Excellent player in football and waterpolo

The 20s and 30s were noted for the number of all-rounders in Maltese sport. It was an era when an amateur athlete was called upon to play soccer, swim, sweep an oar, play tennis and hockey without uttering a murmur and, of course, without gaining a shred of a financial reward for their efforts.

Those were the good old days of sport when most disciplines including, up to a certain extent football, were still untainted by the head-spinning smell of money.

In that particular era, Maltese sport was graced with some great individuals. They took part in competitions simply for the joy of sport, whether it was football, athletics or for that matter any other event.

One of these popular personalities was Gino Azzopardi.

He was one of that rare breed of sportsmen who distinguished himself in both football and waterpolo.

During summer he played as goalkeeper in Sliema United's waterpolo team and come winter, he turned out regularly as a forward for the football teams of Sliema Rangers and Sliema Wanderers.

Azzopardi was one of the best waterpolo goalkeepers on the island and in 1928 he narrowly missed being selected for the national team that took part in the Amsterdam Olympics.

As a footballer, Azzopardi excelled at inside-left where his calm and elegant type of football were greatly appreciated.

Tall and well-built, he was rather timid in his approach. Some even said that he was too dainty for the hurly-burly type of football played in the 20s, especially in professional circles. His natural skills, however, were equal to those of some of the best players.

He could dribble an opponent on the proverbial six-pence and spray out inch-perfect 30-yard crosses to both his wing-men. This, coupled with his uncanny ability to shoot accurately with either foot, made him one of the best amateurs of all-time.

Azzopardi first appeared on the local scene in 1920 with Sliema Rangers. One of the founder members of the famous old amateur club, he took part in the 1920-21 league championship.

In 1921-22 he joined Sliema Wanderers as an amateur. That season saw the start of the great rivalry between Sliema and Floriana. The Greens won the championship but they did not beat the Wanderers, the match between them finishing in a7 one-all draw.

The two teams, however, were destined to meet again in the Cousis Shield final. Azzopardi was one of the best players on the field on May 14 and 22, 1922 when the two teams locked horns in two 1-1 draws.

Everyone was eagerly awaiting the second replay but the Malta FA decided to hold the game at the start of the 1922-23 season. The Council also decided that for the final the teams were to use the same players as in the first replay.

Since Sliema had just signed Ruggieru Friggieri from Floriana they did not accept the decision and on the day of the match they did not turn up at the Empire Sports Ground.

Floriana were, therefore, awarded the shield. Thus, Azzopardi lost the opportunity of adding a Cousis Shield medal to his sports trophies collection. Azzopardi was the perfect gentleman both on and off the field and could smile even when faced with defeat.

He was, however, a keen competitor no matter what game or what level of the sport he was playing in and he could always be relied upon to give his very best for the team.

For many years he played for the Banks Sports Association Football Team, winning various honours in the Malta Sports Association Football League.

Azzopardi died in 1972 leaving behind him many fond memories of the great amateur era of Maltese football and waterpolo.