Although we know Birkirkara had a football team way back in 1916, the first team to play in competition was Birkirkara Juventus in 1933-34.
As far as we could ascertain, Birkirkara Juventus were only active for one season. Having finished last in Section B of the Third Division, they probably lost heart and were disbanded.
A couple of years later, Birkirkara St Helena made their debut in Division Four.
This time the attempt to establish the game in the village was more successful.
Birkirkara St Helena took part in the league from 1935 to 1940. In the process, they won promotion to the Second Division but their progress was halted by the Second World War.
After the war, it was the turn of Birkirkara Red Stars to try their luck in competitive football. In 1944-45, they took part in the Second Division but after finishing bottom of the class, they folded.
However, the history of the present Birkirkara club really started in 1945 when Birkirkara United were founded. They competed in the Second Division and in 1948-49 they won promotion for the first time to the First Division. Their stay in the top flight, however, lasted only one year and at the end of 1949-50, they were relegated.
This time, however, the club was built on more solid foundations. Changing their name to Birkirkara FC and adopting 1950 as their foundation date, they won the Second Division title in 1951-52 and the following season, they took part in the First Division for the first time under their new title.
At the start of the season no one gave the Stripes a chance of keeping their status. Birkirkara, however, had other ideas.
Coached by the shrewd Frankie Tabone, they took the First Division by storm and proved to be the revelation of the season.
They made an auspicious start by holding Sliema Wanderers to a 2-2 draw. Lack of experience proved costly in their next match against Rabat but, on November 30, 1952, they made football history. A goal by inside-left Attard gave them a memorable victory over Floriana.
Birkirkara continued to confound the critics with another first-class performance against Hibernians. Eight minutes from time they were losing 1-0.
A game, however, is never lost until it is won and, with the Birkirkara supporters streaming out of the ground, Valenzia scored an unexpected equaliser.
The retreating Birkirkara supporters stopped in their tracks, but that was not the end of the drama. Seconds later, 'Lula' Bonnici hit home a dramatic winner with a rising shot.
Ħamrun Spartans and Sliema were Birkirkara's next victims. The Stripes won both games 1-0.
But, Birkirkara's fine run came to an end against Valletta.
The Lilywhites won thanks to a goal by outside-left Vassallo midway through the second half. This result opened up the championship race and everything depended on the outcome of the matches between Floriana, Birkirkara and Valletta.
On March 29, Floriana climbed to the top of the table with a good victory over Birkirkara. The Greens continued with a drab 1-1 draw against Sliema. Valletta drew 1-1 against St George's to squander a glorious chance to regain top spot.
The competition could not have had a more exciting finale.
On May 9, 'Likku' Saliba scored a great goal to give Birkirkara the points against the Spartans. This goal took the Stripes to the top of the table, one point above Floriana and Valletta, who still had to meet each other. A draw therefore, would have anticipated history by half-a-century and edge Birkirkara close to their first ever championship.
It was not to be however. Valletta took an early lead but things were different in the second half.
Brincat converted a penalty which knocked the fight out of Valletta. Floriana began to dictate matters and goals by Stan Williams and Bennetti gave the Greens their fourth championship in succession.
That season, however, will always be remembered for the way Birkirkara defied the odds by making a strong challenge for the title.