The talking point of the 2004 domestic season could only hinge on one theme - Sliema Burger King's record-equalling four successive league titles with this summer's championship triumph, and next year's gunning of an epic 30 league crowns by a team which is constantly in the process of re-writing the record books.

The Blues' blazing run of successes, with seven league titles in the last decade, has left a trail of stumbling opponents in their wake. Spirit, determination and an ability to uplift themselves physically and mentally when facing the big tests were their hallmarks. Sergio Afric's technical guidance in the last four years put the finishing touches to their game.

Experience, killer qualities and the continued improvement of players like John Soler, Edward Aquilina and Francesco Cutajar had the propulsive backing of Maltese-Australian James Falzon and the valid contribution of Josie Cachia in goal, Clint Debono and John Paris, besides that of the tailenders.

Their rotation and flexibility on open play, the best man-down and man-up statistics and the individual match-winning qualities of several of their players were their main technical weapons throughout the league trek. The Blues' fine blend of ingredients brought deserved success, even if dampened by a final slip in the KO.

Their conquerors in the Cup were Sirens Go Mobile who were able to live up to their potential when picking up the pieces of a disintegrating summer. Theirs was an undisputable victory in the KO final - the sixth time the northerners inscribed their name in the honours' list of this competition.

In mid-season Sirens had parted company with coach Guzi Attard, who must be credited with launching some new young faces in the squad and instilling self-belief in others. In came John Farrugia as coach and, renouncing to his playing act, the team's veteran player steered his lads to a final flourish with a clearcut victory over Sliema.

At least, Sirens had made amends for three successive league defeats against the Blues this season and brought some smiles on the faces of their supporters who are aware that the squad is made up of young talent with prospects of improving in the coming years. The team exited on a high this summer. Now more of the same is expected from them.

Neptunes Vodafone flattered to deceive. After bagging the Winter League - their third consecutive title - they started the summer tests in style to land the President's Cup at the expense of Sliema, after which they led for most of the title race.

Underperformance

However, their second round defeat at the hands of the Blues re-established points parity, before they were edged out in the race for the league title by the Ghar-id-Dud boys in a cliff-hanger watched by a bumper crowd. But the general impression was that Neptunes again lacked the grit in the crunch matches, with their poor record on man-ups being their main flaw.

When looking for reasons for underperformance the axe usually falls on the coach. Dirk Dowling was unceremoniously relieved from his duties in what I thought was an ill-timed move. The Reds' season came to a bleak end as they were ousted by Sirens from a place in the KO final and a possibility of retaining the Cup they won last year.

Judging by their level of expectations and their impressive streak of successes in the junior ranks over the years, it has been an arid 12-year spell since the Balluta Bay team last won the league 12 seasons ago and after the four-year championship-winning era between 1986 and 1989. The Cup only came their way twice since 1993.

Probably, too much chopping and changing of their playing squad and men at the coaching helm - they have now reverted to Afric - were not stabilising factors for the Reds.

The form-graph of Marsascala Breakers again showed wide variations. Coach Pierre Borg could only get the best out of his team on the odd occasion. A couple of close defeats at the hands of Neptunes and a surprise win against the eventual champions, Sliema, were their high points in a season which promised much but then fizzled out.

The forced exit of their versatile standard-bearer Paul Privitera with almost two rounds to go and the inconsistent form of some other players did not help the southseasiders' cause. Neither did the departure of goalscorer Clint Mercieca who joined Sirens in the close season.

Borg, who has now jumped on the bandwagon of the national team, will have to infuse new spirit in a largely young squad, whose fitness levels were never short of those of the other teams. But consistency was not their ally.

Although Sliema's experience, resilience and big-match temperament were principal factors behind their league championship triumph, one could not help feeling that there was little between the contestants. Given optimal form on a particular day any team was capable of beating the other.

The competitiveness which, up to a certain point, marked the top division was reflected in the second tier of teams.

There was no chasm between two-in-row champions San Giljan Kia Motors, Exiles RMF, who retained the KO, Ta' Xbiex Mermaids Paradise and Marsaxlokk Freeport. Valletta, despite their improvement, and the generous Otters were inferior.

This balance in the respective divisions should induce the ASA to make yet another attempt at introducing new formats for our leagues. The futile preliminary epilogue with the dull series of non-contests between the big guns and the smaller ones, could make way for separate divisions from the outset, each played over more rounds, say four in the first and three in the second division.

That would test the teams' consistency and also make for sustained interest, never mind the monotony of having just four teams in the first division playing one another once too often. But 'real' matches would bring the crowds back, as was seen in the latter part of the season.

There is no escaping the reality that the gap between the top four teams and the rest has never been bridged. This is also prevalent in the cadets' competitions where out of three honours won so far, the cake was only shared between Neptunes and Sliema.

A positive note was that there were more teams in the Under-15 competition this summer than in recent years. This is an encouraging sign of a wider base of up-and-coming players and hence a possibility of more competitive teams in the top division in a few years' time.

With the domestic season over, focus now turns to the commitments of our national sides, the 'A' team in the European 'B' and the Under-19s in the continental Junior Championships. A creditable showing by our teams is within our possibility. The game's followers hope that this will materialise.