Football in 1934 was on the crest of a wave.
Following the successful bid the previous season of Hibernians and Sliema Wanderers to return the Cassar Cup to Malta, the people’s interest was aroused. After the administrative problems that plagued the game the past decade, the Malta FA finally got a good grip on the situation and although there were still many problems to solve, at least very few mistakes were made.
Hibernians, the revelation team of 1933-34, started the new season full of determination. However, with the return of Floriana to league football they lost Manuel Azzopardi, Baskal Scicluna and Ġużi Agius.
They also had to make do without Rogantin Pisani who, during the summer, had left the club and joined the Greens.
With Floriana back and Sliema and Hibernians on top of their form, a great season was anticipated. The other teams that formed part of the First Division that year were Qormi St George’s, Sliema Rangers and Ħamrun Spartans.
Season 1934-35 was a great one but it is not my intention today to write about the competitive part of the game. Instead, I want to focus on the behind-the-scenes activities involving the clubs and MFA.
This, I hope, will give us a glimpse on the administration of the game in those days.
A matter of importance which was being discussed in the MFA Council was the appointment of a coach to train the national team. It seems that the MFA had been in touch with a number of coaches who had the required qualifications.
One name which kept cropping up for the post was that of Flight Lieutenant Douglas Arthur William Sugden who had just arrived in Malta with his unit.
Sugden was a popular administrator in English football. He was a close friend of the English FA secretary Frederick Wall and he was also a director of Southampton FC and vice-president of Leyton Orient FC.
Sugden, who held a first class refereeing certificate, was also the honorary secretary of the RAF Football Association and a member of the Hampshire Country FA.
Another important aspect which cropped up during that season was the matter of payment to players. At a time when most of the players in Malta were hard-core amateurs this was a hot potato indeed!
One must keep in mind that in those days unemployment was rife and wages were low. Some lively fellows, therefore, used their skills with a ball to make and extra pound or two.
This, many times, created a difficult situation. In football, like in everything else you cannot have players that are more privileged than others because it breeds contempt and disharmony.
So, in 1934, Sliema came up with a remedy. The Blues invited their amateur players to turn pro. This way all their players would be receiving the same wage and bonuses.
On paper, it seemed to be a good idea but in practice it did not work out because few if any of the clubs could afford to be so generous with their players.
It is strange that nowadays, more than 80 years since Sliema came up with this novel idea, our senior clubs are still wrestling with the idea of total professionalism.
Sliema Wanderers 1934-35. None of the players were full-time professionals but each paid according to their abilities.