Naxxar Lions F.C.

Maltese football club

Football club

Naxxar Lions Football ClubFull name| Naxxar Lions Football Club

|

Nickname(s)| The Lions
Founded| 1920; 104 years ago (1920)
Chairman| Angelo Pullicino
Manager| George Vella
League| Maltese Premier League
2023–24| Maltese Premier League, 6th

Home colours

Away colours

Third colours

|
|

Naxxar Lions Football Club is a 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[edit]

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[edit]

* 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 / Silvio Attard / Victor Micallef / Nicholas Micallef / Clivert Burke

### Technical Staff[edit]

* Head coach - George Vella
* Assistant Coach - Leslie Noel Burke
* Team Manager - Adrian Ciappara
* Physical Trainer - Trevor Fenech
* Physiotherapist - Bernard Von Bronkdorff
* Kit Managers - Luke Bezzina / 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[edit]

As of 22 January 2024

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 |  MLT | Matthias Debono
3  | DF |  MLT | Nikolai Micallef
4  | DF |  MLT | Ryan Mercieca
5  | DF |  BRA | Fernando Barbosa
7  | MF |  MLT | Mark Fenech
8  | MF |  MLT | Neil Pace Cocks
9  | FW |  BRA | Pablo
10  | MF |  BRA | Edson Farias
11  | MF |  MLT | Daren Falzon
12  | GK |  JPN | Makoto Kikushima
13  | FW |  MLT | Liam Farrugia
14  | DF |  MLT | Ayrton Senna Azzopardi
15  | DF |  MLT | Ryan Gilmour Cassar
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

16  | FW |  COL | Robinson Blandón
17  | MF |  JPN | Takuma Yamaguchi
18  | FW |  MLT | Joel Ellul
19  | MF |  MLT | Jayden John Bonanno
20  | MF |  BRA | Elizeu
22  | MF |  BRA | Wilian Marcilio
23  | FW |  BRA | Maicon
26  | MF |  JPN | Yasukaze Ito
29  | FW |  MLT | Neil Demanuele
33  | DF |  BRA | João Moura
99  | GK |  MLT | Andriy Vella
-- | GK |  MLT | Andre Fenech

## Honours[edit]

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[edit]

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.

## External links[edit]

* v
* t
* e

Maltese football clubs

Premier League|

* Balzan
* Birkirkara
* Floriana
* Gżira United
* Ħamrun Spartans
* Hibernians
* Marsaxlokk
* Melita
* Mosta
* Naxxar Lions
* Sliema Wanderers
* Żabbar St. Patrick

Challenge League|

* Fgura United
* Gudja United
* Lija Athletic
* Marsa
* Mgarr United
* Mtarfa
* Pietà Hotspurs
* Senglea Athletic
* Santa Lucia
* Sirens
* St. Andrews
* Swieqi United
* Tarxien Rainbows
* Valletta
* Żebbuġ Rangers
* Żurrieq

Amateur League|

* Attard
* Birzebbuga St. Peter's
* Għargħur
* Kirkop United
* Luqa St. Andrew's
* Marsaskala
* Mellieħa
* Msida St. Joseph
* Pembroke Athleta
* Qormi
* Qrendi
* Rabat Ajax
* San Ġwann
* Vittoriosa Stars
* Xgħajra Tornados
* Żejtun Corinthians

Amateur League 2|

* Dingli Swallows
* Għaxaq
* Kalkara United
* Mdina Knights
* Mqabba
* St. Venera
* Siggiewi
* St. George's
* Ta' Xbiex
* Victoria Hotspurs

* 2024–25 Premier League
* 2024–25 Challenge League
* 2024–25 Amateur League
* 2024–25 Amateur League 2

* v
* t
* e

Football in Malta

Malta Football Association

National teams|

| Men|

* Men's
* results
* footballers
* captains
* U-21
* U-19
* U-17
* Amateur

| Gozo|

* Main

|

Women|

* Women's
* U-19
* U-17

Domestic leagues|

| Men|

* Premier League
* Challenge League
* Amateur League

| Gozo|

* Gozo Football League First Division
* Gozo Football League Second Division

|

Women|

* First Division

Youth|

* Youth Football Association

Defunct|

* Second Division
* Third Division
* Women's Second Division

| Gozo|

* Third Division
* Women's League

|

Domestic cups|

| Men|

* FA Trophy
* Super Cup
* National Amateur Cup

| Gozo|

* G.F.A. Cup
* GFA Super Cup
* First Division Knock-Out Cup
* Second Division Knock-Out
* Second Division Challenge Cup

|

Women|

* Women's Cup

Defunct|

* First Division knock-out
* Second and Third Division knock-out

| Gozo|

* Independence Cup
* Freedom Day Cup
* Republic Cup
* Women's Cup

|

Lists|

| Men|

* List of champions
* List of clubs
* List of venues (by capacity)
* Foreign players
* Player of the Year

|

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template