw paired Hibs with Floriana and Sliema with Valletta.

The Greens wanted to keep their hopes of qualifying for Europe alive. For them, however, it was an uphill battle. The champions took an early lead and then played a cautious game which took them to the final.

Sliema and Valletta gave their utmost but the tie dragged into extra-time.

The Citizens seemed to be gaining the upper hand but then Tabone scored the winner for the Wanderers.

In the final, the Paolites beat Sliema 2-0 to avenge the ghosts of past encounters.

This was the first and only time that Hibs had achieved the league and cup double.