THE EXCITING STORY OF FOOTBALL IN COSPICUA

Did you know that the small town of Cospicua, Malta, is home to the oldest football club in the country? It all began in the late 1800s when British soldiers stationed in Malta brought football to the island. The soldiers loved playing football during their free time, and local boys in Cospicua were fascinated by the game. They watched the soldiers play at the Verdala Barracks and were eager to join in.

St George’s F.C. (Cospicua, St Andrews),1895

St George’s FC — winners of the 1916–17 League Championship, defeating Sliema Wanderers 4–0 in the first-ever title decider. Source: Times of Malta

One day, an officer noticed the enthusiasm of these young Maltese boys and gave them a football of their own. Excited, they started their own team, named Santa Margherita. Soon after, other teams like St Andrews and St George’s were formed. In 1890, these teams merged into one club called St George’s F.C., proudly becoming the first official Maltese football team.

St George’s F.C. quickly made a name for itself. They played against other local teams and even took on international opponents. In 1914, St. George’s became the first Maltese team to play a match abroad, winning two exciting games in Tunis, with scores of 6-3 and 8-1! Their fame spread and they were soon facing off against British naval teams. One of the most thrilling games was against the crew of the HMS Duncan, which they won 1-0, with their star player scoring with an injured shoulder! In 1917 the Cospicua club won the local football league.

HMS Duncan

In 1947, the new Schreiber Sports Ground in Paola, built with war-time rubble from Cottonera, was electric with football excitement. The fierce rivalry between St George’s FC and Hibernians FC (who were playing on home ground) reached a boiling point during the Third Division Cup final. After a series of intense matches and controversial decisions, Hibernians were declared winners. However, St George’s won a protest, and the trophy was snatched back from Hibs, sparking outrage.

Schreiber Sports Ground in Paola

Pjazza Gavino Gulia, Cospicua. Source: Kappa Vision

The tension spilled into the streets. On July 4, 1947, in Pjazza Gavino Gulia, Cospicua, a heated argument broke out over the match. In the heat of the moment, a man named Pawlu Muscat clashed with Ċensu Ellul and his brother, Ġużeppi. Tempers flared, and later that night, Muscat returned to the arguing group, pulled out a knife, and tragically stabbed Ġużeppi Ellul. Sadly, Ellul died on his way to the hospital. Muscat was found guilty and sentenced to 18 years of hard labour. This shocking event remains the only recorded murder linked to a football match in Malta.

Over the years, St George’s F.C. produced many football legends, such as Peppi Delceppo, who played, coached, and guided the team for over 44 years. Another famous player, Cospicua-born Wenzu Mizzi, known as Il-Bagaga, began his career in the late 1920s and went on to have a brilliant run with several clubs, including St George’s.

Wenzu Mizzi

Today, St George’s may be playing in the lower divisions, but the passion for football is still alive in Cospicua. The team and its players continue to inspire the community, reminding everyone that the spirit of football is about playing fair, working hard, and never giving up. With modern players like the St George F.C. attacker Timmy Thomas, who has scored over 300 goals, making him the second-highest goal scorer of all time in Malta, St George’s F.C. shows that its legacy is far from over.

St George’s F.C. 1958

Timmy Thomas scoring a goal

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Written with reference to:

‘Illustrious career for Cospicua-bred player’ by Carmel Baldacchino. Accessed September 2024: https://timesofmalta.com/article/illustrious-career-for-cospicua-bred-player.30669
‘Result provokes murder among rivals’ by Carmel Baldacchino. Accessed September 2024:
https://sport.timesofmalta.com/?p=67520
‘Football in Malta: when the ball started bouncing’ by Griffiths, J. H. Published in Civilization, 1, 14-15, 1982.
‘ST. GEORGE’S FC’. Accessed September 2024: https://web.archive.org/web/20091027132808/http://geocities.com/geldof_99/st_geo.html
Cospicua Heritage Society-Socjeta Wirt Bormla (Facebook Page): Accessed September 2024: https://www.facebook.com/groups/238877547907813/posts/948023650326529/?paipv=0&eav=AfZZ5bqw6ictXlY4mrhziw21-L7twTPDnG3AMIPUlb5RIQhIRTORwQk8jUjgaIx8U8Q&_rdr