Senglea Athletic F.C.

Senglea Athletic Football Club is a professional Maltese football club based in Senglea. Founded in 1943, the club currently plays in the Maltese Challenge League.

Senglea Athletic
Full nameSenglea Athletic Football Club
Nickname(s)L-Isla, Senglea, Yellows
Founded22 March 1943 (1943-03-22)
PresidentNeil Carter
ManagerDennis Fenech[1]
LeagueMaltese Challenge League
2020-2021relegated

History

Senglea Athletic Football Club was founded in 1943. It took over from the former Senglea United club, which had been formed in 1921 following the demise of Senglea Shamrocks.[2] After the Second World War the club began to compete in the Second Division (today's Third Division) organised by the Malta Football Association.

Apart from moments of success and happiness, this club also had his disappointing moments. For many times this club had to play in the lowest divisions of Malta.

The most moments of glory and happiness occurred in the mid-70's when the club was promoted to the second division, and later on to the first division. For a number of successive times Senglea Athletic F.C. were declared champions of the second division.

For another time, in 1981, the club was promoted to the Maltese Premier Division.[note 1] During that season, Senglea Athletic made history when they contested in the final of the MFA Trophy, while being in the Maltese First Division. The club was very near to participate in the European Cup Winners' Cup, but unfortunately the final against Floriana F.C. ended in a 2–1 loss for Senglea Athletic F.C. During that time the president for the club was Walter Clinch.

From that time onwards Senglea Athletic F.C. passed through some very bad moments due to financial crisis. But then in the year 2000, they got back to their feet and were promoted from the Maltese Third Division to the Maltese Second Division, together with Msida F.C. During that time the president for Senglea Athletic F.C. was Reno Chirchop.

The next year, Senglea Athletic F.C., this time again with Msida F.C., were promoted to the Maltese First Division. During that time the president for Senglea Athletic F.C. was Dr. Vincent S. Zammit. The club's aim of competing in the Maltese Premier League took a step backwards, when during the 2008–09 season they were relegated to the Maltese Second Division. During the season 2009–10 Senglea Athletic finished in the 9th place, just a position above the relegation play-offs.

Kit

The home kit of Senglea Athletic F.C. consists of the primary colours of Senglea, yellow and red. The manufacturer of the kits is Givova, while the main sponsor is Palumbo Shipyards.

Current squad

Senior Squad

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.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  MLT James Pisani
2 DF  SRB Dejan Kukić
3 DF  MLT Joseph Attard
5 DF  MLT Zachary Cassar (on loan from Birkirkara)
6 DF  MLT Alan Abela
7 MF  MLT Firas Aboulezz
8 MF  MLT Brandon Mangion
10 MF  FRA Ronny Song
11 FW  FRA Freud Gnindokponou
12 GK  MLT Matthew Farrugia
15 MF  JAM Ricardo Martin
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 FW  MLT Jan Tanti
18 MF  COL Luis Riascos
19 FW  MLT Daneel Abela
20 MF  MLT Andre Scicluna
21 DF  NGA Sergio Uyi
24 FW  CMR Dibola Junior
28 DF  MLT Luca Brincat (on loan from Gżira)
29 GK  MLT Dorian Bugeja
30 MF  MLT David Xuereb (on loan from Hibernians)
89 FW  MLT Junnior Batata
99 FW  SVN Roy Rudonja

During the 2007/08 season Senglea were crowned champions of Section D of the MFA Youth League, and thus they were promoted to Section C.

The following season also proved to be a successful one for the Senglea boys. Apart from finishing 4th in Section C, taking into consideration that this was their first season in this level, they also managed to reach the semi-final of the Youth Knock-Out B, where clubs from Sections B, C and D take part. In the semi-final they lost 5–1 to the Section B club, Qormi.

During the season 2011/12 Senglea were crowned champions of Section C, and therefore gaining promotion to Section B. They also managed to reach the semi-final of the knock-out once again. They were eliminated by the designated champions Balzan Youths.

Statistics
Year Division Level Position (Participating Teams) Points Gained / Maximum Points
1997/98 Maltese Third Division Section B43rd (7)/
1998/99 Maltese Third Division Section B44th (7)/
1999/00 Maltese Third Division410th (15)/
2000/01 Maltese Third Division42nd (16)/
2001/02 Maltese Second Division32nd (12)/
2002/03 Maltese First Division23rd (10)/
2003/04 Maltese First Division24th (10)/
2004/05 Maltese First Division24th (10)28 / 54
2005/06 Maltese First Division25th (10)27 / 54
2006/07 Maltese First Division25th (10)27 / 54
2007/08 Maltese First Division24th (10)31 / 54
2008/09 Maltese First Division210th (10)8 / 54
2009/10 Maltese Second Division39th (12)25 / 66
2010/11 Maltese Second Division310th (12)19 / 66
2011/12 Maltese Second Division313th (14)15 / 78
2012/13 Maltese Third Division41st (14)68 / 78

Honours

Club

Individual
  • Senglea Athletic Football Club
  • Senglea Athletic Football Club Badge
  • Senglea Athletic Football Club Youth Nursery Badge

Footnotes
  1. Prior to 1980, the top level of the Maltese Football League was known as the First Division, however it was renamed the Premier League and has stayed so since, with the First Division (formerly known as the Second Division) one level lower.

References
  1. "Clive Mizzi appointed coach at struggling Senglea Athletic". The Malta Independent. 26 October 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
  2. Baldacchino, Carmel (2 April 2009). "The fore-runners of Senglea Athletic". The Times of Malta.
  3. "Melita Digital Malta Football Awards 2007/08 – The Finalists". www.maltafootball.com (in Maltese). Retrieved 2008-06-08.
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