Stefan Sultana, a former Ħamrun and Malta striker, officially retired from the game in May to bring to an end a distinguished career which saw him winning every honour the local game has to offer.

However, the most remarkable feat in Sultana's repertoire is the record tally of goals he scored in the Premier League as he found the net a staggering 197 times to establish himself as the all-time leading scorer in the top flight.

Sultana holds a special place in the heart of the Spartans fans and today they will have one special opportunity to see their darling donning the red and black shirt for one last time.

Sultana will be leading a selection, composed of the bulk of Ħamrun players so successful in the late 80s and early 90s under the shrewd stewardship of the late Victor Tedesco, the former club president.

Sultana will be flanked by the likes of Raymond Vella, Michael Degiorgio, Leo and Gejtu Refalo and English duo Barry Gallagher and Ian Leigh who travelled to Malta for the occasion.

At the other side of the pitch will be a team of former national team players of Sultana's era. Former Malta coach Pippo Psaila will be the man in charge of this formation.

"It's going to be a special occasion," Sultana told The Times this week.

"For me this will be an appreciation of my achievements as a player with Ħamrun Spartans and, moreover, of those glory years the club experienced two or three decades ago.

"Being in the same team with great players like Raymond Vella, Michael Degiorgio and the Refalo brothers again will bring back fond memories to us all. I think that all those who enjoyed those golden years at the National Stadium should not miss this occasion."

Sultana has been a Ħamrun player for almost his entire career.

Spurred on by his parents, he was introduced to the Spartans at the age of 11 and under the influence of coach Ronnie Attard, he never looked back until breaking into the senior team as a 16-year-old in a 4-0 win over neighbours Marsa in 1985.

Slowly, but surely, Sultana went on to establish himself in the team and also made his European debut the following season with his brother Konrad in a UEFA Cup match against Dinamo Tirana, of Albania.

This was the start of a successful spell for Sultana at Ħamrun as he went on to collect various honours including three league titles and four times the FA Trophy.

"I'm very fortunate to have been part of one of the most successful period in the club history," Sultana said.

"Victor Tedesco was a central figure in all that as he always succeeded in bringing the best out of his players and was always on guard to make sure that none of us was affected by any sign of complacency.

"I really used to enjoy playing in that team. With players like Vella, Degiorgio and Gallagher around, it was easy to score goals. Besides, we were followed by hundreds of passionate fans who used to fill the ground for every match... those memories will remain with me forever."

Despite his goal-bonanza, Sultana was only once top scorer in the Maltese league, in 1992. However, winning the FA Trophy 12 months before ranks among his best achievements.

The other finalists were fierce rivals Valletta. After a dramatic 3-3 draw in the first match, Sultana scored twice in the replay to help his team to a 2-1 win.

"Valletta were our biggest rivals in that era. Every match against them was a huge spectacle as the ground would be packed with fans and the atmosphere was unique," Sultana reminisced.

Sultana's spell with the Spartans was temporarily halted in 1998 when he joined Hibernians with whom he spent three years.

But his affection for his first-love was too strong and it was no surprise that in 2001 he rejoined the Spartans for the last stage of his career. By that time, however, Ħamrun had hit rock bottom.

"The past few years have been rather difficult for the club but I still enjoyed my time there," Sultana said.

"My biggest disappointment was last season when we were relegated on my last match as a player. Although we have now been reinstated in the Premier League, nothing will make up for the sadness I felt on the day when we were mathematically doomed."

Sultana will not part with football though. At present, he is head coach of the Ħamrun nursery, along with his former team-mate Marco Grech, and is also manager of the senior team.

"I was always interested in coaching and I've been forming part of this nursery for the past seven years now. I always wanted to give something back to the ones coming up at our club and I feel that at this level we have improved significantly in recent years.

"This season I'm also team manager with the first team. It's a new experience but I'm really looking forward to it.

"Ħamrun Spartans have always been a central figure in my sporting life and I want to keep it like that for the rest of my life."

The programme of activities today starts at 7 p.m. The testimonial kicks off one hour later.

Part of the proceeds from the income today will go to charity organisation Puttinu Cares.