674. The Navy ruffle Hajduks in 1925

There was a time not so long ago when the only way the Maltese could experience football with an international flavour was in tourneys.

A friend of mine recently asked me to write a piece about the Hajduks' tour of 1925 and, particularly, about their game against the Pick Navy. It seems that my friend's long departed father had a soft spot for Navy and he used to mention this game with nostalgia.

Before the war, and right up to the end of the 1960s, Christmas-time was the peak sporting period in Malta. It was during Yuletide that long-distance swimmers would plunge into the icy waters of the Grand Harbour for a swim in aid of charity.

It was also during the festive season that boxing, always a rare sport in Malta, would be organised by the Services at the Corradino Theatre.

There was also a time after the war when hundreds of people would gather at the Floriana parade ground to watch the waiters of Balzunetta play football against the lodging-houses assistants. I do not remember such games but old-timers tell me that it was quite an occasion.

These are but a few of the sporting activities organised over the Christmas period. The highlight of the festive season, however, was always the traditional Christmas Tourney. Every year, classy European teams would forsake the bitter winters of their country to bask in the warmth of the Maltese sunshine and hospitality.

Huge crowds used to flock to the Empire Stadium in those days to see which of the local clubs could lower the colours of the visitors.

Time and again the Maltese were soundly beaten but the crowds were never disappointed. There were occasions when the mouse managed to bite the tail of the elephant and the history of the tourneys is full of colourful passages of games between clubs or service selections and visiting teams.

It all started way back in 1925, although not in Christmas time, when the first continental team visited the islands.

The visitors that year were the legendary Hajduks, of Yugoslavia. The club from Split were not only the first continental team to visit the islands but also the ones to appear most times in the tourney.

They came to Malta in 1925, 1927, 1934 and 1945. In all, they played 23 matches here losing only twice, against the MFA XI in 1925 and against Sliema Wanderers in 1934.

Since then, Hajduks have visited Malta twice more to play in European competitions.

Of all the Hajduks' matches in Malta, perhaps the most memorable, apart, of course, from the famous game against the MFA XI in 1925, was the one played in the same tourney against the Navy.

Serious incident

Before kick-off there was an incident which could have had serious repercussions.

A group of noisy sailors behind the St George's end of the ground, clambered on top of a wooden shed which served as a shelter for spectators from wind and rain.

The crowd was so big that day that the blue-jackets decided to get a 'grand-stand' view of the game.

A huge roar greeted the two teams as they trooped out of the dressing-room. The sailors, perched on the roof of the shed, stood up. There was a sudden crack and crash as the shed collapsed with its human cargo.

Amazingly no one was injured.

At the time, the Navy were considered to be the best team on the island. They enjoyed more possession in the early part of the game and forced the visitors into their penalty area.

During this time, Gazzara, of Hajduks, proved his worth as a goalkeeper and by the end of the first half, he was only beaten once from a penalty.

As soon as the game restarted, a penalty was awarded to Hajduks and they equalised. This enlivened the game and before long Robinson gave Navy the lead.

Ten minutes later, however, the visitors drew level again. The match seemed heading to a draw but 90 seconds from time, Hajduks scored another goal which gave them their only victory of the 1925 tour.