Hamrun Spartans F.C.

History

Foundation

The Ħamrun Spartans were founded in 1907. By season 1913–14, Ħamrun Spartans were already an established team on the local scene winning the title during that season thanks to a better goal-average than St. George's. Their second League success came four years later when they finished again in joint top-spot with St. George's. This time the Spartans were crowned Champions of Malta by beating them in a playoff. Ħamrun's top player at that time was Gejtu Psaila, known as il-Haċċa. In the 1920s and 1930s, the club went through a difficult period as most Ħamrun players left to join other clubs.

A new team, Ħamrun Liberty, was formed and in just a couple of years, Ħamrun Liberty was among the elite of Maltese football. On their return to the First Division in 1946–47, the club changed its name to Ħamrun Spartans. They were soon a hit as they won the Johnnie Walker Championship Trophy, winning also the Cassar Cup. They won the Cassar Cup again in 1948–49 season. For four times between 1947 and 1952, they were four times runners-up.

The team started dwindling down in the 60's until they were relegated in the season 1969–70. After returning to the First Division, they were relegated once again in 1973–74. However, after two years in the Second Division, they were back in the First Division.

Anniversary and successes

On the 75th anniversary, exactly during the season 1982–83, the club was back at the top winning the title after an absence of 36 years. Ħamrun also won the FA Trophy during that season. That was the beginning of an era under the guide of president Victor Tedesco. The team was strengthened with top players like Gigi Salerno, Raymond and George Xuereb, Edwin Farrugia, Raymond Vella, Joe Brincat and Carlo Seychell. Alfred Cardona was their coach. After a lot of disputes with the Immigration Division, Victor Tedesco signed two foreigners, Englishmen Peter Hatch and John Linacre – the first foreigners to play on the island after a long period of time.

The Spartans set a new record being the first local team to win both the home and away legs in a UEFA competition after beating Ballymena of Northern Ireland. In just under a decade, from season 1982-83 till season 1991-92 Ħamrun have won the Maltese Premier League four times, the Maltese FA Trophy 6 times and the Maltese Super Cup 5 times, amongst others.

Dark period: Relegations and match fixing allegation

After such successful campaigns, the Spartans faced financial difficulties. The team had to transfer its best players until finally they were relegated to the First Division in 1998–99. After one year, they were promoted back to the Premier League after winning the Division 1 title. Financial difficulties persisted and they were relegated back to the Maltese Challenge League (First Division at the time) at the end of season 2003–04, winning promotion as First Division champions in 2004–05, being relegated in 2005–06 and winning the First Division championship once again in 2006–07.

Following the promotion to the Maltese Premier League the Spartans finished in 6th place during the 2007–08 campaign, and also made their way to the final of the FA Trophy against Birkirkara FC losing the cup to a last minute goal. This season was also a great success to its supporters after winning the Malta Best Support Award.

Ħamrun Spartans faced more difficulties and albeit staying in the top division for some years, they were relegated to the Maltese First Division in the 2012–13 season, and to the Maltese Second Division during the 2013-14 campaign – the worst ever placing in their history. In 2014, after goalkeeper Andrea Cassar reported two officials for match fixing, the club was charged with match fixing and relegated to the first division.Ħamrun Spartans gained promotion from the Second Division by placing second during season 2014–15.

Recovery

The 2015–16 season ended successfully for Ħamrun Spartans FC. The team finished in second place in the First Division and was subsequently promoted to the Premier Division after an absence of four years. In this period the administration of the club improved greatly and many difficulties, mainly financial, were surmounted. New enthusiasm and optimism embraced the club. The supporters were looking forward for a fresh start.

The 2018–19 season was a very positive one where the team, led by Italian coach Giovanni Tedesco defied the odds and finished in 4th place after getting a 94th-minute equaliser in the last match of the season against arch rivals Valletta F.C. which result forced the latter to play a decider for the Championship title. Hamrun fans hoped that European club football was once again in reach after an absence of 26 years, however Balzan beat Valletta in the final of the FA Trophy, which meant that Balzan won the 4th and last Maltese berth for European football during the next season.

During the 2019–20 season, Italian coach Manuele Blasi took control of the team. The team performed well initially but due to financial difficulties had to release key players. Blasi was replaced by Andrea Ciaramella in early 2020 with the team ending in 9th position when the league was suspended due to the Covid pandemic in March 2020 with 6 matches left to play.

New ownership and historic European debut (2020–present)

In the summer of 2020 intense negotiations took place to find solid financial backing for Hamrun Spartans F.C. These proved successful when Joseph Portelli agreed to take control of the club. The club immediately signed three of the most promising young Malta National Team players - Juan Carlos Corbalan, Joseph Mbong and Matthew Guillaumier. A professional corporate image was given to the club and it began the 2020–21 season strongly, sitting top of the league at the end of 2020. After the halt of the league decided by the Malta Football Association during April, the Spartans were declared champions of the league, 30 years after winning their last title.

On 9 June 2021, the club was excluded from participating in the 2021–22 UEFA Champions League for being involved in a match fixing scandal back in 2013.

On 11 August 2022, after a victory over Levski Sofia on penalties in the third qualifying round of 2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League, Ħamrun became the first ever Maltese side to reach the play-off stage of a UEFA club competition; where they played against the famous Serbian club Partizan, who proved too strong. Having lost 4–1 in Belgrade in the first leg, Ħamrun managed to achieve a highly respectable and entertaining 3–3 draw in the second leg back in Malta. The Spartans had beaten Alashkert, Velež Mostar and Levski Sofia in the first three rounds of qualifying to set up a meeting with the Serbian side.

On 4 May 2024, Ħamrun cemented their season after a 1–1 draw against Hibernians and lifted their 10th premier league trophy during 2023–24 Maltese Premier League. The achievement means that the Spartans could finally add the first golden star above the club badge after permission by Malta Premier League.

On 28 August 2025, Ħamrun became the first ever Maltese side to reach the league phase of a major European club competition, qualifying for the 2025–26 UEFA Conference League after defeating RFS of Latvia in the play-off round. Ħamrun also secures a lucrative financial reward for both the club and the football league in Malta. The club guaranteed itself a base payout of around €3.2 million from UEFA. Prize money distributed to other clubs will now be divided among 11 teams rather than 12, ensuring a larger share for each. Later that year, on 27 November, they secured their first win in the European compeition in a 3–1 victory over Lincoln Red Imps.

Club officials

Technical staff

• Head Coach: Giacomo Modica
• Assistant Coach: Vincenzo Modica
• Technical Collaborator: Maurizio Miranda
• Match Analyst: Giacalone Pietro
• Fitness Coach: Alessandro Ruspantini
• Goalkeepers Coach: Matthew Farrugia
• Team Manager: David Camilleri
• Kit Manager: Gilbert Camilleri
• Assistant Kit Managers: Jason Mangani, Francesco Joseph Galea

Management

• President: Joseph Portelli
• Vice President: Gaetano Debattista
• Secretary: Stephen Saliba
• Treasurer: Antoine Attard
• International Relations: Victor Cassar
• Spiritual Director: Rev. Anton Portelli

Current squad

Out on loan

Former players

• ITA Orazio Sorbello
• ENG Tony Morley
• ITA Cristian Zaccardo
• GER Heiner Backhaus
• MLT Andrea Cassar

Historical list of coaches

• MLT Lolly Debattista (1975–76)
• MLT Alfred Cardona (1982–83)
• SCO Danny McLennan (1985–86)
• MLT Lolly Aquilina (1987–89)
• ITA Terenzio Polverini (1989–90)
• MLT Lolly Debattista (1990–93)
• MLT Lolly Aquilina (1993–96)
• ITA Orazio Sorbello (1996–97)
• MLT Patrick Curmi (1997)
• MLT Alfred Cutajar (1997)
• ITA Orazio Sorbello (1998)
• FR Yugoslavia Milisav Bogdanović (1998)
• ENG Andy Weavill (1999-2001)
• BUL Atanas Marinov (2001–03)
• MLT Patrick Curmi (2 Jul 2003 -1 Oct 2003)
• BUL Guentcho Dobrev (8 Oct 2003– 10 Mar 04)
• MLT Michael Degiorgio (2004– 24 Feb 05)
• BUL Atanas Marinov (8 Jul 2006 – 07)
• MLT Marco Gerada (2007–08)
• MLT Steve D'Amato (Oct 2008–11)
• MLT Jesmond Zammit (2011–12)
• MLT Stefan Sultana (Feb 2012–13)
• ITA Giuseppe Forasassi (2013–14)
• MLT Steve D'Amato (2014–16)
• MLT Jacques Scerri (2016–18)
• ITA Giovanni Tedesco (2018–19)
• ITA Manuele Blasi (2019–20)
• ITA Andrea Ciaramella (2020)
• MLT Mark Buttigieg (2020–2022)
• SRB Branko Nišević (2022–2023)
• ITA Luciano Zauri (2023–2024)
• ITA Alessandro Zinnari (May 2024– April 2025)
• MLT Winston Muscat (April 2025 – June 2025)
• ITA Giacomo Modica (June 2025–)

Honours

• Maltese Premier League
  • Winners (11): 1913–14, 1917–18, 1946–47, 1982–83, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1990–91, 2020–21, 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25
• Maltese FA Trophy
  • Winners (6): 1982–83, 1983–84, 1986–87, 1987–88, 1988–89, 1991–92
• Maltese Super Cup
  • Winners (7): 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 2023, 2024
• Euro Challenge Cup
  • Winners (4): 1985, 1988, 1991, 1992
• Cassar Cup
  • Winners (2): 1947–47, 1948–49
• Super 5 Tournament (Quadrangular Tournament)
  • Winners (1): 1991–92
• Challenge Cup
  • Winners (1): 2024

European record

Youth Nursery

Hamrun Spartans Youth Nursery was founded by Tony Bajada in December 1987. At the time the Nursery catered for around 40 players.

References

References

1. Camilleri, Valhmor. (2020-03-05). "Watch: Joseph Portelli appointed new president of Ħamrun Spartans". SportsDesk.
2. "LaLiga: The best show in Malta | News | Liga de Fútbol Profesional 2016".
3. (29 August 2025). "At least €3.17m: Ħamrun Spartans’ European breakthrough promises major financial windfall". [[Malta Independent]].
4. (1 May 2011). "Hamrun Spartans – The Terrors Of Malta". [[Malta Independent]].
5. (3 November 2022). "Andrea Cassar: "I lost nearly three years of my life fighting for justice"".
6. (16 July 2013). "Three Ħamrun players banned for match fixing".
7. Camilleri, Valhmor. (2021-04-09). "Ħamrun Spartans declared as Malta champions as MFA halt Premier League". SportsDesk.
8. (9 June 2021). "AB: Hamrun Spartans FC admission criteria". [[UEFA]].
9. (4 May 2024). "Ħamrun painted black and red as Spartans lift 10th premier league trophy". [[Times of Malta]].
10. (28 August 2025). "Ħamrun Spartans make history as first Maltese team to reach UEFA league phase".
11. (29 August 2025). "At least €3.17m: Ħamrun Spartans’ European breakthrough promises major financial windfall". [[Malta Independent]].
12. (27 November 2025). "Historic win for Ħamrun Spartans in UEFA Conference League". Times of Malta.
13. [https://www.facebook.com/HamrunSpartansFCOfficial/posts/earlier-this-afternoon-a-press-conference-was-held-at-giardini-lambrosa-where-th/2639847336048207/ Hamrun Spartans squad list 2019–20 season] {{Webarchive. link. (11 June 2024 , facebook.com, 21 August 2019)
14. Camilleri, Valhmor. (2 Jul 2003). "Curmi looks forward for second spell at Hamrun". [[Times of Malta]].
15. (10 Mar 2004). "Dobrev announces departure".
16. (24 February 2005). "Spartans coach handed one-year ban". [[Times of Malta]].
17. (9 July 2006). "Marinov returns for second spell as Hamrun coach". [[Times of Malta]].
18. Camilleri, Valhmor. (3 February 2020). "Spartans sack coach Blasi". [[Times of Malta]].
19. Camilleri, Valhmor. (2022-02-15). "Branko Nisevic agrees terms to take over as Ħamrun Spartans coach". [[SportsDesk]].