Victor Tedesco, the most successful president in the history of Premier League club Ħamrun Spartans, died in hospital in the early hours of yesterday, aged 91.
Tedesco is credited with transforming Ħamrun Spartans into one of the leading clubs in Maltese football in the eighties and early nineties.
During his tenure, the Spartans won several domestic honours, including four league titles, six FA Trophy wins and five Super Cup triumphs.
In the early years of his presidency, Tedesco signalled his intent to turn his club into a major force by signing several experienced players, the likes of Edwin Farrugia and Raymond Xuereb, from Floriana, and Carlo Seychell from Valletta.
Before season 1981-82, Tedesco took the unusual step of engaging two English players, Peter Hatch and John Linacre, to further strengthen the squad but the authorities initially refused to issue the necessary work permits for Ħamrun's new recruits.
Nevertheless, Tedesco's decision to sign two foreign players prompted other clubs to follow suit in the years that followed.
During their glorious era, the Spartans boasted many fine players, including Raymond Vella, Joe Brincat, Michael Degiorgio, Alex Azzopardi and the evergreen Stefan Sultana, all of whom represented Malta at international level.
Sultana, the Premier League's all-time top scorer with 196 goals, is still a key member of the present Spartans' squad at the ripe age of 40.
"For all the players who donned the Spartans shirt, Victor Tedesco represented the heart and soul of the club," Sultana told The Times.
"I had a long telephone conversation with Mr Tedesco on Christmas Eve. His health may have deteriorated but mentally, he was still very sharp. Even in the latter stages of his life, Mr Tedesco retained a keen interest in Ħamrun Spartans.
"I'm deeply saddened by his demise."
Sultana also paid tribute to Tedesco's leadership qualities and his understanding of the game of football.
"He was not only an excellent football administrator but also knew the game inside out," Sultana remarked. "I treasure the memories of every single honour Ħamrun won under Victor Tedesco."
Tedesco, who also served on the MFA council and Executive Board, was the first president of the Premier League Clubs Standing Committee which was founded in 1984.
In 1996, he fulfilled a lifetime dream with the inauguration of a football ground in Ħamrun which was aptly named the Victor Tedesco Stadium.
The Nationalist Party and the Labour Party expressed their condolences to the Tedesco family yesterday.
In separate statements, the two political parties hailed Tedesco's sterling contribution to Maltese football through his involvement with Ħamrun Spartans.
The funeral will take place this afternoon at 2 at the St Cajetan parish church, Ħamrun.