There were times during the 1998-99 league campaign when it appeared that Valletta’s dream of winning a third successive championship would elude them.

In that campaign, the Citizens lost three times to rivals Birkirkara and drew 0-0 against Rabat. These setbacks threatened to thwart their claim on the title.

Valletta were plagued with injuries and suspensions at that particular time and after so much success in recent years their motivation seemed lacking.

In fact, it was probably the great rivalry with Birkirkara which kept the team going.

At the end of it all, Valletta clinched the league and laid a serious claim for the title of team of the century.

With the championship trophy proudly displayed in their showcase, Valletta turned their attention to the FA Trophy.

The competition that season produced some fine football and plenty of goals. In the earlier rounds, Tarxien Rainbows managed to reach the quarter-finals but at that stage they were well and truly beaten by Floriana.

Hamrun Spartans had a good run in the tournament. They beat Gozo FC 4-2 in the first round and then overcame fellow relegation candidates St Patrick 2-0 in the second round.

In the quarter-finals, the Spartans were unlucky to meet Valletta. However, despite the difference in standard between the two teams the Reds were determined to give the Citizens a good run for their money.

At the end of normal time the score stood at 2-2 and it was only in extra-time that Valletta managed to score two more goals to progress further in the competition.

Tough draw

After their poor show in the league, Sliema Wanderers pinned their hopes on the FA Trophy.

As luck would have it they were drawn against Birkirkara in the quarter-finals and a tremendous battle was anticipated. The punters were proved correct because at the end of 120 minutes of tough, gruelling football the tie remained locked at 3-3.

Then, in the penalty shoot out, luck favoured Birkirkara who moved into the semi-finals.

Therefore, the semi-finals pitted Valletta with Floriana and Birkirkara with Hibernians.

In the first encounter Valletta found little opposition from their neighbours and marched out winners by three goals to one.

The Paolites stretched Birkir-kara to the limit.

Hibs did most of the running in this close and tough encounter. However, it was Birkirkara who scored first, Michael Galea slotting the ball home on 70 minutes.

Finding themselves faced with elimination Hibs staged a great revival. They attacked with all their forces but it was only a last-minute humdinger from three-quarter pitch by Roderick Baldacchino which took the game to extra-time.

Birkirkara then had Drasko Braunovic sent off for a second booking but luck did not desert the Stripes because seven minutes later Galea scored again to take them to the final.

The final did not really live up to expectations. It was closely contested with both teams showing the tension, which underlined their rivalry.

Birkirkara had managed three victories over Valletta in the league but they could not make it a fourth. At the end of 90 minutes the score was still locked at 0-0 and after the first 15 minutes of extra-time there was still no break in the deadlock.

However, at the start of the second period, Valletta made the decisive strike when Nenad Veselji took a rebound and hammered home the winner.

Fine saves by Valletta goalkeeper Reggie Cini ensured that his team would seal the double.

Rounding off the season with a second encounter against Birkir-kara in the space of four days, Valletta acquired their third major trophy of 1998-99 by adding the Super Cup to their trophy cabinet.

The Stripes made a fight of it and it was only a last-minute strike that saw Valletta avoid a penalty shoot-out.

After only eight minutes Mark Galea gave Valletta the lead. To their credit, however, Birkirkara did not let the game slip away. They came back with a vengeance and Velibor Matanovic scored the equaliser.

From then on the game could have gone either way but when Cini suffered an ankle injury and had to be replaced Birkirkara may have sensed a change in their luck.

It was not to be however, and 12 minutes from time a Karl Bonnici free-kick surprised the Birkirkara defence and Veselji was on the right spot to score the winner.

Thus City ended the season three times champions in succession and triple holders of the league, FA Trophy and Super Cup.