Naxxar Lions F.C.

Last updated
Naxxar Lions Football Club
Full nameNaxxar Lions Football Club
Nickname(s)The Lions
Founded1920;104 years ago (1920)
ChairmanAngelo Pullicino
ManagerGeorge Vella
League Maltese Premier League
2023–24 Maltese Premier League, 6th

Naxxar Lions Football Club is a professional football club from the town of Naxxar in northern Malta.

Contents

Their historical and arch-rivals are Mosta FC. A match between Naxxar Lions and Mosta FC, is known as the derby of the north, but because there are other derbies in northern Malta it is also known as the Northern Classic.[ citation needed ]

History

Naxxar Lions Football Club is a football club from the town of Naxxar in the northern part of Malta. Founded in 1920, it was the first football club in the north of Malta.

The club had a very positive period in the 1940s and after some years languishing in the lower divisions, the club had several years of glory. In 1946 they secured promotion on the top flight division after winning the decider against Ħamrun Liberty. [1] Michael Zammit Tabona was appointed president in the 1980s, establishing the club as one of the best on the island, playing for several years in the Maltese Premier Division. After being relegated from the top league at the beginning of the new century, the club had to face a difficult period and was relegated to third division a few years ago.

Following the recent successful seasons Naxxar Lions were promoted from 3rd Division to 2nd Division in season 2009–10, from 2nd Division to 1st Division in season 2010–11 and maintaining 1st Division status in season 2011–12 placing in 6th position. In the 2012–13 season Naxxar Lions gained promotion to the Maltese Premier League with Dione Drago as the president. After three consecutive years in the Premier League, they were relegated back to first division. The following season, Naxxar Lions gained again promotion to the Maltese Premier League under the Presidency of Pierre Sciberras.

In September 2017, Mr Yahya Kirdi took over Naxxar Lions Football Club and was appointed as president. Naxxar Lions were relegated to the first division in the last match of the Premier League. During Season 2018–19, against all odds, Naxxar Lions FC managed to finish in the 4th place of the First Division League.

Pierre Sciberras was re-appointed the club President for Season 2019-20 which ended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 situation, finishing 4th place. Naxxar Lions FC played Season 2020/21 in the BOV Challenge League, with the league ending early due to COVID (6th position with two matches less).

Naxxar Lions FC celebrated the 100 Years Anniversary (1920–2020). Angelo Pullicino was appointed as Club President in December 2020. During Season 2021–22, the club played again in the Challenge League and finished in the top 4 (4th).

Naxxar Lions FC played in the BOV Challenge League (Season 2022–23). In January 2023, Naxxar Lions reached the Championship Pool target, finishing 2nd place. On March 12, Naxxar Lions FC were promoted to Premier League.

Club Committee

Technical Staff

Current squad

As of 22 January 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.Pos.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Matthias Debono
3 DF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Nikolai Micallef
4 DF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Ryan Mercieca
5 DF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Fernando Barbosa
7 MF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Mark Fenech
8 MF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Neil Pace Cocks
9 FW Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Pablo
10 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Edson Farias
11 MF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Daren Falzon
12 GK Flag of Japan.svg  JPN Makoto Kikushima
13 FW Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Liam Farrugia
14 DF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Ayrton Senna Azzopardi
15 DF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Ryan Gilmour Cassar
No.Pos.NationPlayer
16 FW Flag of Colombia.svg  COL Robinson Blandón
17 MF Flag of Japan.svg  JPN Takuma Yamaguchi
18 FW Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Joel Ellul
19 MF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Jayden John Bonanno
20 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Elizeu
22 MF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Wilian Marcilio
23 FW Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA Maicon
26 MF Flag of Japan.svg  JPN Yasukaze Ito
29 FW Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Neil Demanuele
33 DF Flag of Brazil.svg  BRA João Moura
99 GK Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Andriy Vella
— GK Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Andre Fenech

Honours

1st Division Champions: 1987–88, 1993–94, 2012–13

2nd Division Champions (2nd level): 1945–46

2nd Division Champions (3rd level): 1986–87

3rd Division Champions: 1985–86

2nd & 3rd Division Knock Out Cup Winners: 1985–86

3rd Division Knock Out Cup Winners: 1971–72

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References

  1. ↑ Baldacchino, Carmel (29 April 2021). "Naxxar Lions and Ħamrun Liberty battle for honours". SportsDesk. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
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