A crowd of 7,000 for a friendly game of football

These days, a crowd of four or five thousand would be considered to be a good attendance for a league game. There were times, however, when that number was quite common for friendly matches.

Attendances at the National Stadium have continued to shrink every season, with, I am sorry to say, no sign of improvement. Maltese football has to compete with televised English and Italian league matches and, of course, the Champions League. There are also other ways of spending one's Saturday night than watching a game at Ta' Qali.

Why?, I ask myself, do we persist in staging matches on Saturday evenings when the majority of the Maltese take a night out with the family.

Or why do we have to start a game at 8 p.m.?

Why don't we shelve the double fixture and hold only one match on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays with the game starting as early as possible to give the fans the opportunity to watch their favourite foreign team on television or go out with the family?

Is it that difficult for the MFA to listen to the groans of the Maltese public?

Having said that, let us look at today's story which takes us back to 1938 when a huge crowd of 7,000 paid good money to see a friendly match between Sliema Wanderers and the Pick Navy. This game was characterised by a serious injury to Malta's number one goalkeeper Wenzu Gabaretta who was playing for the Navy.

Although billed as a friendly this game was played in the best competitive spirit.

Nicholl-Friggieri rivalry to the fore

It was a fast game with the ball swinging from end to end at neck-breaking speed. Tony Nicholl, then at the prime of his career, was involved in a personal battle with the Navy centre-half, Censu Friggieri of Floriana.

The two old rivals did not surrender an inch but in the 20th minute, the Sliema centre-forward managed to break through the opponents' rearguard to open the score for the Wanderers.

The sailors tried hard to level the account but it was the Blues who scored again. Falzon took the ball on the trot and sent in a hard drive which hit the inside of the upright before it rebounded into the net.

When the game resumed, the Navy set up many promising moves but the Blues' defence gave them very little space. At the other end, Gabaretta was frequently called into action.

Then, three minutes from the end of the half, a fine move between Pawlu Friggieri, Leli Cauchi and Burns ended with the latter beating Edwards all ends up.

The Navy started the second half on the attack and Harry Edwards did well to save twice in quick succession from Burns and Watson.

The Wanderers attacked again and a good move between Sammut and Nicholl ended with the ball going out to Azzopardi who shot over. Then, Gabaretta saved well from Salvu Sammut and from the resulting clearance the ball went straight to the other end where Burns just failed to profit from the opportunity.

In the 65th minute, Falzon sent in a perfect centre for Sammut who scored with a perfect drive to the right of Gabaretta.

A few minutes later Gabaretta brought off a magnificent save from Sammut but fell awkwardly with his head tucked beneath him. It was a miracle that he did not break his neck. Still, it was a serious injury which laid him low for many weeks.

Gabaretta was carried away and Burns took his place in goal but the incident seemed to upset the players. The sting had gone out of their play.

The end found the Wanderers in the middle of a half-hearted attack and still leading on their merits by three goals to one.

For the Record

November 14, 1938 - Gzira Friendly match

Sliema vs Navy XI 3-1

Sliema Wanderers: H. Edwards, J. Edwards, E. Borg, R. DeCesare, Sammut, O. Sansone, K. Azzopardi, S. Sammut, T. Nicholl, Pace, Falzon.

Navy XI: W. Gabaretta, Edds, Braddle, Webb, V. Friggieri, Stock, Rowbottom, Watson, Burns, P. Friggieri, L. Cauchi.