The notorious season at Manoel Island

In years gone by, the matter of gate money had always been a source of trouble. The problem had deep roots. Football is a money-making game but to fully exploit its potential, one must have the necessary infrastructure.

Before the opening of the National Stadium at Ta' Qali, the MFA never had a say in the running of the ground. Its role was simply that of an intermediary between the owners and the clubs in the annual wrangle over the distribution of the profits.

Hardly a season went by without the usual pre-season disputes between the two factions. However, the trouble that hit the game during the summer of 1965 had no precedent in the history of the game on our islands.

For once, the clubs stood up for their rights and, led by then MFA president Eugenio Bonello, they refused to budge an inch from their demands.

Long discussions were held but no solution could be found. At the end, the clubs decided not to play any more at the Stadium.

It was a brave decision but it still left the MFA without a venue for the forthcoming season. Eventually, the newly-formed National Sports Board came to the rescue and offered the MFA the use of the ground at upper Manoel Island.

Unfortunately, the ground was not up to standard. It sloped a little to one side.

There was no adequate seating for the public and, above all, it lay at the mercy of all kinds of winds which sweep the island throughout the year. Security was at a minimum and the spectators could jump onto the pitch whenever they fancied. During that notorious season, three first-class matches had to be abandoned because one of the teams walked off the ground. The farce reached its peak in the last match of the MFA League when it was the turn of Valletta to leave the pitch.

But beggars can't be choosers. There was no alternative and the clubs had to make do with whatever was available. It was either that or accepting the crumbs offered by the Stadium Management.

Wednesday, September 29, 1965 was a red-letter day in the history of local football. For the first time in 75 years, a Maltese club played on a ground owned by the clubs themselves. The occasion was Floriana's home match against Borussia Dortmund in the European Cup Winners' Cup. Before the match, Bonello made an inaugural speech to a large crowd which attended, eager to satisfy its curiosity on the state of the new ground.

The league championship that season was won by Sliema Wanderers who were undoubtedly the dominant force in local football at the time.

Already league champions in seasons 1963-64 and 1964-65, Sliema completed a glorious triple at Manoel Island. Apart from the championship, the Blues also won the Scicluna Cup, the MFA League and the Minor League.

The FA Trophy that season was won by Floriana who beat Hibernians 2-1 in arguably one of the most one-sided finals in the history of the competition.

The game was dominated from start to finish by the Paolites but in the end, it was the Greens who lifted the trophy thanks to a last-minute goal scored by 'Wee' Hughie Caruana.

Mixed fortunes

Manoel Island brought mixed fortunes to Valletta. On the positive side, the Whites won the Cassar Cup in an entertaining match against Sliema Wanderers.

Playing above their abilities and aided by an opportunistic hat-trick from Charles Zammit, they beat the Wanderers 3-1.

On the negative side, Valletta were suspended until the end of the season and had to apply for re-election to the Third Division. The Citizens incurred this punishment after walking off the pitch four minutes into the start of their MFA League game against Sliema after the latter were awarded a dubious penalty.

Coming less than four days after two similar fiascos, the MFA this time decided to take drastic action. On Saturday, March 19, Birkirkara left the ground during the game against Valletta and the next day Floriana did the same after a free-for all with Sliema players.

It was a harsh but justified decision which left many wondering why the MFA did not take the same action against Floriana and Birkirkara.

The case created a lot of controversy and great pressure was made on the MFA to revise its decision. At the end, the council relented and Valletta were forgiven.

karm_bald@yahoo.co.uk