The forties and fifties were extraordinary years. In that era, every team seemed to possess two or three exceptional players who could change the course of a game on their own.

Floriana, in particular, boasted some of the finest footballers in their history. The famous Ajax players were at the pinnacle of their careers. Every position in the team was occupied by a player of great experience and rare talent.

Today's article is about one of the greatest players in the history of Maltese football. Pullu Demanuele, 'Il-Koku', played many fine games in his long career and it would be presumptuous on my part to try and single out one from his vast repertoire.

However, during my many treks around football circles, many old-timers mention the 1957 Cassar Cup final as Demanuele's finest hour.

This competition was held at the end of September 1957, a time when teams are not at the top of their form.

Yet, Floriana won the competition in no uncertain manner despite having had to face Hamrun Spartans twice in the semi-finals before they met Sliema Wanderers in the final.

Floriana's triumph was indeed remarkable as they scored ten goals without conceding defeat. The Greens had a great team in those days but a lot of credit for their Cassar Cup success was due to the scintillating display of football produced by Demanuele in the final.

Rarely has a game between these two old rivals of Maltese football produced such a great individual display as was the case in that long-forgotten final.

Demanuele was in irresistible form. He never put a foot wrong throughout the game and, combining perfectly with his left-wing partner Lolly Borg, he led Guzi Bonnici a merry dance.

Things got so bad for the Sliema full-back that midfielder Ninu Calleja was detailed to offer more support to his team-mate. But it was to no avail. Demanuele was unstoppable on the day.

Sliema were only in the game for the first quarter-of-an-hour. Then, Demanuele took over. He cracked in the first goal and, two minutes later, Tony Cauchi profited from the slow reaction of the Sliema defence who stood still, waiting for the referee's whistle for offside, to make the score 2-0.

To add to Sliema's woes, Calleja missed a penalty at a time when they still could have turned the wheel in their favour.

In the second period, the Blues made an effort to save the game if anything to give their skipper Tony Nicholl, who was playing his last competitive game before retiring, a fitting send-off.

It was all futile, however, because their aspirations were shattered by Demanuele's devastating form.

The great Floriana winger rounded off the afternoon with a goal that brought the whole stadium crowd to its feet by the audacity of its execution.

Collecting a pass in midfield, he dribbled past Salvu Bonnici and fired in a terrific shot into the top corner of Victor Scerri's goal.

That was the end of the Wanderers. A sad note indeed for Nicholl who had chosen this match to wrap up his great career.

After the game, Nicholl sportingly shook hands with Demanuele and the other Floriana players and waved adieu to the crowd.

The game witnessed the end of the career of one of the best, if not the best, players in the history of Maltese football.

It was also perhaps, the finest performance of another great figure in the annals of the local game.

For the Record

1957-58 Cassar Cup - Empire Stadium

Semi-Finals
21-09-57 Floriana vs Hamrun Spartans 0-0 AET
22-09-57 Sliema Wanderers vs Valletta 2-0
Replay
25-09-57 Floriana vs Hamrun Spartans 7-0

Final
29-09-57 Floriana vs Sliema Wanderers 3-0

Floriana: A. Mizzi, L. Debattista, Mousù, Bonnett, Brincat, F. Vella James, Z. Alamango, Bonello, T. Cauchi, L. Borg, P. Demanuele.

Sliema: V. Scerri, J. Bonnici, L. Cuschieri, N. Calleja, S. Bonnici, A. Gollcher, T. Nicholl, S. Schembri, Formosa, S. Nicholl, Mattocks.

Scorers: Demanuele (2), Cauchi.
Referee: A. Lentini. Attendance: 14,314.