Portelli – a strong and intelligent full-back

Louis Portelli came from a great sporting family.

His brother Johnnie was a goalkeeper with Ħamrun Liberty and Floriana while his youngest brother, Albert, made a name for himself in waterpolo with Neptunes.

The most successful of the Portelli brothers, however, was undoubtedly Louis. He played at full-back for Ħamrun Spartans, Floriana, Valletta, the RMA, the Pick Army and MFA XI.

Portelli learned his football at St Aloysius College. Before the war, aged only 16, he joined Ħamrun United and then joined Balzan Youths. He stayed with the Youths, then a Third Division club, for three seasons.

His next club was Birkirkara St Helena in the Second Division but it was in 1938-39 with Ħamrun Spartans that he played his first senior league football. He featured regularly in Ħamrun’s Division One B team and also played twice in the FA Trophy.

At the outbreak of the war, like many other footballers of his era, he was conscripted in the Army and during his four years of service he played with his battery team, the 8th S/L Battery RMA, the Pick Army and the All Malta representative team.

He was also selected to play for the Malta Command football team in the Allied Services Championship which were held in Italy.

After the war, Portelli played for Valletta, Floriana and Ħam-run Spartans. He was also an automatic choice for the MFA XI.

Portelli was one of those rare footballers of his era who used their brains as easily and efficiently as their feet. Tall and sturdy, he was noted for his anticipation and timing when heading a ball.

His game was characterised by his supreme confidence, splendid tackling and first-time kicking with both feet. He was also at ease playing on both flanks which gave him an advantage when his winger changed sides in an attempt to put him off his game.

In 1943-44, he formed part of the memorable Valletta team that won the coveted Malta Cup and the Cassar Cup in the same season. Then, in 1944-45, he was one of the mainstays of the team which won the first post-war league championship.

Floriana move

In 1945-46, Portelli left the Lilywhites to join Floriana, thus missing out on the chance to win a second league championship medal. However, in season 1946-47 he played in the Greens’ team that beat Valletta 3-0 in the FA Trophy final.

Season 1946-47 brought Portelli further success when he won his second league championship medal with Ħamrun Spartans. Portelli also won the Cassar Cup in 1947-48 with the RMA and again in 1948-49 with Ħamrun Spartans.

Portelli played his last game in Malta before he migrated to Detroit on March 6, 1948 when he helped Ħamrun Spartans beat St George’s 5-2.

In the United States, Portelli turned out for the Maltese-American team of Detroit, also winning the local championship. The team was managed by Frank Mifsud who later came to Malta to head the Maltese-American Association.

One of Portelli’s team-mates in the US was the well-known figure in local football circles, Harry Ear, of Hibernians’ fame.

Portelli returned to Malta in May 1976 to recuperate from two major operations. Unfortunately, the unusually incelement weather hitting Malta at the time was not kind on him at all and he had to go back to the United States where he died soon after.

Portelli was picked to play eight times for the MFA League XI against Service Representative XI’s and three times with the MFA XI against foreign clubs in the Christmas Tourney.