[attach id=246900 size="medium"]Norman Buttigieg[/attach]
Up to a few years ago, one of the most important positions in football was that of the libero. This role is no longer in vogue these days.
Many people seem to think that the libero is the easiest role in the game. They say that one does not need to be fast to play in that position. It is enough to simply stay behind the other defenders and sweep up any loose ball that comes one’s way.
It is true, of course, that the libero makes more use of his mind than his legs. That is why towards the end of their careers many footballers were converted into sweepers.
However, it is wrong to assume that anyone can play in that role.
The libero in the modern game must have a good footballing brain. He must be able to read what his opponents are thinking so that he could move into the best position to cut off dangerous moves and passes in his penalty area. After all, as the last line of defence, mistakes can be costly.
The modern libero is also expected to come out of his area with the ball or pass it to an unmarked colleague to start a counter-attack.
All this renders the task quite demanding. That is why, veterans make the best liberos because they usually have the necessary skills and experience needed for the job.
Not all liberos have been veterans though. Some players are so gifted that they can play in the position from the very start of their career.
One of the best Maltese liberos ever was Norman Buttigieg.
Born in Paola on February 18, 1956, Buttigieg started kicking a ball around on the playing field behind the Parish Church of Christ the King where many boys from the locality had their first taste of the game.
In 1971, the Paola District League was organised with the intention of selecting young talent for Hibernians’ youth teams. Playing for De Paule Band Club team, Buttigieg was immediately singled out as a fine prospect for the future.
The next season, Buttigieg joined a group of talented youngsters in Hibs’ U-18 XI. This group was destined to make a name for itself in the top grade of Maltese football.
He fitted perfectly in the team and when, in 1972-73, the club decided to promote the minors’ team en bloc to the first squad, Buttigieg found himself playing in the top division of the MFA league.
This was the start of a long and successful career for Buttigieg. Between 1978 and 1982 he won three league championships and two FA Trophy medals with Hibs and made the national number 5 jersey his own.
This was perhaps the greatest period in the history of the club. Hibs, in those days, had no equals. At one stage, their domination of the game was so complete that they went through 37 league games without defeat.
In 1985, after playing more than 200 first-team matches for Hibernians, Buttigieg decided to retire.
It was a controversial decision because he was still at the top of his career. He still had a lot to offer.
Then, in 1987, Buttigieg was persuaded to make a comeback with St Patrick in the first division.
It was not a good year for the Saints because, at the end of the season, they were relegated. Luckily for them , Buttigieg decided to stick it out and for the first time in his career, he played at Pace Grasso.
His experience came in handy and at the end of the season, he led the team to the second division championship and a victory in the Division Two and Three Cup final.
His successful comeback attracted the attention of Ħamrun Spartans who, at the time, were in need of an experienced libero for their Premier League team.
Buttigieg made the switch from Pace Grasso to Ta’ Qali seamlessly and, although he was not a first-team regular, he made nine league appearances that season.
Between 1990 and 1994 Buttigieg was on the books of Ħamrun but he did not play any competitive matches. Instead, he helped on the coaching side.
In 1994-95, he returned to active football with Marsaxlokk in the second division.
Buttigieg stayed with the Seasiders for two uneventful seasons before he joined Luxol for two more years before he retired to take up coaching at youth level.