Xewkija Tigers F.C.

Last updated
Tigers
Xewkija TigersFC.png
Full nameXewkija Tigers Football Club
Nickname(s)Tigers, Yellows
Founded1938;86 years ago (1938)
Ground Gozo Stadium
Gozo, Malta
Capacity4000
ChairmanJeffrey Farrugia
League GFL First Division

Xewkija Tigers F.C. is a football club from the village of Xewkija in Gozo, Malta. The club was founded in 1938, and currently plays in the Gozo Football League, First Division.

Contents

History

Xewkija Tigers Football Club is a Maltese football club, that was founded in 1938. However, the team did not play their first competitive match until five years after their inception. Prior to this, Xewkija Tigers had only engaged in friendly matches, primarily due to the challenging circumstances that the inhabitants of Gozo faced during World War II. It wasn't until the 1944-45 season, that the club made their debut in local competitions, marking a significant milestone in their history.

The following season, in 1945-46, Xewkija Tigers achieved their first notable accomplishment by winning the Galea Cup. They secured this title by defeating Xaghra Blue with a score of 1–0 in a match that was held on May 12, 1946. This victory was a defining moment for the club, and it set the stage for their continued success in the years to come.

In the period between 1958–59 and 1965–66 seasons, Xewkija participated in the local league under two different names, Xewkija United/Xewkija Tigers and Xewkija Rovers. The name Xewkija United was only used for a single season (1958–59), where successively the team was called again Xewkija Tigers. Whereas Xewkija Rovers continued to play as a separate team from the Tigers for some more years in the Gozo Football League, until the 1965–66 season. At the end of this season, it was decided that Xewkija Rovers should stop participating in the Gozitan league, leaving the village's representation solely to Xewkija Tigers.

Xewkija Tigers' first domestic league title came at the end of the 1974–75 season. This squad included the likes of John Busuttil, Mike Apap, Salvu Cilia, Charlie Le Prevost, Frank Mizzi, Carmel Attard, Raymond Rapa, Paul Vella, John Spiteri, Wistin Scerri, John Attard, Carmel Portelli, Benny Vella, Paul Hili, Joe Debrincat and Joe Grech. It was guided to victory under Mr. Joe Psaila, whereas the club was in the hands of President Mr. Frans Zammit Haber.

In the early 1980s (1982–83 and 1983–84) Xewkija Tigers won two consecutive league titles, together with the GFA Cup and the Silver Jubilee Cup. The team won all the titles in which the Gozitan league offered in these years. Xewkija were managed by Mr. Salvu Cilia.

Xewkija Tigers' last domestic title arrived in the 2000–01 season in a final won against Nadur Youngsters F.C. by 4–3. Xewkija were once again managed by Mr. Salvu Cilia, who left his mark in all Xewkija's league titles (one as a player and three as a coach).

After two seasons in the lowest division of the Gozo Football League, Xewkija Tigers returned at the end of the 2008–09 season after winning the Promotion Decided with contenders Xaghra United by 3–2 (starting line-up: J.Grima, S.Mercieca, J.Vella, J.Vella, J.Cefai; S.Mizzi, A.Fotso, M.Pace (P.Rapa), J.Azzopardi (J.Azzopardi); C.Bugeja, R.Buttigieg). The coach at the time was Mario Bonello.

In 2011-12 season Xewkija Tigers won the title in Gozo Football League First Division, G.F.A. Cup, Independence Cup (Malta)

In 22 December 2022 Xewkija Tigers played against Sannat Lions, Xewkija beat Sannat 7-0 [1]

Players

Current squad

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

No.Pos.NationPlayer
28 GK Flag of Serbia.svg  SRB Nikola Kosanin Koske
99 GK Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Klye Attard
44 DF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Carlo Abela
22 DF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT John Axiaq
8 DF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Josiah Buttigieg
4 DF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Josmar Vella
18 DF Flag of Serbia.svg  SRB Aleksa Božović
7 MF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Mattias Mercieca
5 MF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Dejan Bogdanovic
No.Pos.NationPlayer
15 MF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Kevin Farrugia
24 MF Flag of Serbia.svg  SRB Damir Andjelovic
23 MF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Sylvan Xuereb
25 FW Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Hayden Bonnici
45 FW Flag of Serbia.svg  SRB Sefan Tesic
9 FW Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Andrea Debrincat
10 FW Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Rodney Buttigieg(captain)
21 FW Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Denzil Bugeja

Out On Loan

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

No.Pos.NationPlayer
3 DF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT John Axiaq at St Lawrence Spurs
33 MF Flag of Malta.svg  MLT Jake Saliba at St Lawrence Spurs

Honours

First Division:

This is when the football club reigned champions with their runner-ups.
  • Champions (8): 1974–75; 1982–83; 1983–84; 2000–01; 2011–12; 2013–14; 2014–15; 2016–2017
  • Runners-up (9): 1984–85; 1985–86; 1990–91; 1991–92; 2001–02; 2004–05 2012–2013 2015–2016; 2019-2020

Second Division:

  • Champions (7): 1964–65; 1969–70; 1972–73; 1980–81; 1987–88; 1995–96; 2008–09
  • Runners-up (5): 1952–53; 1968–69; 1979–80; 1993–94; 2007–08

G.F.A. Cup:

  • Champions (11): 1983–84; 1984–85; 1989–90; 1990–91; 1999–00; 2001–02; 2004–05; 2011–2012; 2014–2015; 2015–2016; 2017-2018;

Super Cup:

  • Champions (4): 2004–05; 2011–2012 2014–2015 2015–2016 2016-2017 2017-2018

Republic Cup:

  • Champions (1): 1999–00

Gemaharija Cup:

  • Champions (1): 1989–90

Silver Jubilee Cup:

  • Champions (1): 1983–84

Independence Cup:

  • Champions (4): 1992–93; 2000–01; 2003–04; 2011–12

Freedom Cup:

  • Champions (5): 1979–80; 1980–81; 2000–01; 2003–04; 2011–2012

Galea Cup:

  • Champions (2): 1945–46; 1952–53

Challenge Cup:

  • Champions (2): 1974–75; 1980–81

Rothmans Cup:

  • Champions (1): 1987–88 (2nd Div.)

K.O. Winners Cup:

  • Champions (3): 1993–94 (2nd Div.); 1996–97 (1st Div.) 2016-2017 (1st Div),2018-2019 (1st Div.)

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gozo Football Association</span>

The Gozo Football Association (GFA) is the body that co-ordinates and organises football on the island of Gozo, Malta. Formed in 1936, it organises the Gozo Football League, which is split into two divisions, the First Division and the Second Division. It also organises the G.F.A. Cup, the Independence Cup, the Freedom Day Cup, the BOV Super Cup, the First Division Knock-Out, the Second Division Knock-Out, the Second Division Challenge Cup, the Under-21s League, Under-18 League, and the Under-15s. It also organises the Gozo national football team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">S.K. Victoria Wanderers F.C.</span> Maltese football club

S.K. Victoria Wanderers Football Club is a Maltese football club from the town of Victoria, Gozo. They were founded in 1958 and throughout the club's history, they have won the Gozo Football League First Division championship once, as Victoria United during the 1978–79 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Hotspurs F.C.</span> Maltese football club

Victoria Hotspurs Football Club is a Maltese football club from the town of Victoria, Gozo. Founded in 1948, the club has won a record of 13 First Division titles, the last one being in the 2018–19 season. The Club is popularly known by the Gozitans simply as il-Hotspurs, which when translated to English literally means The Hotspurs.

Xagħra United F.C. is a football club from the small village of Xagħra in Gozo, Malta. The club is one of the oldest clubs in the Maltese Islands since it was founded in 1936 and is named after the village. Xagħra United are currently playing in the Gozo Football League Second Division. Holders of 6 First Division Titles and 8 Second Division Titles.

The Independence Cup was a football competition that took place in Gozo, Malta, and that was organised by the Gozo Football Association.

The Freedom Day Cup was a football competition that took place in Gozo, Malta and that was organised by the Gozo Football Association.

The Second Division Knock-Out is a football competition that takes place in Gozo. It is organized by Gozo Football Association.

The Gozitan First Division, known for sponsorship reasons as the BOV GFL First Division, is the top division of the Gozo Football League, the league competition for men's football clubs in Gozo.

The Gozo Football League Second Division, known as BOV GFL Second Division for sponsorship reasons, is the second and lowest level in the Gozo Football League. The league was first competed in 1948.

The 2017–18 Gozo First Division was the 71st season of the Gozo Football League First Division, the highest division in Gozitan football. The season began on 15 September 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2018–19 Maltese FA Trophy</span> Football tournament season

The 2018–19 Maltese FA Trophy was the 81st edition of the football cup competition. A record number of 67 clubs competed in the FA Trophy, with the first round starting on the weekend of 1–2 September 2018 and concluding with the final played on 18 May 2019.

The 2018–19 Gozo First Division was the 72nd season of the Gozo Football League First Division, the highest division in Gozitan football. The season began on 14 September 2018. Victoria Hotspurs were able to defend the title won the previous season, winning their thirteenth title in their history.

The 2019–20 Maltese FA Trophy was the 82nd edition of the football cup competition.

The 2019–20 Gozo First Division was the 73rd season of the Gozo Football League First Division, the highest division in Gozitan football. The season started on 20 September 2019. Victoria Hotspurs were the defending champions after winning their thirteenth title in the previous season.

F.C. Għarb Rangers is a football club from the village of Għarb, on the island of Gozo (Malta). The club was founded in 1968.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 Maltese FA Trophy</span> Football tournament season

The 2022–23 Maltese FA Trophy, officially named IZIBET FA Trophy due to sponsorship reasons, is the 85th edition of the football cup competition, the FA Trophy. The winners of the Maltese FA Trophy will earn a place in the first qualifying round of the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League. The first round of games started on 15 November 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022–23 in Gozitan football</span> Football league season

The 2022–23 season was the annual competitive association football season in Gozo organised by the Gozo Football Association for 2022–23.

Fontana Football Club was a Maltese football club from the village of Fontana, Gozo. Following some unofficial appearances under Fontana F.C., the club was officially founded under the name St. Andrew's in 1952. After several re-organisations, the club folded for good following the conclusion of the 1968-69 football season.

The 2023–24 Gozo First Division is the 77th season of the Gozo Football League First Division, the highest division in Gozitan football. The season began on 7 September 2023.

References

  1. "Xewkija Tigers Football Club - Contact Us". Archived from the original on January 16, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2009.