Żarenu Alamango spent his entire career with Floriana.

Żarenu Alamango was not only a footballer but also an accomplished hockey player.

He came from a famous footballing family as his father was none other than Floriana stalwart Ġuże Alamango. Żarenu’s brothers – Ġużi, Johnnie and Salvu – all played for Floriana.

Żarenu started playing football in the early fifties with Floriana Colts and Floriana Minors.

Then, on November 21, 1954, when some of Floriana’s regular players were overseas with the Army, he was given his chance to play in the first team in a league match against Hibernians.

It was a happy debut for the youngster because Floriana won 6-0 and Alamango, wearing the no.9 jersey, scored one of the goals.

Alamango was an instant success among the Floriana faithful but, when Lolly Vella came back to Malta from Egypt, he had to surrender his place in the team. That season he played three games in the league and scored two goals.

Alamango’s big chance came when the Vella brothers left for Australia and he took it with both hands. He immediately made the outside-right position his own and, barring injuries and commitments with the Army, he kept his place in the team up to 1969 when he retired.

In a career spanning 14 seasons, Alamango played 154 competitive matches for Floriana and scored 27 goals. During this period he won three champion-ships, three FA Trophy titles and two Cassar Cup medals.

Alamango’s best assets were his hard shots and speed off the mark which often left opposing defenders standing. He was also a versatile player and could play at outside-right as well as inside- forward or wing-half.

Żarenu only played one full international but was regular for Malta Amateur XI with whom he was capped seven times.

One must keep in mind that in those days, the full Malta XI only played one or two internationals in a season and even the very best Maltese players were lucky if they played a handful of matches for the national team.

Like many footballers of his era, Alamango was in the Army and served in the 1st LAA Regiment RMA. This unit had one of the best football teams in the Army and won many honours in the Army League.

Alamango also served with the Army in Germany where he played regularly for the British Army of the Rhine XI.

As a hockey player, Żarenu played for Fsobians and the Irish Born team in the National League.

He was chosen to represent the Malta Hockey Association in prestigious representative matches against RAF Malta and RAF Cyprus.

He also played for Combined Services in representative matches against other Service teams.