Shadows from the past 595. Guzeppi Sammut - Il-Baqqu

A valid player with a great passion for the game

I cannot really explain why but 1920 to 1930 is the period in the history of local football that fascinates me most.

Maybe it is because it seemed to be such a happy and carefree time to live in after the hardships and tribulations of the war.

It could also be because during that period football was still played in the spirit and way it was intended to be.

It takes only a photograph of that era to tingle my imagination. I really love the way Maltese footballers posed before the camera with their jet-black hair plastered back with brilliantine and with shirts laden with medals.

The 20s were the age of the giants. The Maltese treated men like Ruggieru Friggieri, Frankie Busuttil, Kaneni Cauchi, 'Gejta' Azzopardi and Englishmen George Rule and Archie Caunter like icons.

Another name to emerge from that glorious era, although perhaps not as well-known as the others, was that of Guzeppi Sammut, Il-Baqqu.

When I was a youth in the 1960s, one could see this jovial character at the Gzira stadium during weekends where he spent most of his spare time watching football from early morning till late afternoon.

Although I did not know him personally, I have a vague memory that once he was pointed out to me by someone who used to work with me at RAF Luqa. My friend described him as one of the most talented players of the 1920s.

Joe Griffiths, in his popular series 'Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star', wrote that Sammut had a notebook in which he stored information about the games he played in.

It makes me wonder if this notebook still exists, maybe tucked away in some old drawer. Documents of this kind could throw a light and fill some of the gaps in the records of that era.

A well-built man, Sammut was the perfect clubman. A smiling cavalier, loyal and always ready to fill any role in the team as long as he was playing his favourite game. He gave everything for his team right up to his last ounce of energy.

Potential outside-left

Sammut started his career way back in 1917 with a team from Valletta known as St Patrick's FC. Packing a tremendous shot in his left boot, he was snapped up by Valletta United as a potential outside-left.

Later on he was moved to left-back or left-half, a position more suited to his somewhat heavy frame.

During his time with Valletta United, Sammut played against such famous players as centre-half Colombos 'Il-Pike', inside-right Mattocks, centre-forward Carmelo Cristiano and inside-left Sant 'Ta' Jonos'.

In 1923, Guzeppi joined Sliema Wanderers with whom he won the Cassar Cup when the Blues beat the Gordon Highlanders 3-1 in the final.

After just one season, however, he returned to the capital with Valletta Rovers. Later he rejoined Valletta United where he stayed up to 1932 when the Citizens won the league.

Football in Valletta was at a premium that season and to make matters worse, the trouble that littered their Cassar Cup semi-final against the Worcestershire Regiment led to the club being disbanded.

Sammut found himself without a team. He was by now getting on in years but rather than retiring, he remained active in amateur circles.

His love of the game never wavered and in 1935 he joined Hibernians, helping the Paolites through the difficult transition from a leading amateur club to one of the best on the islands.

Sammut retired some time in 1937, leaving behind memories of a fine player, a great sportsman and, above all, one of the most likeable characters in the history of Maltese football.