Former Melita full-back Bencini dies

George Bencini, son of Ġanni Bencini, passed away in the early hours of yesterday.

Everyone knows the story of how Ġanni Bencini was coaxed by his sons to form the famous amateur club Melita. There were three of them, each one a fine footballer in his own right. Karl, Victor and George were all Melita products and like their father, they were renowned for their sportsmanship and loyalty to the club.

George was the youngest of the trio but he soon started to catch the eye with his clever play at left-back.

Born in 1919, he started competitive football with the minors in 1936-37. It did not take him long to establish himself in the first team for the 1938-39 FA Trophy competition. He marked his presence by scoring two of Melita's four goals in the final against Sliema Wanderers.

During the war, George Bencini played for the 1st KOMR, in the Command Senior League. He was selected to play for the Pick Army and the Pick Infantry on a number of occasions. His prowess on the field of play also earned him a slot in the MFA XI squad.

A strong tackler and an accurate passer of the ball, George could play in any position and during his career with Melita, Ħamrun Spartans and Malta he was utilised in defence, half-back line and up front as the circumstances dictated. His best position, however, was full-back where his electric runs on the wing could be best exploited.

Full-backs did not score many goals in those days. The full-back position, before and after the war, was purely defensive and players in that role hardly ever ventured beyond the centre-line, let alone score goals. George Bencini, however, was an exception.

He liked to push forward during a match. In fact, he is also remembered for the goal he scored for MFA XI in a one-all draw with SK Austria in the 1947-48 Christmas Tourney.

SK Austria came and conquered all opposition with double figure scores but not against MFA XI.

A crowd of over 25,000 was present at the stadium when the Austrians faced the MFA XI. Nobody gave the locals a chance but they rose to the occasion and for once the Austrians were held.

Occuirk put the visitors ahead after 22 minutes. Everyone expected an avalanche of goals to follow but 11 minutes into the second half, Bencini hit home from a Salvinu Schembri cross.

An all-round sportsman, Bencini also took part in athletic meetings with his army unit.

He was a member of the table tennis team that won the Command tournament in the 1940s. He also took second place in the Malta Command motorcycle trial race in 1944-45.