Victor Tedesco - in the pantheon of the Spartans

Ħamrun Spartans fans privileged enough to have lived through and recollect the glorious 1980s and early 1990s, will forever have the name of Victor Tedesco emblazoned in their heart.

What heady days, what excitement, what anxiety and what activity. The club and the town reverberated with excitement and success.

Under his presidency, the rampant Spartans swept everything before them. The records speak for themselves.

He helped Ħamrun bring four league championships to the club premises, then in Broad Street, in seasons 1982-1983, 1986-1987, 1987-1988 and 1990-1991 - four titles in the space of nine years.

Six FA Trophy victories were achieved in 10 years in 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989 and 1992 and no fewer than five Super Cups in seasons 1986-1987, 1987-1988, 1988-1989, 1990-1991 and 1991-1992.

In addition, Ħamrun also managed to qualify for the next round of a European competition when, in season 1984-1985, they eliminated Northern Ireland club Ballymena United 3-1 on aggregate, in the now defunct Cup Winners' Cup.

Ħamrun won the first leg in Ireland 0-1 and followed that with a pulsating 2-1 victory at the National Stadium.

Such remarkable achievements cannot be attributed to the success of one man alone; many others play their part, players, coaches and technical staff, committee members and supporters.

However, those of us who were there know well that the drive, the urge, the coordination and planning were all down to the inspiration of one man - Victor Tedesco.

His passion for the game raged like a wildfire, a tremendous drive and ego for success because Tedesco was an achiever, a man of vision, a go-getter who loved to be the centre of attraction and loved to be in the limelight. He was a veritable showman and all those around him basked in the same glory.

Administratively, his dream was to see Ħamrun Spartans FC build their own football stadium, a target that many brushed aside as a pipe dream. This became a reality too in the shape of what is now fittingly named the Victor Tedesco Stadium, home of Ħamrun Spartans.

Farewell Sur Victor; you have left behind a record that is very hard to emulate. You are no longer with us, but we know that on a greater plane you are now in the pantheon of the Spartans.

Albert Fenech is a former committee member of Ħamrun Spartans FC.