The Daily Malta Chronicle, from its very first issue in the 1890s, was foremost in promoting sports in Malta.
Our knowledge about the early days of football here is derived from the generous coverage of the sport given by the Chronicle.
In 1905, the editor offered a cup to be played annually by the Navy and the Army. This offer was quickly taken up by both parties and the Maltese enthusiasts were given the chance to watch the best British players on the island playing against each other.
With the passing of years, this annual match between the two Services was elevated by the football-hungry Maltese to the rank of an international match.
The people of the Cottonera supported the Navy while those who lived on the other side of the harbour supported the Army in their thousands.
One of the best editions of this annual event took place on Saturday, April 10, 1908.
As usual the game was played at the Corradino Recreation Ground on the exact site where nowadays lies the Hibernians Stadium.
Among the many important personalities present was the Commander in Chief of the services and High Commissioner in the Mediterranean, the Duke of Connaught.
The Duke, who at the time was visiting Malta, agreed to attend and present the Daily Malta Chronicle Cup to the winners.
It was a good afternoon for football with a dull sky and a light breeze. The players appeared in fine form when they lined up in the middle of the field to meet His Royal Highness.
The teams lined up as follows:
Navy: Morgan (Canopus), Greatorex (Exmouth), Porter (Egmont), Morgan (Canopus) Spencer (Duncan), Smith (Exmouth), Milborn (Exmouth), Jones (Exmouth) Bright (Duncan), Barlow (Exmouth), McGuiness (Exmouth).
Army: Joyce (RGA), Beale (KRR), Smith (Suffolks), Bevear (RGA), Davidson (Devons) Behague (RGA), Deyermond (Irish Fusiliers), Gray (RGA), Williams (KRR), Brally (Irish Fusiliers), Warrenes (Somersets).
As can be seen from these formations, the Navy chose both their wings from the Exmouth team. In those days, when all teams played with five forwards, much depended on the understanding between the inside-forwards and their wing partners.
From the start, this understanding became apparent and the Navy forwards weaved one attack after another.
During the first half, the Army also had their moments but the scoresheet remained blank.
In the first 10 minutes of the second half, it was the Navy who showed the better ideas and it was no surprise when Milborn, the Blues’ captain, headed in the first goal after a scrummage in the Army’s penalty area.
After this goal, the Army tried to get forward but the Navy’s fast wingers counter-attacked dangerously. At one point, Army goalkeeper Joyce fisted the ball from a corner but McGuiness was on hand to score the Navy team’s second goal with a powerful volley.
For the rest of the game, the Navy controlled the Army forwards who desperately tried to get back into the game.
A few minutes from time the ‘Reds’ were awarded a penalty for a deliberate foul in the area.
Davidson converted the spot-kick and, for the remaining nail-biting minutes of the game, the Navy had to absorb tremendous pressure from the Army.
The Navy defence, however, held fast and at the end it was the ‘Blues’ captain, Milborn, who went up to receive the Chronicle Cup from the Duke of Connaught.
The Navy XI, winners of the 1908 Daily Malta Chronicle Cup final.