Sporting spirit of Ħamrun FC supporters

It often happens that football supporters are in the news because of hooliganism and rowdiness but otherwise these are not lauded in anyway. It is pertinent to point out that at times it is just individuals and not the whole group that create disturbances at the stadium and it is a pity that rules being as they are, the whole bunch of supporters are scolded and the actual club is penalised for havoc created by just a few imbeciles. And it is therefore very appropriate also to praise the whole group of supporters when they are lauded for something very well done.

A case in point is the Ħamrun Spartans Football Club supporters. The club has always been known to have a very staunch following and their supporters have always been known as a group large in numbers, colourful, and one of great merriment and great enthusiasm. But these supporters are also well known for their loyalty to their team, which they follow and steadily support even when it is not passing through a glorious moment.

And this loyalty has now been officially recognised through their being awarded the Coke Zero Supporters Award.

After successfully placing themselves in the finals of the FA Trophy, losing the game only through a very controversial goal in the last minutes of the match, Ħamrun Spartans have been meritoriously awarded with the Best Supporters recognition for the season 2007-2008. The award was presented during the Melita Digital Malta Football Special Awards organised by Events Services and was presided over by Clyde Puli, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Education, Culture, Youth and Sports. Awards were given for different roles and categories of players involved in matches during the season. Among the most awaited and coveted award for clubs is that of the Coke Zero Supporters award sponsored by General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd. The receiver of this award is chosen by a panel of persons involved in local football and also through people's contribution via SMS.

There was strong competition for this award this year especially by Valletta and Birkirkara who both have a strong supporters' contingent but finally Ħamrun Spartans were awarded for the great support they enjoy and the loyalty of the supporters to the team.

And rightly so, because the type of sporting spirit the Ħamrun Spartans supporters showed during the final against Birkirkara is something to be recorded as unique and as an example to follow. Not only did they cheer their players throughout the match, but they stayed on to cheer even when the game was over and lost. Usually most supporters of other teams start to leave the stadium as soon as they feel that their team is losing the game. Not so Ħamrun's supporters. They stayed put, cheering their players to the last minute, giving them a great ovation when it was all over. And even after leaving the stadium they continued with their merriment, hooting horns and chanting all the way from Ta' Qali to Ħamrun.