Players join the Army during wartime

During the first World War, many Maltese footballers took the King's shilling and joined the King's Own Malta Regiment of Militia.

Jobs were scarce in those days and the Army provided them with the chance of earning steady wages and at the same time play football, more or less on a semi-professional basis.

As a result, the Militia had some of the best local talent of that era in its ranks. Their exploits in the United Service League are part of the myths and legends of Maltese football.

The same thing happened during the Second World War when the majority of Maltese footballers were conscripted in the Army.

Most of them were engaged with the RMA which made the Maltese regiment a formidable football outfit. After the war, having experienced the benefits of a career in the Services, it became a trend for locals to join the Army.

Every morning, on practically every parade ground from St Elmo to St Andrew's, one could see familiar faces who had entertained local football fans at the stadium during weekends.

Keen, smart and trim, new recruits went through the first stages of Army life with the enthusiasm and keenness of a scout on his first jamboree.

It was indeed a sight for sore eyes which made one long for one's youth when bones did not creak with the slightest exertion.

Practically every day, in the 40s and 50s, one heard about players who had joined the Army. Clubs did not take too kindly to this migration.

They feared that once they joined the colours, their players would become first and foremost the property of the Army but there was nothing they could do.

Jobs were lacking and the clubs could not afford to keep players on their books as professionals.

Famous Maltese players like Salvinu Schembri, Gejtu Sacco, Sunny Borg Cardona, Lofaro, 'Tichy' Grech, Tony Vella, 'Zabu' Spiteri and 'Dindu' Bartolo were among the first to join the ranks of the Royal Malta Artillery.

After the initial fuss, things quietened down a bit and when the clubs realised that Maltese players would not after all be impeded from playing for their civilian clubs, they breathed easier. In no time at all, every top division club on the island had a handful of service players on its books.

After the first batch of players enrolled with the Army, others followed suit. These included such big names in local football circles as Tony Cauchi and Freddie Vella James. of Floriana, Gejtu and Romeo Paula, of Hamrun, Gatt, of Hibernians and Rabat FC's Zahra.

With football always given preference on our island, this flood of footballers into the Army was a prominent topic of conversation among soccer enthusiasts. Many people questioned the sudden cause of this shift.

One sure point was the security offered by the Army as a good reserve to fall on after one's playing days were over.

Having been in the Services myself, I can vouch that once in the Army, one had to abide by the rules and discipline of a life in uniform.

Yet, despite the gruesome and terrifying pictures comic books tend to paint of sergeant majors, life in the Services had its advantages.

Being young, the comradeship, the barrack room jokes and everything else that went with it made a welcome change from the dreary everyday life of the average youngster of that era.

Footballers were always a privileged bred in the Services. They were groomed and feted like icons by the establishment and they received privileges which we, lesser mortals, did not even dream about.

The stars were picked and with the Command XI or for the Pick Services XI in mind, they trained daily on a semi-professional basis and travelled extensively with the team to play football.

Having been in the RAF myself, I can testify for all this.

I cannot think of another job, especially in those difficult days, which trained you physically and mentally, taught a trade, helped you advance with your schooling and at the same time encouraged you to play football as a semi-professional.

One thing was certain. Those who were in the Services were the best-trained and disciplined players in the league.