Paul Vassallo

Louis Azzopardi writes:

The passing away of former Rabat FC and Valletta FC player Paul Vassallo was announced on Friday. Paul, who hailed from Mtarfa, was 89 years old.

Pawlu tal-Imtarfa, as he was so affectionally known amongst us, was such a likeable and friendly person that it was impossible not to befriend him. It was only two days before his demise that I visited him at the Mtarfa Home where he has been staying for the previous few weeks.

After the early street football, the trend during those years, he was already showing that he had a lot of talent with the ball at his feet. Upon starting school, he was drafted straight into the school team and his great desire for the game made him stand out from the rest of the boys.

He soon attracted the attention of the Rabat FC committee and was invited to join their Under 18 side. But the beginning of his career was interrupted when World War II broke out. When the war was over and football restarted, he made his debut for Rabat FC’s senior side in the first post-war 1944-45 season.

His impressive displays soon attracted the attention of the First Division teams, but it was Valletta FC that won his signature. This materialised after some pressure from his brother-in-law, who was from Valletta. He signed for Valletta FC at the start of the 1945-46 season. With Valletta he won the 1947-48 League Championship and the Coronation Cup in 1952-53.

After 90 games and 23 goals for the Citizens, where he also scored the 2000th goal since the start of the MTA League, Paul returned to Rabat FC for the 1955-56 season for the sum of Lm300. He ended his career with the Magpies at the end of the 1960-61 season.

He made 57 appearances for Rabat FC, scoring six goals.

From these columns, on behalf of all Rabat Ajax FC and Valletta FC fans, I would like to offer my condolences to Paul’s family, relatives and friends. God grant him eternal peace.