Between March 1976 and May 29, 1977, Floriana went through 37 competitive games without defeat.
This record should not be mixed with that of Hibernians who, in the 1980s, had a 37-match unbeaten run in the league championship. Both records assume further significance when one considers that, in those days, teams only played 14 league matches in a season and three or four in other competitions.
In 1975-76, Floriana won the FA Trophy, the Independence Cup and the Sons of Malta Cup. They extended their successful streak in 1976-77 by winning the Sons of Malta Cup and the league championship, dropping only three points in 18 matches to become the first team since the league had been extended to 10 teams to win the competition unbeaten.
The Greens’ fine run continued in the FA Trophy and they were quite confident of stretching their record by beating rivals Valletta in the final.
The game, as expected, attracted a huge crowd to the stadium. The nosiest section was, as usual, the Valletta side. This part of the ground was packed with supporters brandishing all kinds of noise-making implements for the occasion.
The Citizens vociferously supported their players. Waving red and white flags, they maintained a continuous din throughout the 90 minutes.
During the day, there had been many scuffles between rival fans in Floriana and at one point, the police even had to close St Anne’s Street for traffic. Hours before the game, the streets leading from Valletta were teeming with decorated cars and flag-waving supporters.
To avoid further incidents, the police diverted the traffic through the outer streets of the suburb.
It was a long time since such huge queues had been seen at the Gżira stadium turnstiles and the ground security closed the doors of the enclosure well before the start of the game. Inside, the atmosphere was tense but with the help of the police, order was kept throughout the game.
The game itself was a keen affair with no quarter asked for nor given. There was very little difference between the two teams. On one side, Floriana were eager to add the FA Trophy to their ever-growing collection and maintain their unbeaten run of matches.
On the other side, Valletta were prepared to do everything in their power to stop the Greens’ triumphant march
Floriana went on the warpath from the word go. During the first half, and for most of the second, they roared and raged around Valletta’s penalty area. The Whites were penned back but, after weathering this barrage, they broke away and scored the goal that mattered.
The man who tipped the scales in favour of Valletta was Leonard Farrugia. The tiny Valletta striker produced a top-notch performance and it was fitting that he should be the one who ended Floriana’s unbeaten record.
Farrugia’s goal jolted Floriana into action but once they gained advantage, Valletta were not about to renounce it. They defended well to foil Floriana’s desperate efforts.
The tension became unbearable as the seconds ticked away. Then, as referee Tonio Briguglio blew the final whistle, the Valletta side exploded into one huge wave of joyous celebrations. The old enemy had been defeated... it was time to party.
Celebrations in Valletta were great and lasted well into the early hours of the morning.
There was cause for celebration. It was Valletta’s first victory over the Greens in five long years and the first defeat inflicted on Floriana by any team since March 1976.
The irony of it all was that the architect of that famous victory was none other than Lolly Debattista, one of the greatest and most loyal players to wear the famous green and white jerseys of Floriana.