Hamrun Spartans
Encyclopedia
Ħamrun Spartans Football Club is the football
team of Ħamrun. The name Spartans is Greek name from Sparta
, town in Greece
. The team won the Maltese First Division
in 2006-2007. Following the promotion to the Maltese Premier League
the Spartans finished in 6th place in 2007-2008 and have managed to stay in the top division since.
Since being founded in 1907, the Ħamrun Spartans have won a total of seven league championships. They have also been runners-up eleven times.
One of the stalwarts in the club history, Stefan Sultana
, has scored a total of 252 goals in his career (whereof 225 while playing for Ħamrun Spartans), which makes him Malta's top-scorer (per May 12, 2007).
A new team, Hamrun Liberty was formed and in just a couple of years, Hamrun Liberty were among the elite of Maltese soccer. On their return to the First Division in 1946-47, the club changed its name to Hamrun Spartans. They were soon a hit as they won the Johnnie Walker Championship Trophy, winning also the Cassar Cup. They won the Cassar Cup again in 1948-1949 season. For four times between 1947 and 1952 they were four times runners-up.
The team started dwindling down in the 60's until they were relegated in the season 1969-70. After returning to the First Division, they were relegated once again in 1973-74. However after two years in the Second Division, they were back in the First Division.
On the 75th anniversary, in season 1982-83, the club was back at the top winning the title after an absence of 36 years. Hamrun also managed to win the FA Trophy during that season. That was the beginning of an era under the guide of president Victor Tedesco. The team was strengthened with top players like Gigi Salerno, Raymond and George Xuereb, Edwin Farrugia, Raymond Vella, Joe Brincat and Carlo Seychell. Alfred Cardona was their coach. After a lot of disputes with the Immigration Division, Victor Tedesco managed to sign two foreigners, Englishmen Peter Hatch and John Linacre - the first foreigners to play on the island after a long period of time.
The Spartans set a new record being the first local team to win both the home and away legs in a UEFA competition after beating Ballymena of Northern Ireland. In a decade, Hamrun managed to win three league titles, three FA Trophies, the Super Cup and Euro Cup twice each.
After such successful campaigns, the Spartans faced financial difficulties. The team had to transfer its best players until finally they were relegated to the First Division in 1998-99. After one year, they were promoted back to the Premier League after winning the Division 1 title.
The last four seasons were years of ups-and-downs. They were relegated to Division 1 at the end of season 2003/2004, winning promotion as First Division champions in 2004/05, being relegated in 2005/06 and winning the First Division championship once again in 2006/07.
From season 2007/2008 Hamrun Spartans where back on the right track for fighting for honours. During the season 2007/2008 Hamrun Spartans met all their objectives and even more ended up in the final of the F.A. trophy against Birkirkara F.C. losing with honours in the last minute by a 1 goal difference. This season was also a great success to its supporters after winning the Malta Best Support Award.
Seemingly having been strengthened in several departments, Hamrun Spartans aimed to challenge for a place in Europe the following season. Yet, the team failed to reach the championship pool. In the relegation pool Hamrun started with an excellent 3-0 win over Msida St. Joseph, then suffered a shock 1-5 defeat against Tarxien Rainbows. Four points over the next three games were not enough to reach safety, and in the final game a depleted Hamrun side was easily defeated by Qormi FC. With Tarxien and Msida also reaching 16 points following the draw between them, Hamrun Spartans were relegated on the worst head-to-head record. Fortunately for Hamrun Spartans, the corruption cases resulting involving Vittoriosa Stars
and Marsaxlokk
meant both "relegated" teams remained in the Premier Division for the 2009-2010 season.
The 2009-2010 season Hamrun Spartans made success because they finished in the eight position of the Maltese Premier League with the last game was in the Relegation Pool against Msida with the final result was a draw of 2-2. Hamrun Spartans are also still in the semi-final of the F.A Trophy
Eleven times runners up. (11)
Four times runners up. (4)
Fatos Daja
Miguel Corbolan Cesar Paiber
Daniel Dengaky Peter Barnes
Barry Gallagher
Peter Hatch
Ian Leigh
John Linacre
Tony Morley
Jimmy Rimmer
Orazio Sorbello Alex Azzopardi Roderick Bajada
Graham Bencini
John Bonello Joe Brincat
David Camilleri
Edwin Camilleri Michael Degiorgio
Ryan Fenech
Carmel Formosa Marco Grech Jonathan Magri Overend
Charlo Magro Arnold Micallef Geatano Refalo Leo Refalo
Kevin Sammut
Charles Scerri
Sean Sullivan
Stefan Sultana
Dybrill Sylla Raymond Vella George Xeureb Ivan Zammit
Sylvano Comvalius
Bobby Mitchell
Malcolm Robertson
Paul Maddy
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
team of Ħamrun. The name Spartans is Greek name from Sparta
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
, town in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
. The team won the Maltese First Division
Maltese First Division
The Maltese First Division is the second-highest division in Maltese football, behind the Maltese Premier League and above the Maltese Second Division. The league has been running for many years.12 teams take part in the league...
in 2006-2007. Following the promotion to the Maltese Premier League
Maltese Premier League
The Maltese Premier League, known as BOV Premier League for sponsorship reasons , is the top level league for football in Malta. The league was first competed in 1909...
the Spartans finished in 6th place in 2007-2008 and have managed to stay in the top division since.
Since being founded in 1907, the Ħamrun Spartans have won a total of seven league championships. They have also been runners-up eleven times.
One of the stalwarts in the club history, Stefan Sultana
Stefan Sultana
Stefan Sultana was a professional footballer, who played the majority of his career for Ħamrun Spartans as a striker. He also had a three-year spell with Hibernians...
, has scored a total of 252 goals in his career (whereof 225 while playing for Ħamrun Spartans), which makes him Malta's top-scorer (per May 12, 2007).
History
Hamrun Spartans were founded in 1907. By season 1913-14, Hamrun Spartans were already an established team on the local scene winning the title during that season thanks to a better goal-average than St. George's. Their second League success came four years later when they finished again in joint top-spot with St. George's. This time the Spartans were crowned Champions of Malta by beating them in a play-off. Hamrun's top player at that time was Gejtu Psaila, known as il-Hacca. In the 20's and 30's, the club went through a difficult period as most Hamrun players left to join other clubs.A new team, Hamrun Liberty was formed and in just a couple of years, Hamrun Liberty were among the elite of Maltese soccer. On their return to the First Division in 1946-47, the club changed its name to Hamrun Spartans. They were soon a hit as they won the Johnnie Walker Championship Trophy, winning also the Cassar Cup. They won the Cassar Cup again in 1948-1949 season. For four times between 1947 and 1952 they were four times runners-up.
The team started dwindling down in the 60's until they were relegated in the season 1969-70. After returning to the First Division, they were relegated once again in 1973-74. However after two years in the Second Division, they were back in the First Division.
On the 75th anniversary, in season 1982-83, the club was back at the top winning the title after an absence of 36 years. Hamrun also managed to win the FA Trophy during that season. That was the beginning of an era under the guide of president Victor Tedesco. The team was strengthened with top players like Gigi Salerno, Raymond and George Xuereb, Edwin Farrugia, Raymond Vella, Joe Brincat and Carlo Seychell. Alfred Cardona was their coach. After a lot of disputes with the Immigration Division, Victor Tedesco managed to sign two foreigners, Englishmen Peter Hatch and John Linacre - the first foreigners to play on the island after a long period of time.
The Spartans set a new record being the first local team to win both the home and away legs in a UEFA competition after beating Ballymena of Northern Ireland. In a decade, Hamrun managed to win three league titles, three FA Trophies, the Super Cup and Euro Cup twice each.
After such successful campaigns, the Spartans faced financial difficulties. The team had to transfer its best players until finally they were relegated to the First Division in 1998-99. After one year, they were promoted back to the Premier League after winning the Division 1 title.
The last four seasons were years of ups-and-downs. They were relegated to Division 1 at the end of season 2003/2004, winning promotion as First Division champions in 2004/05, being relegated in 2005/06 and winning the First Division championship once again in 2006/07.
From season 2007/2008 Hamrun Spartans where back on the right track for fighting for honours. During the season 2007/2008 Hamrun Spartans met all their objectives and even more ended up in the final of the F.A. trophy against Birkirkara F.C. losing with honours in the last minute by a 1 goal difference. This season was also a great success to its supporters after winning the Malta Best Support Award.
Seemingly having been strengthened in several departments, Hamrun Spartans aimed to challenge for a place in Europe the following season. Yet, the team failed to reach the championship pool. In the relegation pool Hamrun started with an excellent 3-0 win over Msida St. Joseph, then suffered a shock 1-5 defeat against Tarxien Rainbows. Four points over the next three games were not enough to reach safety, and in the final game a depleted Hamrun side was easily defeated by Qormi FC. With Tarxien and Msida also reaching 16 points following the draw between them, Hamrun Spartans were relegated on the worst head-to-head record. Fortunately for Hamrun Spartans, the corruption cases resulting involving Vittoriosa Stars
Vittoriosa Stars F.C.
Vittoriosa Stars Football Club are a Maltese football club from the town of Birgu, which currently played in the Maltese First Division.-Current season:The club is taking part in the BOV 1st Division of the Malta Football Association....
and Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk F.C.
Marsaxlokk Football Club is a Maltese football club from the town of Marsaxlokk, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League. The club was founded in 1949...
meant both "relegated" teams remained in the Premier Division for the 2009-2010 season.
The 2009-2010 season Hamrun Spartans made success because they finished in the eight position of the Maltese Premier League with the last game was in the Relegation Pool against Msida with the final result was a draw of 2-2. Hamrun Spartans are also still in the semi-final of the F.A Trophy
Current Squad
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
| Season | Competition | Round | Country | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984-85 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1984-85 The season 1984-85 of the European Cup Winners' Cup was won by Everton in the final against SK Rapid Wien. However, they were unable to re-enter Europe the next season despite winning both it and the English top division due to the Heysel stadium disaster the same year. It was therefore the last... |
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Cup Winners' Cup The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but... |
1. Round |  |
Ballymena United FC Ballymena United F.C. Ballymena United, is a semi-professional, Northern Irish football club playing in the IFA Premiership. The club hails from the town of Ballymena, County Antrim and plays its home matches at Ballymena Showgrounds. Club colours are sky blue and white. Away Colours are Red and BlackThe club was... |
2-1 | 1-0 | 3-1 |
| 2. Round |  |
FC Dynamo Moscow FC Dynamo Moscow Dynamo Moscow is a Russian football club based in Moscow, currently playing in the Russian Premier League. Dynamo's traditional kit colours are blue and white... |
0-1 | 0-5 | 0-6 | ||
| 1989-90 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1989-90 The season 1989-90 of the European Cup Winners' Cup was won for the only time by Sampdoria in the final against Anderlecht, 2-0 at Nya Ullevi in Göteborg, on 9 May 1990... |
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Cup Winners' Cup The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but... |
1. Round |  |
Real Valladolid Real Valladolid Real Valladolid Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Valladolid, in the autonomous community of Castile and León, from where the nickname Pucela is derived.... |
0-1 | 0-5 | 0-6 |
| 1992-93 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup 1992-93 The season 1992–93 of the European Cup Winners' Cup was won by Parma in the final against Royal Antwerp. Both were first time finalists in the competition, and Antwerp were the last Belgian side to reach a European final up to the present day... |
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup UEFA Cup Winners' Cup The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but... |
Qualifying Round |  |
NK Maribor NK Maribor Nogometni Klub Maribor , commonly referred to as NK Maribor or simply Maribor, is a professional association football club based in the city of Maribor, Slovenia. Founded on 12 December, 1960, Maribor is one of only three football clubs in the country who have never been relegated from... |
2-1 | 0-4 | 2-5 |
UEFA Cup
| Season | Competition | Round | Country | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985-86 UEFA Cup 1985-86 The UEFA Cup 1985-86 was won by Real Madrid on aggregate over 1. FC Köln. English clubs were banned from European football competitions for five years, with Liverpool, who had already won the UEFA Cup twice, banned for six years... |
UEFA Cup UEFA Cup The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League... |
1. Round |  |
KS Dinamo Tirana KS Dinamo Tirana Klubi Sportiv Dinamo Tirana is an Albanian football team, playing in the Albanian capital of Tirana, founded in 1950. They play at the Stadiumi Qemal Stafa which has a capacity of 25,000. Their main rivals are fellow Tirana team KF Tirana.- History :... |
2-0 | 1-4 | 3-4 |
UEFA Champions League
| Season | Competition | Round | Country | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983-84 European Cup 1983-84 The season 1983–84 of the European Cup football club tournament was won by for a fourth time by Liverpool in a penalty shootout in the final against Roma. The game had finished 1–1. Phil Neal had scored for Liverpool and Roberto Pruzzo for Roma... |
European Cup | 1. Round |  |
Dundee United Dundee United F.C. Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923... |
0-3 | 0-3 | 0-6 |
| 1987-88 European Cup 1987-88 The season 1987–88 of the European Cup football club tournament was won for the first time by PSV on penalties in the final against two-times winners Benfica... |
European Cup | 1. Round |  |
SK Rapid Wien SK Rapid Wien The Sportklub Rapid Wien is an Austrian football club playing in the country's capital city of Vienna. Rapid is the most popular club in Austria and also record title holder having won the Austrian national football title 32 times... |
0-1 | 0-6 | 0-7 |
| 1988-89 European Cup 1988-89 The season 1988–89 of the European Cup football club tournament was won for the first time since 1969, and third time overall, by AC Milan comfortably in the final against former winners Steaua Bucureşti... |
European Cup | 1. Round | |
KF Tirana | 2-1 | 0-2 | 2-3 |
| 1991-92 European Cup 1991-92 The 1991–92 season of the European Cup football club tournament was won for the first time by Barcelona after extra time in the final against Sampdoria, giving Spain its first championship trophy since 1966. The winning goal was scored by Ronald Koeman with a free-kick. This was the last tournament... |
European Cup | 1. Round |  |
SL Benfica | 0-4 | 0-6 | 0-10 |
Maltese Premier League Winners
1913-14, 1917–18, 1946–47, 1982–83, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1990–91 (7)Eleven times runners up. (11)
FA Trophy Winners
1982-83, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1991-92 (6)Four times runners up. (4)
Notable players
See Ħamrun Spartans F.C. PlayersFatos Daja
Fatos Daja
Fatos Daja is a former Albanian football defender. He earned 6 caps for the Albanian national team during 1991 and 1997.-Clubs:*1987-1992 : KF Tirana*1992-1999 : St. Patrick*1999-2001 : Ħamrun Spartans...
Miguel Corbolan Cesar Paiber
Cesar Paiber
Cesar Oscar Paiber was a professional footballer who played for Tigre, Gimnasia y Tiro, Ħamrun Spartans, Godoy Cruz, Independiente, Hibernians and Marsaxlokk, during his career he played often as a defender and sometimes as a midfielder.-External links:*...
Daniel Dengaky Peter Barnes
Peter Barnes (footballer)
Peter Simon Barnes is an English former international footballer, and the son of footballer Ken Barnes. A textbook journeyman player, he played for numerous clubs across England, Wales, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Australia, Ireland, and the United States...
Barry Gallagher
Barry Gallagher
Barry Gallagher is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Active in the Football League for three different clubs between 1977 and 1986, Gallagher made 189 career appearances, scoring 49 goals...
Peter Hatch
Peter Hatch
Peter Hatch is a retired English professional footballer who played for Oxford United, Exeter City and Ħamrun Spartans of Malta.-References:...
Ian Leigh
Ian Leigh
Ian Leigh is an English former professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper. Active between 1981 and 1992 in both England and Malta, in both League and non-League football, Leigh made over 125 career appearances....
John Linacre
John Linacre
John Linacre is a retired English professional footballer who is best known for his time spent with Hartlepool United, where he made over 200 league appearances in two spells with the club.-Career:...
Tony Morley
Tony Morley
William Anthony Morley is an English former football player who played in the Football League for Preston North End, Burnley, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City, as well as playing for other teams abroad. He also won six caps for England.-Football career:Morley was born in...
Jimmy Rimmer
Jimmy Rimmer
John James "Jimmy" Rimmer is an English former footballer who played as a goalkeeper in the Football League for Manchester United, Swansea City, Arsenal and Aston Villa. He was capped once for England....
Orazio Sorbello Alex Azzopardi Roderick Bajada
Roderick Bajada
Roderick Bajada is a professional footballer. He currently plays as a midfielder for the Maltese Premier League side Sliema Wanderers.-Ħamrun Spartans:...
Graham Bencini
Graham Bencini
Graham Bencini is a former professional footballer who last played for Maltese First Division side Tarxien Rainbows, where he played as a defender.-Sliema Wanderers:...
John Bonello Joe Brincat
Joe Brincat
Joseph Brincat is a Maltese former international football player who earned a total of 103 caps for the Maltese national team, scoring five goals. He played for many clubs including Birkirkara FC, Sliema Wanderers, and Floriana....
David Camilleri
David Camilleri
David Camilleri is a professional footballer currently playing for Maltese Premier League side Ħamrun Spartans on loan from fellow Maltese Premier League side Valletta. He plays as a midfielder.-External links:* *...
Edwin Camilleri Michael Degiorgio
Michael Degiorgio
Michael Degiorgio was a professional footballer. He played as a defender or midfielder for Ħamrun Spartans, Naxxar Lions, Lija Athletic and Marsaxlokk.-External links:* *...
Ryan Fenech
Ryan Fenech
Ryan Fenech is a professional footballer currently playing for Maltese Premier League side Valletta, where he plays as a midfielder.-Ħamrun Spartans:...
Carmel Formosa Marco Grech Jonathan Magri Overend
Jonathan Magri Overend
Jonathan Magri Overend was a professional footballer, during his career he played for Sliema Wanderers, Żurrieq, Birkirkara and Ħamrun Spartans, where he played as a midfielder.-External links:*...
Charlo Magro Arnold Micallef Geatano Refalo Leo Refalo
Kevin Sammut
Kevin Sammut
Kevin Sammut is a professional footballer currently playing for Maltese Premier League side Valletta, where he plays as a midfielder.-Sliema Wanderers:...
Charles Scerri
Charles Scerri
Charles Scerri is a former professional footballer and current manager of the Malta Under 17 side, during his career, Scerri played for Floriana, Rabat Ajax, Sliema Wanderers, Hibernians, Ħamrun Spartans, Qormi and St. Andrews. Throughout his career Charles played as a midfielder.-External...
Sean Sullivan
Sean Sullivan (footballer)
Sean Sullivan was a professional footballer and is currently goalkeeper coach for Maltese Premier League side Valletta, he played as a goalkeeper during his career.-External links:* * -References:...
Stefan Sultana
Stefan Sultana
Stefan Sultana was a professional footballer, who played the majority of his career for Ħamrun Spartans as a striker. He also had a three-year spell with Hibernians...
Dybrill Sylla Raymond Vella George Xeureb Ivan Zammit
Ivan Zammit
Ivan Zammit is a former professional footballer, currently the head coach at Maltese First Division side Balzan Youths.- Malta:...
Sylvano Comvalius
Sylvano Comvalius
Sylvano Dominique Comvalius is a Dutch professional footballer best known for his spell at Maltese Premier League club Birkirkara, where he became the club's topscorer and won the Maltese Premier League...
Bobby Mitchell
Bobby Mitchell (footballer)
Robert "Bobby" Carmichael Mitchell was a Scottish football player. His position was forward.Mitchell started his career with Third Lanark in 1942, spending seven years with the Hi-Hi before joining Newcastle United for £16,000 in February 1949...
Malcolm Robertson
Malcolm Robertson (footballer)
Malcolm Robertson is a Scottish former footballer who played as a left winger. He made his mark playing for Penicuik Athletic when he appeared in the 1970 Scottish Junior Cup Final...
Paul Maddy
Paul Maddy
Paul Maddy is a former Welsh professional footballer who played in The Football League for five clubs as a midfielder. He was born in Cwmcarn.-Playing career:...
Club officials and coaching staff
Club officials
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Coaching staff
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