Siġġiewi F.C. is a football club from the village of Siġġiewi in Malta. Founded in 1945, it currently plays in the Maltese National Amateur League. Their home kit colours are red and yellow.
The first football team in Siggiewi was formed in 1945 by a group of amateurs, who used to play casual football in a field at Ta' Kandja.[1] Reggie Pace, Ninu Mallia and Freddie Curmi were the main promoters of the game.[1] Mr Emilio Camilleri, who had settled in the village during the war period and was an influential person within the circles of the Malta Football Association,[1] helped the team to be admitted in the third division of the Maltese Football League for the 1946–47 season.[2]
Siġġiewi's first ever match was a friendly match against Pioneer Corps in 1944. Siġġiewi won the match two-nil.[2] Siġġiewi made their competitive debut on 11 November 1945 in a match valid for the Anglo Maltese Minors Cup. Siġġiewi, who back then used to play in red shirts and white shorts, faced Vittoriosa Rovers and lost heavily by the score of five-nil.[2] Almost a year later, specifically on 13 October 1946, Siġġiewi debuted in the Maltese third division under the name Siġġiewi United. Siġġiewi faced Sliema Amateurs and the latter scored three goals without reply from Siġġiewi.[2]Siġġiewi United participated in the 1947–48 season, which ultimately was the last time the team played under that name.[2] Indeed, after sitting out the 1948–49 season,[2] Siġġiewi participated in the 1949–50 season, however this time under the current name of Siġġiewi F.C.[3]
The team continued to play in the Third Division for many years until, in 1970–71, they won one of the sections of the Third Division for the first time and were promoted to the Second Division. They won the Third Division again in 1973–74 and 1989–90. In the 1996–97 season, Siggiewi FC were promoted for the first time to the First Division, the second tier of the Maltese football league system. Siġġiewi plied their trade in the First Division for just two seasons, as they reverted to the lower divisions after 1998–99, where they have remained ever since.
Mr Karmenu Vassallo was the first president of the club, and he retained the post for the next eight consecutive years.[1] Mr Nicholas Pace was chosen as the first secretary.[1] Thereafter, these postes were held by several other persons. For instance, Gozitan-born Mr Anthony Buttigieg, served as president for 23 years and in 1987 he was nominated honorary president for life. Mr Reggie Pace and the well-known sports personality Mr John Debattista, both occupied the post of secretary for many years.[1]
In 1972, Siġġiewi FC managed to obtain on lease the land at Hesri, where the present Siggiewi Ground now stands.[1]
As part of the MFA programme of assisting member clubs and affiliated associations to improve their facilities, the association's President Norman Darmanin Demajo inaugurated a synthetic pitch at Siġġiewi which will serve the locality's footballers, including the youths and youngsters in the nursery, in their development. The synthetic pitch was inaugurated during the 2010/2011 season.
Present for the ceremony were Siġġiewi F.C President and Committee, Robert Musumeci (former mayor of Siġġiewi) and Clyde Puli (former parliamentary secretary for youth and sport).
Siġġiewi is also the mother club of its nursery, the Siġġiewi Football Club Youth Nursery. The youth nursery, caters for children aged between 5 and 16 years, was established in 1992 and is affiliated with the Malta Youth Football Association. The youth nursery participates in the under-15 league organised by the Malta Youth FA.
Note: The same squad number may be used by more than one player. If that is the case, the last player who have used the number is assigned with it.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
^ Siġġiewi, as winners of Section A, faced the winners of section B, Għargħur, in a play-off to determine the overall winners of the Third Division. Siġġiewi lost the match by three goals to two[5] and therefore ended as runners-up.
^ abcdefgCarmel Vella, SIĠĠIEWI (Città Ferdinand) - A Profile of History, Social Life and Traditions (Malta, 2002)
^ abcdefCarmel Baldacchino, Goal - The Official Encyclopaedia of the Malta Football Association; Volume 3 - The Good and the Lean Years (1936-1949) (Malta, 2014)
^Carmel Baldacchino, Goal - The Official Encyclopaedia of the Malta Football Association; Volume 4 - The Fifties, a Period of Consolidation (1949-1959) (Malta, 2015)
Donald Buhagiar
Mougnini Tape
Didier Sohna
Marko Nikolic
