Naxxar Lions F.C.

Naxxar Lions Football Club is a football club from the town of Naxxar in northern Malta.

Naxxar Lions Football Club
Full nameNaxxar Lions Football Club
Nickname(s)The Lions
Founded1920 (1920)
ChairmanAngelo Sciberras
ManagerGeorge Vella
LeagueMaltese Premier League
2022–23Maltese Challenge League, 2nd (Promotion)

Their historical and arch-rivals are Mosta FC. A match between Naxxar Lions and Mosta FC, is known as the derby of the north, but because there are other derbies in northern Malta it is also known as the Northern Classic.

History

Naxxar Lions Football Club is a football club from the town of Naxxar in the northern part of Malta. Founded in 1920, it was the first football club in the north of Malta.

The club had a very positive period in the 1940s and after some years languishing in the lower divisions, the club had several years of glory. In 1946 they secured promotion on the top flight division after winning the decider against Ħamrun Liberty.[1] Michael Zammit Tabona was appointed president in the 1980s, establishing the club as one of the best on the island, playing for several years in the Maltese Premier Division. After being relegated from the top league at the beginning of the new century, the club had to face a difficult period and was relegated to third division a few years ago.

Following the recent successful seasons Naxxar Lions were promoted from 3rd Division to 2nd Division in season 2009–10, from 2nd Division to 1st Division in season 2010–11 and maintaining 1st Division status in season 2011–12 placing in 6th position. In the 2012–13 season Naxxar Lions gained promotion to the Maltese Premier League with Dione Drago as the president. After three consecutive years in the Premier League, they were relegated back to first division. The following season, Naxxar Lions gained again promotion to the Maltese Premier League under the Presidency of Pierre Sciberras.

In September 2017, Mr Yahya Kirdi took over Naxxar Lions Football Club and was appointed as President. Naxxar Lions were relegated to the first division in the last match of the Premier League. During Season 2018-19, against all odds, Naxxar Lions FC managed to finish in the 4th place of the First Division League.

Pierre Sciberras was re-appointed the club President for Season 2019-20 which ended in March 2020 due to the Covid-19 situation, finishing 4th place. Naxxar Lions FC played Season 2020/21 in the BOV Challenge League, with the league ending early due to COVID (6th position with two matches less).

Naxxar Lions FC celebrated the 100 Years Anniversary (1920-2020). Angelo Pullicino was appointed as Club President in December 2020. During Season 2021/22, the club played again in the Challenge League and finished in the top 4 (4th).

Naxxar Lions FC is playing in the BOV Challenge League (Season 2022/23). In January 2023, Naxxar Lions reached the Championship Pool target, finishing 2nd place. On March 12th, Naxxar Lions FC were mathematically promoted to Premier League.

Club Committee

  • President - Angelo Pullicino
  • Vice Presidents - Clifford Galea Vella / Krista Chetcuti
  • Secretary - Simon Camilleri
  • Asst.Secretary - Clint Muscat
  • Treasurer - Shaun Camilleri
  • MFA Council Member - Angelo Pullicino
  • Members - Victor Bellia / Sandro Galea / James Fenech / Silvio Attard

Technical Staff

  • Head coach - George Vella
  • Assistant coach - Leslie Noel Burke
  • Team Manager - Adrian Ciappara
  • Kit Manager - Luke Bezzina / Clivert Burke / Nicholas Micallef
  • Youths Coach - Etienne Vella
  • Technical director - Omar Borg
  • Club doctor - Dr. Christopher Deguara
  • Nursery Head Coach - Quelin Spiteri
  • Nursery Representative - James Fenech
  • Club Administrators - Adrian Ciappara
  • Website & Social Media Administrator - Shaun Camilleri

Current squad

As of 1 October 2023

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Malta MLT Matthias Debono
3 DF Malta MLT Nikolai Micallef
4 DF Malta MLT Ryan Mercieca
5 DF Brazil BRA Fernando Barbosa
7 MF Malta MLT Mark Fenech
8 MF Malta MLT Neil Pace Cocks
9 FW Brazil BRA Pablo
10 MF Brazil BRA Edson Farias Cerqueira
11 MF Malta MLT Daren Falzon
12 GK Malta MLT Andre Fenech
No. Pos. Nation Player
14 DF Malta MLT Ayrton Senna Azzopardi
15 DF Malta MLT Ryan Gilmour Cassar
17 MF Japan JPN Takuma Yamaguchi
18 FW Malta MLT Joel Ellul
19 MF Malta MLT Jayden John Bonanno
20 MF Brazil BRA Elizeu
22 MF Brazil BRA Wilian Marcilio
23 FW Brazil BRA Maicon
29 FW Malta MLT Neil Demanuele
33 DF Brazil BRA João Moura

References

  1. Baldacchino, Carmel (29 April 2021). "Naxxar Lions and Ħamrun Liberty battle for honours". SportsDesk. Retrieved 2 May 2021.


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