Carmel Baldacchino wrote a very interesting article on the late Alfred Vella James, a Floriana FC stalwart, on January 16 (Sha-dows from the past, 916).

In his write-up, Mr Baldac-chino hailed Vella James’s ability to score from deep-lying posi-tions and penalties.

“He was also an excellent penalty taker. In fact, as far as I could ascertain, he never missed from the spot,” Mr Baldacchino wrote.

For the record, Vella James did miss a penalty in season 1961-62.

Floriana won all their 14 league games that year, scoring a massive 43 goals.

In the second round, Floriana met rivals Sliema Wanderers on April 15, 1962.

At the time, the Blues were going through a negative patch and began to gradually introduce some of their promising young-sters.

Against Floriana, they fielded new players among whom was goalkeeper Alfred Debono.

Set on extending their proud record, the Greens went on the attack. Lolly Borg’s shot came off Buttigieg’s arm and referee J.F. Galea awarded Floriana a rather dubious penalty.

Vella James took the spot-kick but Debono, then only 18, saved the shot of the Floriana player.

Floriana emerged 2-0 winners as late goals by Cauchi and Ala-mango broke the resistance of the Blues youngsters.