Most of Birkirkara's early history was spent in that uncertain region between promotion and relegation.
Until quite recently, the Stripes had found it very difficult to hold a place in the top sphere of Maltese football.
Today, it is a different story. However, many times in the past they built a solid team but it was never strong enough to hold its own among the top clubs.
The early 70s, however, the sun seemed to be shining on them. This was one of the best eras in their erstwhile turbulent history. In 1970-71 they narrowly lost promotion to the First Division but the following season they pooled their experience to win a merited place in the top flight.
That season, the Stripes also had a good run in the FA Trophy. After beating Qormi in the first round they edged Gzira United 1-0 in the quarter-finals. In the semi-finals they faced Hibernians in what was perhaps the best match of the competition. The Stripes stretched Hibernians to the limit before surrendering to a great header from Hibs' half-back Freddie Delia.
In 1971-72 Birkirkara finished fifth in the First Division. By their standards, this could perhaps be classified as a good position. At least, their most optimistic fans could reason that they managed to keep their place in the top flight.
In 1972-73 things improved considerably. For once, the Stripes figured prominently among the challengers for the league title. At first, Floriana showed all the signs of running away with the championship, but, in the last match of the first round, Birkirkara pulled off an unexpected, but welcome, victory against the Greens which threw the competition wide open.
Floriana went through a bad patch which reached its peak when they lost against Gzira. In a couple of weeks they found their position at the top of the table seriously threatened by Birkirkara.
The Stripes gained further ground when Sliema beat Floriana but they failed to profit from their rivals' hesitation. They lost to the Wanderers and had to surrender their top place in the table.
Fortunately for them, Floriana also lost to Valletta. Therefore, the situation was more or less restored to its former status.
At the end, Birkirkara and Floriana finished with equal points at the top of the table and had to meet in a play-off to decide the destination of the title.
The enthusiasm in Birkirkara knew no bounds. Their supporters prepared long and hard for the encounter but they were disappointed. The Stripes forfeited their claim to the title after losing the eventual decider with Floriana.
Further misery awaited Birkir-kara in the FA Trophy final. Despite being firm favourites to win their first major honour, Birkirkara lost 2-0 to Gzira.
During the next two seasons Birkirkara were once again deeply involved in the relegation battle. Somehow, however, they avoided the drop but in 1975-76 they could not postpone it further and they were relegated.
Birkirkara seemed destined in those days to keep going up and down between the First and the Second Division.
A look at the following table will give readers a good idea why the Stripes were given the nickname of the 'Yo-Yo' team of Maltese football.
1975-76 - relegated from the First Division.
1976-77 - promoted from the Second Division.
1977-78 - relegated from First Division.
1979-80 - promoted to the Premier League for the first time.
1980-81 - relegated to the First Division.