Malta. The 1982-83 season was remarkable at least for one club. Down the line, it was business as usual – St. Patrick and Birkirkara finished at the top of Second Division and got promotes.
Rather predictably, Zebbug Rangers was the hopeless last in First Division – they got only 2 points from 2 ties, losing all other games; scored pitiful 5 goals, allowing 33 in their own net – to show the inadequacy of their performance, the second worst defensive record, belonging to Rabat Ajax, was 19 goals – but they also the 2nd highest scoring record (20 goals) and finished 3rd. True, the league was tiny – only 8 teams – but still there was a very lowly outsider.
The second relegated team was quite of a surprise: Sliema Wanderers traditionally is one of the most successful Maltese clubs. Relegation is hardly associated with them, but… they finished 7th with 12 points and down they went. Curiously, they finished with positive goal-difference – 14-11 and +3 was actually the second best achievement this season.
Valletta edged Rabat Ajax on better goal-difference (+2 vs +1) and finished with silver, but the truth was the season was dominated by one team and nobody came even close to challenging the leaders.
And what a season they had! 10 wins, 4 ties, and not even a match lost. 24-4 goal-difference. The next team in the final table was 8 points behind.
Hamrun Spartans won their 4th title in grand style. But it was not all – they also reached the Cup final and left no chance to Valletta, beating them 2-0.
This was the 1st Cup Hamrun Spartans won, so it was fantastic season – obviously soaring above the rest, they won their first double, leaving no doubt about their supremacy. And what timing – this was the 75th anniversary of the club. They really marked the occasion with the best season in the club’s history.