Malta – ranked 32nd. This season was probably the best ever in the history of Hamrun Spartans. It was also the sorry end of the great 4-years spell of Rabat Ajax. Invisible in the lower echelons were clubs like
Naxxar Lions and
Vittoriosa Stars.
Mosta won the Second Division championship and was happily promoted. Back: S. Muscat, M. Chircop, S. Cuschieri, E. Tabone, J. Degiorgio, M. Ciantar, R. Borg, G. Muscat, P. Vella II, C. Schembri. Seated: L. Deguara, E. Buhagiar, P. Vella I, J. Attard (coach), A. Gatt, J. Busuttil, M. Muscat. Inset: I. Galea, F. Sant.
Birkirkara ended 2nd in the Second Division and also earned promotion.
First Division was more interesting at the bottom than at the top. But what is ‘bottom’? The Maltese First Division was tiny, the smallest in Europe – just 8 teams. Thus, almost everybody was in danger of going down. Four teams were considered candidates for the title before the start of the season – half the league! Reality was different.
Tarxien Rainbows was last, pretty much expected – they got just 3 points, absolute outsiders. But the other relegated team was considered a title contender before the start of the season – Rabat Ajax, the reigning champions and going through great spell already for 4 years. Internal troubles, however, brought them down – they finished 7th with 12 points and plummeted down to Second Division. Interestingly, they finished with positive goal-difference: 21-13. Only two teams had it better.
Up the table, it was mostly battle for survival and teams took places mostly according to the moment they managed to get themselves together.
Hibernians escaped by a point – they ended 6th with 13 points.
Slightly better, Zurrieq and Valletta FC, considered both title contenders before the start of the season, managed to climb up, but no more than fighting each other for second place. They finished with 16 points each and Zurrieq had far better goal-difference. But goal-difference did not count and play-off was staged – perhaps experience was the decisive factor here: Valletta FC prevailed 2-1 and got silver medals.
The champion was decided rather early – Hamrun Spartans were strong from start. To a point, it was surprising performance – Hamrun Spartans were not considered among the favourites before the opening of the season. It was fantastic run of the underdog: 11 wins, 3 ties, not a single loss, 25-6 goal-difference, 25 points. Overwhelming superiority and well deserved title, which was their 5th.
Perhaps it was lucky signing of imported player – the English striker Barry Galagher proved a formidable addition to the squad. He spent years in the lower English leagues, but was great for Maltese club.
Hamrun Spartans, invigorated by Galagher, reached the Cup final as well, where they met Sliema Wanderers. The final almost enraged fans, because it was scheduled on Sunday morning and lacked entertainment. The Spartans quickly got 2-0 lead and after that mostly kept the Wanderers at bay. Yet, their opponents tried to turn the game around and managed to score a goal in the second half. But no more and Hamrun Spartans won 2-1 and got the Cup. It was their 3rd.
Not sure, but possibly that was the Hamrun Spartans squad which won a double, their first. Fantastic season indeed, in which they did not lose any games and were vastly superior to all opponents.