Louis Football Photos Nostalgia

SUNDAY 16th MAY 1948
ITALY (0) ENGLAND (2) 4
STADIO COMUNALE, TORINO, ITALY
Kick-Off: 1600 HRS - ATT: 58,000
ITALY: Valerio Bacigalupo (Torino), Aldo Ballarin (Torino), Alberto Eliani (Fiorentina) Carlo Annovazzi (Milan), Carlo Parola (Juventus), Giuseppe Grezar (Torino), Romeo Menti (Torino), Ezio Loik (Torino), Guglielmo Gabetto (Torino), Valentino Mazzola (Torino), Riccardo Carapellese (Milan) – Manager: Victorio Pozzo
ENGLAND: Frank Swift (Manchester City), Lawrence Scott (Arsenal), John Howe (Derby C), Billy Wright (Wolves), Cornelius Franklin (Stoke C), Henry Cockburn (Manchester U), Stanley Matthews (Blackpool), Stanley Mortensen (Blackpool), Tommy Lawton (Notts C), Wilfred Mannion (Middlesbrough), Tom Finney (Preston North End) – Manager: Walter Winterbottom
REFEREE: Pedro Escartin Moran (Spain)
INTERESTING NOTES
This match was part of the Italian F.A. Golden Jubilee Celebrations
The Italian players were promised 100,000 lira each for a win
Bacigalupo, Ballarin, Grezar, Menti, Loik, Gabetto and Mazzola all died in the ‘Torino Air Disaster’ within a year of this match
With George Hardwick being injured, goalkeeper Frank Swift was only told he was going to be captain 3 days before the match
John Howe became the first England player to wear contact lenses in an international match
With this win, England created a new post-war record of going through seven unbeaten games
Both this game’s captains, Valentino Mazzola of Italy and England’s Frank Swift died in plane crashes. Mazzola died with the Torino team in the Superga Air Tragedy in May 1949 while Swift, who was working as a newspaper reporter, died with the Manchester United contingent in the Munich Air Disaster in February 1958.
GAME SUMMARY
After only 4 minutes, Stanley Matthews dribbled passed full back Eliani and passed to Mortensen. His Blackpool team-mate sped down hugging the right wing goal line and from a very acute angle smashed the ball into the near side of Bacigalupo’s goal angle to open the score. But instead of demoralising themselves, the Italians went all out for the equalizer and for about twenty minutes hammered the England team in their own half. England goalkeeper made a couple of great saves in the process, but still was beaten twice, only for the ‘goals’ to be annulled for offside. By time England steadied themselves and in the 23rd minute, Matthews sent a through ball to Mortensen in their half of the pitch and the Blackpool inside forward sprinted towards the Italian goal and after beating Parola, Mortensen passed to Tommy Lawton who was running besides him and the Notts C centre forward blasted the ball into the net to give England a 2-0 lead.
After this goal, Italy hit back and it had to be England’s goalkeeper Frank Swift to save the day when he had to leave his lines to smother a shot from Gabetto after receiving from Mazzola. Gabetto was again unlucky when his back-header hit the crossbar. With this last chance for the Italians, the referee blew the whistle for half time.
SECOND HALF
The second half started with Matthews and Mortensen giving the Italian defenders a very hard time, while Tom Finney on the left wing came more into the game. At this time England had the upper hand of the game and mid-way through the half they scored another couple of goals. In the 72nd minute, Tom Finney, after receiving from Mannion, made a few strides and hammered a low left foot shot to get England’s third goal. The ‘Preston Plumber’ did it again two minutes later. Finney worked a one two with Mortensen and this time with his right foot he beat the Italian goalkeeper all ends up to give England a commanding 4-0 lead.
This last goal broke the Italian players’ hearts and manager Pozzo went down on knees on the touch line.

WEDNESDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 1971
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS CUP 2nd LEG –EMPIRE STADIUM, GZIRA, MALTA
SLIEMA WANDERERS (1) 1 - (Ronnie C***s)
GLASGOW CELTIC (1) 2 - (Harry Hood, Bobby Lennox)
Scottish giants Glasgow Celtic were drawn against Maltese Champions Sliema Wanderers when the draws were made for the Second Round of the 1971-72 European Champions Cup. From that moment up to match day, one could almost ‘feel’ the huge anticipation of the local football enthusiasts, especially those who support British clubs, that such a famous team was coming to play in Malta.
As expected, at the end of the day Celtic ran out comfortable winners with an aggregate victory of 7-1. In the First Leg at Celtic Park, Celtic won by a 5-0, and if it was not for Sliema goalkeeper Albert Pearson, the score would have been much bigger. When the Scottish team came over to Malta for the Second Leg, Albert Pearson emerged again as the hero with another great performance. But in front of an almost full capacity at the Empire Stadium, the Scots did not have it all their own way as they did in Glasgow, in fact they found themselves one down in under less than a minute when after a quick build up by four Sliema players, RONNIE C***S smashed the ball in the net to the great joy of the local supporters.
Although the bounce of the ball on the hard ground seemed to bother the Scots, they were in control for most of the time. Pearson, who was being kept very busy defending his goal, was finally beaten when in the 42nd minute HARRY HOOD connected with a Tommy Callaghan cross and headed the ball past him from close range to bring the score level at 1-1.
The second half was on a parallel pattern of the first 45 minutes, with Celtic in control and having most of the attacks, but Albert Pearson managed to keep them at bay. Despite his heroics, he was beaten a second time when in the 55th minute, BOBBY LENNOX received from Harry Hood and put Celtic 2-1 in front. After this goal Celtic played possessive football to keep control of the ball and see out the game. Both teams played in this formation:
Sliema Wanderers: Albert Pearson, Lawrence Borg, Joe Aquilina, Joe Serge, Emmanuel Micallef, Edward Darmanin, Vincent Vassallo, Jimmy Briffa, Ronnie C***s, Frans Falzon (Charles Spiteri), Edward Aquilina (Hugh Caruana)
Glasgow Celtic: Evan Williams, Jim Craig, Tommy Gemmell, Kenny Dalglish, Billy McNeill, George Connelly, Tommy Callaghan, Lou Macari, Harry Hood, Vic Davidson (Stevie Hancock), Bobby Lennox
Referee: Mr. A Komiaddes (Cyprus) - Att. 10,416
Albert Pearson was born in Rabat and played for his home town club Rabat F.C. from season 1965-66 to 1969-70, after which he was transferred to Sliema Wanderers. He played for Sliema up to the start of season 1976-77 before returning to Rabat F.C. and continued his playing career up to season 1981-82, by which time the club had its name changed to Rabat Ajax F.C. Pearson became an assistant coach at the club soon afterwards and he had an important role helping in the club’s glorious years. Albert Pearson sadly passed away at the age of 66 on the September 30, 2015.
Hereunder are a few photos from Sliema W home game against Celtic at the Empire Stadium as a tribute to Albert Pearson, who apart from being a very good goalkeeper, was a great gentleman.

65 YEARS AGO - MALTA XI CLASH ‘AWAY’ AND ‘HOME’ AGAINST C.C. CATANIA
In the space of just over four months, the Malta XI football team played 2 friendly matches against the Italian Serie A side Catania. The first encounter was played at the Stadio Cibali in Sicily on January 16, 1955, with the return match being played at the Empire Stadium in Gzira on May 19, 1955.
With 6 Floriana players in their side, the Malta XI were exchanging matters well against the Sicilian side in Catania, but ended on the wrong end of a 3-1 defeat. Unfortunately, some very controversial decisions by the referee had a bad impact on the result for the Maltese side. The turning point of the match arrived when first Malta XI had a seemingly good goal disallowed for no apparent reason, and when the score was 1-1, the man in black awarded Catania a very dubious penalty, which they converted. The Sicilians went on the win the match 3-1, with the Maltese goal coming from Floriana’s Lolly Borg. Malta XI lined up as follows: Joe Bonnici (Hamrun), Lolly Debattista (Floriana), Charles Brincat (Floriana), Joe Grech (Valletta) – sub. George Jones (Hamrun), Joe Cilia (Rabat), Tony Vella (Floriana), Salvinu Schembri (Sliema), Sammy Nicholl (Sliema), Charles Azzopardi (Rabat), Lolly Borg (Floriana), Pullu D’Emmanuele (Floriana).
The return match at the Empire Stadium came about at the time when there was another foreign team playing a series of tour matches on the island. English Third Division League (South) side Southend United were here to play 4 matches, three against local sides Hamrun Spartans, Sliema Wanderers and Floriana as well as against the Italian team Catania.
Back to Malta’s XI return match against Catania at the Empire Stadium in Malta, the Maltese team gained their ‘revenge’ with a 3-2 victory. Catania started the game on fire and hardly gave the Maltese team time to settle down. To make matters worse, they went 0-1 down early with a ‘silly’ goal. Goalkeeper Joe Alamango made a casual clearance which hit one of his team-mates and rolled nicely to striker Manente who had no difficulty in putting the ball into the net to put Catania in front. But the lead did not take long as Birkirkara’s strong and speedy Frans Bonnici soon replied to make the score 1-1. Mid-way through the first half, a strange thing happened. Catania’s goalkeeper Giano Pattini was injured and with the Italians having no substitute goalkeeper, the other visiting side Southend’s custodian Harry Threadgold took his place. Just before the interval, Malta XI centre forward Charles Azzopardi put his side ahead, but when it was thought the Maltese will finish the first half in the lead, Catania’s Franco Basseti scored the equalizer.
Both teams gave their all in the first 45 minutes and it seemed that their efforts had its effect in the second half when most of the players lacked the energy to keep up the pace. Nonetheless, in the 26th minutes Malta XI were awarded a penalty for an infringement inside the box and Lolly Debattista despatched the leather into the net to put the locals 3-2 up, a lead which they held up till the final whistle. Malta XI played with this formation: Joe Alamango (Floriana), Lolly Debattista (Floriana), Joe Cilia (Rabat), Joe Grech (Valletta), Victor Formosa (Hibernians) – sub. Emm. Borg (Birkirkara), Tony Vella (Floriana), Frans Bonnici (Birkirkara) – sub Lolly Vella (Floriana), Salvinu Schembri (Sliema Wanderers), Charles Azzopardi (Rabat), Lolly Borg (Floriana), Pullu D’Emmanuele (Floriana)

DEREK DOOLEY - THE FOOTBALLER WHO LOST A LEG ON THE FOOTBALL FIELD
Englishman Derek Dooley was a 6’ 3’’ tall, strong, quick and fearless centre forward, but his career was cut short when tragedy struck him on the field of play at only 23 years of age. The red-head striker was born in Sheffield and it was always his ambition to play for the blue half of one of the two Sheffield teams, Wednesday.
Still, Dooley started his footballing career at an early age when in 1946 he signed for Lincoln City, but he only made two appearances for them, scoring a goal in each game. The following year he signed for Sheffield Wednesday and the goals started to flow in regularly in the white and blue stripe shirt. In his first four years with the Owls, Dooley scored 37 goals in 49 games for the Reserves side and 55 goals in 38 appearances in Wednesday’s third team. Dooley made his Sheffield Wednesday first team debut against Preston North End during the 1949-50 season, but he could only make one other appearance till the end of the season. Having not played again in the first team during the following season, Dooley was recalled in the twelfth match of the following 1951-52 season against Barnsley. The Owls won 2-1 and he scored both goals. To the end of the season, he went on to score a total of 46 goals to set a new club record.
Derek Dooley, by his standards, was not so prolific the following 1952-53, although he did score remarkable 16 goals in 24 games. I am sure that such a statistic would have made other strikers proud with that achievement. But unfortunately for him his career was abruptly ended with a horrific injury. Playing against Preston North End (the team against whom he made his debut) on February 14, 1953, he collided with the PNE goalkeeper who had come out of his goal to intercept him on a long ball. Both players went collided and went heavily on the ground with the result that Dooley broke his right leg in two places. After he had the operation and had his cast removed, it was revealed that his leg had become infected and gangrene had set in. It was then decided to have his leg amputated.
In January 1971, Derek Dooley was appointed Sheffield Wednesday’s manager, but was sacked in December 1973. In 2003 he was made a freeman of the City of Sheffield. Later he was also involved with rivals Sheffield United where he was involved in various roles.
Derek Dooley did at home on March 5, 2008 at the age pf 78.

25th January 1958
Malta XI….3 Denmark XI…0
After Malta’s national team encouraging and creditable performance in their first ever international match against Austria almost a year before, the organizers advertised that our national team was going to meet Denmark for their second international encounter at the Empire Stadium in Gzira. The Maltese sporting public was delighted with this announcement and were anticipating the match with great fervour. After Malta beat the Danish side by a rather comfortable 3-0 win, the Danish F.A. denied that this was a full international match, as their team was only composed from Copenhagen First Division teams and it was not considered to be their full international side.
However, with regards to the match itself, the ground was almost full to capacity with a crowd of 16,919 and when the players came out, there was a big roar for the boys in white. The Austrian match was still fresh in the fans’ mind and the local fans expected another big show from our boys. They were not disappointed. Fielding almost the same eleven from the previous international match, Malta dominated almost the whole ninety minutes and although there were a couple of players who maybe were not at their best, there were others who compensated for a comprehensive win. I was present for the game and I can still visualize in my mind the dazzling display of left wing ‘Pullu’ D’Emmanuele. Every time he got the ball he ran rings around the Danish defence and even finished with two splendid goals. A close second was captain Salvinu Schembri.
Malta opened the score in the 11th minutes when Tony Cauchi passed to D’Emmanuele, who after anticipating goalkeeper Per Henricksen, he placed the ball into the net. After this goal, the Danes came close twice when they first hit the upright and then Victor Scerri in goal made a spectacular save from Knud Petersen. But the Maltese soon took the matter into their own hands once again and in the 23rd minute Schembri hit a thunderbolt which flew past Henricksen between the Danish posts for the Maltese second goal. The scoring was completed early in the second half when once again in the 49th minute, another Cauchi/D’Emmanuele combination finished with the latter hitting the back of the net for his second and Malta XI third goal. The Maltese kept the upper hand till the final whistle and in the end finished worthy winner for the satisfaction of all those present.
Malta Xi – Victor Scerri, Joe Bonnici, Charles Brincat, Jackie Grech, Joe Cilia, Joe Cini, Salvinu Schembri, Josie Urpani, Tony Cauchi, Sammy Nicholl, Publius D’Emmanuele
Denmark XI – Per Henricksen, E. Larsen, Verner Nielsen, Borge Christensen, Dah Ohland, Steen Blicher, Knud Petersen, Eric Jensen, Jan Hansen, Knud Lundberg, Frank Recheddorff
Referee: Sig. Vincenzo Orlandini (Italy) – Linesmen: Mr. Arthur Lentini (Malta), Mr. Joe Cassar Naudi (Malta)

MALTA FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION – SEASON 1951-52
Season 1951-52 saw the ‘Old Firm’ of Floriana and Sliema Wanderers dominating the local football scene. Floriana won their third consecutive League Championship and the Cassar Cup by beating Hamrun Spartans 2-0 in the Final. The ‘Greens’ were also winners of Division Two Section ‘B’, Division Three Section ‘C’ and Section ‘A’ of the Minor League. Meanwhile, their arch-rivals Sliema Wanderers regained the F.A. Trophy from the previous season after beating Hibernians 1-0 after the third game. In the two previous matches, both matches ended in draws of 3-3 and 1-1 respectively. The ‘Blues’ were also the Minors Section ‘D’ winners.
In a hard fought League campaign, Floriana won the league with 24 points, four points clear from runners-up Hamrun Spartans. At the bottom end of the table, Rabat F.C., who were playing their first ever top flight football, just managed to save their status by drawing their last league match 2-2 against St. Patrick’s by a dramatic last gasp penalty-kick, which also condemned their opponents to the drop.
On March 19, 1952, a very ‘competitive’ league match was played at the Empire Stadium in Gzira between Valletta and Hibernians (from which the attached photos were taken). The final result was a 1-1 draw, but the highlight of the match was a serious injury which the Valletta and Malta XI player Salvinu Schembri suffered early in the first half. Hibernians could have won the points but for a penalty save by Valletta’s goalkeeper Michael Cutajar from John Gatt’s kick.

QUEEN’S PARK IN 1957 MALTA TOUR
Scottish First Division amateur club Queen’s Park toured Malta to play a series of matches against local First Division teams as also an M.F.A. Selected XI at the Empire Stadium in Gzira. The contingent arrived in Malta on Friday, May 17, 1957.
The team was replete with amateur international players. In Scotland’s Amateurs last two international outings, ten of their players were in the Scottish side against England, and just three days before they flew to Malta, they had six players in the team which drew 1-1 against Germany at Hampden Park. Therefore, it was generally thought that the local sides were going to find it a hard task against such strong opposition. But one important factor which was going to play a part against them was the Empire Stadium hard ground, which was obviously going to favour the Maltese teams, and so it proved to be. The Scottish players never managed to master the ground conditions and maybe that was one of the reason why they could only draw three matches and losing the other two in their 5 match tour. Another drawback was that they had to play five matches in just over a week.
Queen’s Park kicked off their in their first match against Hamrun Spartans on May 18, in which they drew 1-1. The Scots opened the scoring through H. Devin mid-way through the first half, but Twanny Cassar scored the equalizer four minutes later. Att. 3628.
Just a day later, on May 19, Valletta provided the opposition to the Scottish team and the home side dominated the match for long stretches. Silvio Rapinett opened the scoring early in the game and Josie Urpani added another in the 18th minute. Early in the second half A. McEwan pulled one back for Queen’s Park, but Rapinett scored a brace to get his hat-trick and put Valletta in command. Alfred Borg sealed an emphatic 5-1 victory near the end. Att. 6254.
On Wednesday, May 22, an M.F.A. Selection introducing a few players who were on the verge of gaining their first full international cap, met Queen’s Park. It can be said that the Scots played their best match on Maltese soil to draw the match 1-1, but having said that, the Maltese wasted a lot of scoring chances to put the result to bed. The Maltese selection went ahead with a goal from Sammy Nicholl in the 10th minute, but Queen’s Park drew level five minutes from the end with a long range shot from McKinven. The M.F.A. Section fielded this line-up: A. Mizzi (Melita), J. Bonnici (Sliema W), J. Cilia (Valletta), G. Jones (Hamrun S), J. Darmanin (Vittoriosa S), A. Gollcher (Sliema W), N. Alamngo (Floriana), S. Schembri (Sliema W), T. Cauchi (Floriana), S. Nicholl (Sliema W), P. D’Emmanuele (Floriana) – L. Borg (Floriana came in for N. Alamango – Att. 3408
F.A. Trophy winner Floriana were next in line to meet Queen’s Park at the Empire Stadium in Gzira on May 25. After the Scottish side’s good performance against the M.F.A. selection in the previous encounter, it was anticipated that this game would be a very balanced affair. And that was how it turned out to be, amid some tough tackling from both sides. Floriana went ahead against the run of play when Lolly Borg scored when put through by Tony Cauchi. McKinven drew Queen’s Park level on 27 minutes and five minutes later B. Brown put the Scots ahead. From the first whistle in the second half, Floriana pressed Queen’s Park back in an effort to get the equalizer, but it was only eight minutes from time that they managed to pierce their opponent’s defence, when Lolly Borg won a tackle and passed to Pullu D’Emmanuele to smash the ball into the net for a final 2-2 draw. – Att. 4911
Queen’s Park concluded their tour on May 26 with a match against League Champions Sliema Wanderers. The ‘Blues’ were somewhat unlucky to fall behind when playing the better football, where they even failed on a couple of good scoring opportunities. In one of the Scots attacks, goalkeeper Victor Scerri allowed the ball to slip from his clutch and McKinven was on hand to score the first goal of the match. But after some persistent attacks by Sliema they managed to draw level a minute from the break. Gulinu Muscat dribbled round a defender and shot hard at goal, with the ball diverted into the net of defender Hastie. Sliema continued on top in the second half and in the 16th minute Maurice Walsh, who had come in for Robbie Buttigieg, netted to give Sliema a 2-1 win. Att. 8264

4th May 1957 – F.A. Cup Final at Wembley Stadium
Aston Villa…2 (Peter McParland 2)
Manchester United...1 (Tommy Taylor)
At the time this F.A. Cup Final was played, substitutes were still not introduced, and this could be a valid reason why the young and more quoted Manchester United team returned home empty-handed. As early as the 6th minute in the game, a packed Wembley Stadium witnessed a hard challenge by Villa star man Peter McParland on Manchester United’s goalkeeper Jeff Wood, which left United’s goalkeeper leaving the pitch on a stretcher. Centre half Jackie Blanchflower took his place in goal while Wood spent most of the first half in the dressing room for treatment. He eventually returned on the pitch just before half time in the right wing position, virtually a ‘passenger’. After resumption, he failed to make an appearance as he stayed in the dressing room for further treatment. When he finally came out it was again on the wing, but with about eight minutes to go, he resumed his position in goal. All three goals were scored late in the game with Villa’s goals coming both from McParland, (who was booed by the Manchester United supporters for most of the game) in the 68th and 73rd minute respectively while Tommy Taylor replied for United with a looping header in the 83rd minute.
In the photo Peter McParland scores his and Villa’s second goal.

Juventus have been one of the most successful teams in Italy for a very long number of years. They have won trophies galore and in the attached team photo we see them when they won the 'Scudetto' in season 1960-61. The formidable trio on the right, Omar Sivori, John Charles and Giampiero Boniperti must have been the envy of all the other Italian teams. The players in the team formation are: Standing: Colombo, Burgnich, Charles, Leoncini, Nicole, Vavassori - Squatting: Cervato, Boniperti, Mora, Sivori, Sarti.

On October 10, 1953, Rabat and Sliema Wanderers clashed in their first league match of Season 1953-54 at the Empire Stadium in Gzira. Rabat were only starting their third campaign in top flight football, while Sliema W were seasoned campaigners with a haul of trophies already bearing their name. For the first time in their history, Rabat engaged a foreign player/coach in the shape of Scottish player Donald Macdonald, and he made his debut for the 'Magpies' in this match. Rabat started the game on fire and in the 8th minute they hit the bar through Charlie Theuma. They were playing the better football and deservedly went ahead in the 26 minute through Charlie 'Grioss' Azzopardi after receiving from Macdonald. Sliema W were unlucky when on the half-hour winger Pirotta had the leave the pitch injured and the 'Blues' had to continue with 10 men. In a more balanced second half, Sliema Wanderers were more adventurous and scored the equalizer through Maurice Walsh after receiving from Tony Nicholl. Rabat could have snatched it in the dying minutes, but a flying header by Charlie Theuma just missed the post. In the below picture we see a scramble between players of both sides under the Rabat posts. Players from left to right (Rabat players in stripes) are: George Dalli, Maurice Walsh, Tony Nicholl, Walter Powell, Sammy Nicholl (hidden), Roger Spiteri and Rabat custodian Anthony Micallef.

Malta played their first ever international match on February 24, 1957 against the then crack team Austria, who only three years before had won Third Place in the 1954 World Cup Final in Switzerland. In their squad there was still a good number of players who formed part from the World Cup squad. Before the gates were opened at the Empire Stadium in Gzira, there was already around 3,000 spectators queuing up at the various entrances of the ground. The gates were opened at noon and by 2 p.m. the stadium was packed to it's capacity of around 18,000 spectators. People could also be seen crammed on the roof tops and balconies of the surrounding high buildings, and the scene was beautifully set for an entertaining afternoon. From the moment Italian referee Sig. Vincenzo Orlandini led both teams out on to the pitch at 3.15 p.m. and to much later after the final whistle, the roar and cheering of the crowd never ceased. After all this was our first international match and I am glad to say that together with my dad, I was one of the spectators present for this historical football match. The match itself was a non stop affair, with chances going both ways, although at times the class of the Austrians was evident. But the gallant Maltese players played their heart out throughout the game and nobody would have grudged them if the match ended in a draw, instead of a narrow 2-3 defeat. Austria led 1-0 at half time by an unfortunate Joe Bonnici own goal. By the time the Austrians went 2-0 up, Sammy Nicholl hit the post with their goalkeeper beaten and Tony Cauchi went very close when he lobbed over Engelmeier in the Austrian goal. The fast Maltese players were unsettling their counterparts, probably not expecting such a spirited display from the locals. On 72 minutes, Theodor Wagner got Austria's second goal and ten minutes from time Walter Hauemmer scored the third. From then on we all though that now it was going to be a rout, but our players had other ideas. In the 87th minute Sammy Nicholl received the ball, went past two Austrian defenders and centred for Tony Cauchi to tap into the net. The roar that followed the goal must have been heard from miles away, but there was more delirium a couple of minutes later when Sammy Nicholl received from Joe Cini, rounded defender Stotz and put the ball in the net for a final 2-3 scoreline. It was a pity that there was not much time left to the final whistle because like many other people, I think we could have drawn the match. But the joyous scenes when the game was over will remain with me until my last moments. I still have the match programme and every time I see it I say to myself I WAS THERE! The Maltese gladiators in the photos are: Standing: Joe Bonnici, Lolly Debattista, Victor Scerri, Joe Cini, Joe Cilia, Ninu Calleja - Squatting: Lolly Borg, Salvinu Schembri, Tony Cauchi, Sammy Nicholl, Publius Demanuele. George Jones replaced Ninu Calleja.

Up to the early nineties, a football player who was out of a contract with a club, was still unable to move freely to another club unless his club agreed to it. However, this all changed when in 1990, Jean-Marc Bosman contract was over and he wanted to move on from his club RFC Liege of Belgium to pastures new. His club demanded a fee which the other club interested in him could not afford, and the transfer never occurred. Bosman was stuck with RFC Liege and as did not want to continue playing for them, he took his case to court. His lawyers approached the courts a number of times for a settlement, but it was always rejected. However, in 1995, the court decided to come to a final decision that would rock the football world. The European Court of Justice ruled that clubs no longer had to pay transfer fees after the expiration of a player's contract. The decision in favour of the player was ruled because it was considered a violation of Article 39 of the EU Treaty of Rome. But a similar court case had already taken place in England in 1960. George Eastham of Newcastle United had been with the club for four years, and at the end of the 1959-60, when his contract expired, he wanted to move to another club. The club refused to let him go, so he went on a forced strike. He took the club, the FL and the FA to the High Courts, citing that a player can ply his trade wherever he chose, like any other employee outside football who wanted a change of job. Backed by the Players' Union, after a long legal process in Courts, the case was resolved in 1963, by which time Newcastle United had agreed to let Eastham leave for a fee of 47,500 pounds. This case could have brought a change of ruling benefiting player's contracts in future transfers.