The offside rule has always been an integral part of football.

Throughout the years, this rather complicated and controversial rule has gone through many changes but the most important adjustments were made in 1907 when 'offside' was limited only to the opponents' half of the field and in 1925 when the number of opponents between a player and goal was reduced from three to two.

Today's story took place in season 1907-08 when the new rule was introduced in Malta.

To the student of Maltese football, 1907-1908 represents a time of significant change in the development of the game. It was during that season that the first Maltese competition was organised. The Junior Football League was open to Under-19 Maltese and Service teams.

There were old timers in the fifties and sixties who contended that the new offside rule was first applied in Malta on April 26, 1908 when St George's, then the 'darlings' of Maltese football, played against the King's Royal Rifles in Zabbar. We could not verify this claim but at the same time we could not find anything to dispute it.

It was a wet and miserable Sunday afternoon when the two teams met in front of a bumper crowd of over 3,000 spectators. The distinguished guests on the day included Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught who was on a visit to the island.

It was a day more suitable to English rather than Maltese football. The biting wind that swept across the Zabbar ground made it very difficult for the players to control the ball.

The enthusiasm of the crowd, however, knew no bounds and each and everyone present looked forward to a keen tussle between the two best teams on the island.

In the first half, St George's did most of the attacking and the soldiers' goalkeeper Gale was twice forced to effect difficult saves. The Saints' finishing, however, was poor.

The English, on their part, could have scored very early in the game when Clarke raced down the wing, cut in towards goal and fired a shot which scraped the far post.

Early in the second period, a misunderstanding between the English full-backs enabled Pisani to collect a pass from Vella before letting loose a thunderbolt which beat the English goalkeeper.

The soldiers made a strong reaction but it was all in vain because the Saints' defence was solid as a rock. The game now degenerated somewhat. The ball was kept too much in the air and fouls were plentiful.

The exchanges were very physical in those days and many of the tactics used during that period have long since been rendered unlawful.

The Saints had a narrow escape when, with goalkeeper Borg well and truly beaten, Dimech rushed in to kick the ball off the line. The English players claimed it was a goal but the referee deemed otherwise.

The King's Royal Rifles now lost their composure. They ran around like a pack of stray dogs, chasing the ball aimlessly.

The Saints, by contrast, kept their cool and not only managed to control their opponents' fury but also scored a second goal in the process. Gale left his charge to gather a dropping ball from Pisani but misjudged it completely.

Goal ruled out

A few minutes later, Pisani could have completed a hat-trick. A ball was delivered into the English penalty area, Gale came out to clear but Pisani dashed in to nod it home.

The crowd went mad with joy but one can imagine their frustration when referee Sgt. Major James Gordon, a stern and impartial official, took in his linesman's advice and annulled the goal.

It is certain that only a handful of those present understood why the officials had ruled out Pisani's effort.

Most of the Maltese in those days were not familiar with the rules, especially one so complicated as the offiside rule.

According to eye witness reports, the Maltese did not take the referee's decision too kindly and made their feelings known in no uncertain way.

For the record

Friendly match at the Zabbar Gate Ground - April 26, 1908
St George's FC vs King's Royal Rifles 2-0

St George's: Borg, Dimech, Portelli, Casha, Xuereb, Zammit, Cachia, Hili, Cassar, Vella, Pisani.

KRR: Gale, Capt. Hughes, Scot, Lewis, Johnson, Lt. Thomas, Capt. Bell, Parker, Moore, Sgt. Clarke, Evans.

Scorer: Pisani (2).

Referee: Sgt. Major James Gordon.