Naxxar Lions F.C.

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

Naxxar Lions

Full name	Naxxar Lions
Nickname(s)	The Lions
Founded	1920; 105 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

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

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 enjoyed a very positive period in the 1940s. After spending several years languishing in the lower divisions, the team experienced a resurgence of success. In 1946, they secured promotion to the top-flight division after winning a decider against Ħamrun Liberty.^[1] Michael Zammit Tabona was appointed club president, establishing Naxxar Lions as one of the top teams on the island, competing for several years in the Maltese Premier Division. However, after being relegated from the top tier at the beginning of the new century, the club faced a difficult period and was eventually demoted to the Third Division.

Following a series of successful seasons, Naxxar Lions achieved back-to-back promotions: from the Third Division to the Second Division in 2009–10, and from the Second Division to the First Division in 2010–11. They maintained their First Division status in 2011–12, finishing in 6th place. In the 2012–13 season, under the presidency of Dione Drago, Naxxar Lions were promoted to the Maltese Premier League. After three consecutive seasons in the top flight, the club was relegated to the First Division, only to bounce back the following year with another promotion under the presidency of Pierre Sciberras.

In September 2017, Mr. Yahya Kirdi took over as president of Naxxar Lions Football Club. The club was relegated to the First Division on the final day of the Premier League season. During the 2018–19 campaign, Naxxar Lions defied expectations and secured a 4th-place finish in the First Division.

Pierre Sciberras was re-appointed as club president for the 2019–20 season, which was cut short in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team finished in 4th place. Naxxar Lions participated in the BOV Challenge League during the 2020–21 season, which also ended prematurely due to the pandemic, finishing in 6th place with two matches not played.

In 2020, the club celebrated its 100th anniversary (1920–2020). Angelo Pullicino was appointed as club president in December of that year. During the 2021–22 season, Naxxar Lions again competed in the Challenge League, finishing 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.

In the 2022–23 season, Naxxar Lions FC competed in the BOV Challenge League. In January 2023, they reached the Championship Pool and went on to secure 2nd place. On March 12, 2023, they earned promotion to the Maltese Premier League.

In the 2023–24 season, Naxxar Lions FC competed in the BOV Premier League and achieved a 6th-place finish — the club's highest-ever league ranking.

In the 2024–25 season, Naxxar Lions FC maintained their status in the Maltese Premier League. It was a challenging campaign, with the club securing survival thanks to crucial performances in the latter stages of the season. A key victory against Balzan and a decisive win over Melita proved vital in ensuring top-flight football for another year.

Club Committee

• President: Adrian Fenech
• Vice President: Simon Camilleri
• Vice President: Krista Chetcuti
• Vice President: Pierre Sciberras
• Secretary: Shaun Camilleri
• Treasurer: Jonathan Carachi
• Members: Clivert Burke / Francesco Mercieca / Martin Attard / Nicholas Micallef / Sandro Galea / Silvio Attard / Victor Micallef
• Club Manager: Omar Borg

Technical Staff

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

Current squad

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  MLT Matthias Debono (on loan from Hamrun Spartans) 8 MF  MLT Neil Pace Cocks 9 FW  COL Edward Bolaños 10 FW  BRA Edson Farias 12 GK  MLT Andre Fenech

No. Pos. Nation Player 13 DF  MLT Kayne Haber 29 MF  MLT Jake Borg 33 DF  BRA Joao Moura 99 GK  MLT Andriy Vella

Honours

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