1922 - start of the Amateur League

The 1920s was a period of instability for local football.

Before the First World War, because of the influence of the Services, the game was confined to the area around the Grand Harbour. By the mid-1920s, however, the game had started to creep out into the towns and villages until it reached the farthest parts of the island.

Places like Rabat, Żejtun, Qormi, Birkirkara, and even Gozo, started to form their own teams.

The administration of the game, however, did not keep pace with the spread of the game and as a result, the 1920s were marred by arguments and disputes between the Malta FA, its clubs and the stadium's management.

As the novelty of the game started to wear off, the people began to lose interest, and for a time there were even fears for the game's very existence.

Yet the game's hold on the Maltese was too strong to be broken so easily and, when everything seemed to be lost, help came from an unexpected quarter when the Amateur League was formed.

This championship gave junior players an opportunity to compete in an atmosphere of sportsmanship and fair play away from the pressures and squabbles of the professional game.

In these healthy surroundings a new generation of footballers was bred which was to play a huge part in the development of the game in Malta.

Two leagues

The Malta Amateur Football Association was formed on November 27, 1922. In the first sitting, delegates of 11 teams were present. At first, it was proposed that only six teams would play in the league but then agreement was reached to organise a second league. This motion was also passed and the two leagues were started soon afterwards.

League One was played at the Empire Sports Ground on Sunday mornings. It was composed of the Lyceum, the University, the Banks Sports Association, the Dockyard Clerical Staff and the Malta Eastern Club.

League Two was played on Sunday afternoons at the same venue.

We only know the names of three teams in this league - the Constitutionals, of Paola, Speeders and Sliema Juvenites.

From what little information can be gathered, it seems that the Amateur League was very keenly contested because many First Division players also found the time to turn out for the competition.

In later years, the Amateur League was to gain in popularity as more teams were formed and Sunday mornings at the Empire Sports Ground were occasions to remember.

The atmosphere of fine sportsmanship was so pronounced that many deemed it proper to take their female companions to the ground.

Old-timers used to say that even the most hardened thugs and bullies used to bite their tongues and doff their hats to the ladies on Sunday mornings.