Marsaxlokk

Early years (1949–1954)

The first team from Marsaxlokk represented in MFA competitions were Beland City back in 1944. Although the team was formed within the Zejtun, they decided to represent Marsaxlokk after the MFA adopted the scheme of representation of the district.

After World War II, a number of teams could be formed and in 1949 eventually team Marsaxlokk FC was formed. Marsaxlokk White Stars took part in the Amateur Cup and in 1955 they applied to take part in competitions organized by the MFA.

The association held a series of play-offs to fill the gap that was left team Naxxar Lions in the Third Division. Nevertheless, after two years, the team decided to withdraw from the competitions MFA.

In 1965, Marsaxlokk FC again applied to participate in the competitions of the MFA. The application was accepted. In season between 1965 and 1966, they took part in the league of the Third Division, finished in third place and reached the final of the Knock Out. The season after, Marsaxlokk FC finished runner-up in both the league and in the Knock Out thereby gained promotion for the first time. But season after (1970–71) they were again relegated. The promotion to the second division again achieved the following season (1973–74). After an excellent season in the league, where they maintained a record without defeat, they lost against in Siggiewi Championship decider. They remained in the Second Division until the 1977–78 season when they were relegated.

After eight years in the Third Division, Marsaxlokk won Section B in 1985–86 to then be promoted to the Second Division. The season after, they failed to be promoted so fell again in the Third Division. However, in the 1991–92 season, they won the Third Division Section A with only one loss in Championship decider on penalties against Zejtun Corinthians.

Then, back in the Second Division, Marsaxlokk have set themselves until finally won the Second Division in 1999–2000, to eventually be promoted to First Division. In 2002–2003 season, Marsaxlokk were promoted for the first time in the Premier League having been crowned champions of the First Division Rothmans.

Then after two years in the Maltese Premier League, for the first time, Marsaxlokk wrote in their history the final of the FA Trophy. Although lost against champions Sliema Wanderers c, are qualified for the first round of UEFA Cup qualification where finally have met with NK Primorje of Slovenia.

Entering the League (1955–1957)

The club applied for a place in the Malta Football Association competitions in 1955. The Malta Football Association organised a series of play-offs to fill a vacancy left by Naxxar Lions in the Maltese Third Division.

Marsaxlokk went on to win the play-offs and secure a place in the Maltese Third Division, but following a lack of interest in the club, they opted out of Malta Football Association after just two years.

Re-entering the League (1965–1978)

In 1965, Marsaxlokk again applied to take part in the Malta Football Association competitions and their application was accepted. Marsaxlokk took part in the Maltese Third Division 1965/66, finishing in third place and reaching the final of the Knock-Out. The following season, the Southseasiders finished as runners-up in both the Maltese Third Division and again reached the knock-out.

They managed to win promotion to the Maltese Second Division for the first time in their history during the 1970/71 season, but were relegated the following season. The club again achieved promotion to Maltese Second Division in 1973/74, following an excellent league campaign where they held an unbeaten record, and only lost to Siggiewi in the championship decider.

Marsaxlokk retained their Maltese Second Division status until for five seasons, until 1977/78 when they returned to the Maltese Third Division following yet another relegation.

Between the Maltese Third Division and the Maltese Second Division (1978–1992)

The club remained in the Maltese Third Division for eight years, before winning Section B in 1985/86 and as a result gained promotion back to Maltese Second Division. The promotion didn't last long and the club were relegated back to the Maltese Third Division the following season.

Some six seasons later Marsaxlokk found themselves back in the Maltese Second Division after winning the Maltese Third Division Section A, and only failed to clinch the championship decider to the Zejtun Corinthians on penalties.

Promotion to the Maltese First Division (1992–2000)

Marsaxlokk established themselves as a Maltese Second Division side for nearly a decade, until they finally won the Maltese Second Division for the first time in the history in 1999–2000, and won promotion to the Maltese First Division.

Promotion to the Maltese Premier League (2000–02)

With the club seemingly doing well, they spent just two seasons in the Maltese First Division.

Marsaxlokk won the Maltese First Division during the 2001–02 season, and were promoted as champions to the Maltese Premier League, where the club would appear for the first time in their history.

Entering Europe (2003–05)

After two years in the Maltese Premier League, the Southseasiders managed to reach the final of the Maltese Cup in 2004; this was the first time the club had ever reached the final, and despite the club losing to the champions, the Sliema Wanderers.

Despite the fact that Marsaxlokk had lost in the final of the Maltese Cup, they qualified for the first qualifying round of the UEFA Cup where they met NK Primorje of Slovenia, losing 1–0 at home in the first leg and 2–0 in Slovenia in the return leg.

It was reported on 6 January 2003 that the ambitious Maltese club had made an attempt to sign former England player Paul Gascoigne, but the club failed in any attempt, despite a reported salary of £12,500 a month, which would have been a record salary in Malta had Gascoigne agreed to the terms.

During the January transfer window of 2003/04, the club strengthened the squad further, with the signings of highly rated young Maltese midfield duo André Schembri from Hibernians and Cleavon Frendo from Pietà Hotspurs.

Marsaxlokk were showing real promise by this stage and were looking ready to challenge the likes of the Sliema Wanderers, Valletta and Birkirkara to major honours, and yet again signalled they were a side improving. However, the side finished in fifth place for the 2004–05 season, a place lower than their highest-ever league finish of fourth the season prior.

(2005–06) season

In the 2005–06 season, Marsaxlokk signed: Brazil-born striker Wendell Gomes and Portuguese ex-Boavista defender Nuno Gomes joined the club, along with Malta internationals, defender Carlo Mamo from the Sliema Wanderers and Jamie Pace from Valletta.