The 1960s were exciting years for Maltese football.
It was a time of change, a period full of pitfalls and problems for those connected with the game on our islands. They were, however, years of plenty, brimming with nostalgia for those who, like me, were lucky enough to live through that wonderful period.
The world in the 1960s went through a golden period. Football, in particular, produced such great performers as Pele, Bobby Charlton, George Best, Alfredo Di Stefano and a host of others.
Maltese football was also blessed with some of the greatest personalities in its history. Eddie Theobald, Willie Vassallo, Freddie Mizzi, Louis Arpa, Ronnie Cocks and Joe Cini were but a small part of the wealth of talent that graced our game.
Malta became independent in 1964 and our nation inherited a new sense of responsibility and an urgency to move forward. This thirst for progress could be felt in all aspects of life and it was certainly true as far as football was concerned.
The football seasons between 1959 and 1969 were crammed with new achievements. The MFA, finally, achieved its aim of organising the game on a national level and, as if to keep in step with the spirit of our new status, the game finally shed its dependence on the British Services.
Improvements were also made in the structure of the league, coaching and the standard of refereeing but as in the 1950s, in the 1960s, the game also had its bad moments.
Violence on the terraces marred the game. The situation reached its peak in 1965-66 at Manoel Island when, in a space of a few days, no fewer than three matches had to be abandoned at that venue.
The advent of television also left its mark on the local game.
Televised matches from nearby Italy affected the attendances.
The Maltese became more selective and this, together with the participation of our clubs in European competitions, led to the sudden death of some of the oldest traditions in the sport.
The old Christmas Tourney and the Cassar Cup were the first to feel the axe of change. Both events disappeared altogether from the calendar during this period.
Maybe, because I was young, or because nostalgia makes one remember only the good things, of our past for me, the 1960s were the best years of my life.
This was certainly true where football is concerned.
Malta’s early involvement in the international field in the late Fifties, Hibernians’ history-making match against Servette in the 1961 European Champions Cup and Malta’s entry in FIFA in 1967 are a few of the many milestones reached during this period.
I also remember Manchester United’s two visits to Malta.
On May 14, 1961 the Red Devils beat Malta League XI 2-0 at the Gżira stadium. Then, they came back in 1967 to honour their Champions Cup fixture with Hibs.
How can I ever forget that memorable occasion?
Hibs defy the odds
Hibs defied the odds and made the critics eat their words when they held Manchester United, the eventual winners of the competition, to a creditable 0-0 draw.
That was in my opinion, the biggest moment of that glorious era.
Other events followed.
In 1962, Turu Lentini became the first Maltese referee to control an international match and during the same season Malta took part for the first time in the European Nations Cup.
The national team lost 6-1 to Denmark in Copenhagen and 3-1 at home.
Other great moments arrived in 1968-69 when popular teams like Arsenal and Milan visited Malta. Both clubs played against Hibs but the biggest moment was against Arsenal when, once again, Hibs chalked up another outstanding result and held the Londoners to a 0-0 draw.
Yes, those were the good old days when the old Empire Stadium would be filled to capacity each and every weekend.
When the roar of ‘goaaalll’ and the rumble of feet on the iron steps of the Valletta side of the ground would vibrate around the streets of Gżira and Msida.
The standard of the game has certainly improved since those days but the magic of the 1960s would never be recaptured.