In 1950-51 there seemed to be no ending to visits by foreign teams.

First, there was the visit of AS Catania, in November, in return to the visit to Italy made by Floriana earlier in the season. Then, during the same month, Ittihad, of Libya, played against Sliema Wanderers and Valletta at the Stadium.

Our visitors for the Christmas Tourney that season were Wiener SC, of Austria. This tourney was followed by another one with Italian Serie B club AS Syracuse playing here. Finally, late in May, English Second Division club Rotherham United played a number of matches at the Stadium.

British teams are always welcome in Malta and the thousands of local 'English' supporters ensure a good gate and a welcome means of revenue.

This visit, however, had its fair share of problems. It was a mistake on the part of the organisers to stage such a popular tourney so late in the season when the competition was at its peak.

There was also the problem of Floriana who refused to play in the tourney because of a dispute they had with the MFA.

Rotherham United opened their tour on May 20, 1951 with a convincing 2-0 victory over the strong UK Services XI.

Showing a professional touch in everything they did, Rotherham gave the impression that they still had something up their sleeves for any emergency.

This impression was confirmed against Hibernians. Beating the Paolites 14-3, they cut through Hibs' weak defence like a knife through butter, and if it had not been for some fine saves by goalkeeper Venturi the score would have been even more astronomical.

Things were very different when Rotherham met Valletta. The Citizens rose to the occasion and for long stretches they had the Englishmen fighting grimly to preserve their unbeaten record.

Tomlinson scored after only a minute's play and it looked as if the Maltese were in for another drubbing. Valletta, however, settled down well and refused to be flustered.

Then, Salvinu Schembri surprised the visitors with one of his special goals and from then on it was anybody's game. Unfortunately, however, 18 minutes into the second half, White scored a surprise winner for Rotherham.

Rotherham's next visit to the Stadium was for the game against Sliema Wanderers. The Blues, old campaigners in such battles, were expected to give them a good game but Rotherham won 6-0.

A 'battering' is just about the phrase to use in these circumstances. At the end, Sliema were so dazzled and baffled that they could hardly stand.

Rotherham wound up their tour with the traditional match against MFA XI. On paper, this match had great possibilities and the forecast was for once proved right.

The Maltese rose to the occasion winning a great game 3-1.

The visitors were technically superior but the courage of the boys in red won the day. Rotherham attacked for all it was worth but the locals were more dangerous in their few attacks. The star of the game was the inimitable Schembri. The great little man simply had no equal that day.

A mighty roar greeted the first goal when Tony Nicholl finished a perfect lob from Tony Vella into the net. Rotherham equalised through Noble but other goals from Nicholl and Lolly Borg gave the Maltese victory.

It was the first time that a Maltese team had beaten an English professional club. Tottenham Hotspurs in 1928 and Chelsea in 1949 had left our shores unbeaten.