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Naxxar Lions F.C.

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Naxxar Lions
Full nameNaxxar Lions
Nickname(s)The Lions
Founded1920; 104 years ago (1920)
ChairmanAngelo Pullicino
ManagerGeorge Vella
LeagueMaltese Premier League
2023–24Maltese Premier League, 6th

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

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.[citation needed]

History

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

Club Committee

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  • President - Angelo Pullicino
  • Vice Presidents - Krista Chetcuti
  • Secretary - Simon Camilleri
  • Treasurer - Shaun Camilleri
  • MFA Council Member - Angelo Pullicino
  • Members - Clivert Burke / Francesco Mercieca / Leslie Noel Burke / Nicholas Micallef / Sandro Galea / Silvio Attard / Victor Micallef

Technical Staff

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  • Head coach - George Vella
  • Assistant Coach - Leslie Noel Burke
  • Team Manager - Adrian Ciappara
  • Physical Trainer - Trevor Fenech
  • Physiotherapist - Bernard Von Bronkdorff
  • Kit Managers - Clivert Burke / Dwayne Cauchi / Nicholas Micallef
  • Youths Coach - Etienne Vella
  • Technical Director - Omar Borg
  • Club Doctor - Dr. Christopher Deguara
  • Nursery Head Coach - Quelin Spiteri
  • Club Administrator - Adrian Ciappara
  • Website & Social Media Administrator - Shaun Camilleri

Current squad

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As of 22 August, 2024

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. 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 Brazil BRA Pedro Vitor
5 DF Malta MLT Owen Portelli
7 MF Japan JPN Takuma Yamaguchi
8 MF Malta MLT Neil Pace Cocks
9 FW Brazil BRA Matheus Taumaturgo
10 FW Brazil BRA Edson Farias
12 GK Malta MLT Andre Fenech
13 DF Malta MLT Kayne Haber
15 DF Malta MLT Ryan Cassar
17 FW Malta MLT Jayden Bonanno
18 MF Brazil BRA Francisco Hudson Nunez Da Silva
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 FW Brazil BRA Gustavo Barbosa
20 MF Brazil BRA Luan Sérgio
21 MF Malta MLT Matthias Fenech
22 DF Malta MLT Staline Degabriele
23 DF Brazil BRA Caxambu
25 DF Brazil BRA Fernando Barbosa
26 MF Malta MLT Sven Camilleri
28 MF Malta MLT Giuseppe Bonanno
29 MF Malta MLT Nathan Iriele
31 MF Jamaica JAM Kemmu Jackson
44 MF Japan JPN Yasukaze Ito
99 GK Malta MLT Andriy Vella

Honours

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1st Division Champions: 1987–88, 1993–94, 2012–13

2nd Division Champions (2nd level): 1945–46

2nd Division Champions (3rd level): 1986–87

3rd Division Champions: 1985–86

2nd & 3rd Division Knock Out Cup Winners: 1985–86

3rd Division Knock Out Cup Winners: 1971–72

References

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  1. ^ Baldacchino, Carmel (29 April 2021). "Naxxar Lions and Ħamrun Liberty battle for honours". SportsDesk. Archived from the original on 2 May 2021. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
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