Paul Buttigieg, an active member of the Maltese Canadian Club of London, gave me a brief history of his life including some soccer facts which, to some, may be a revelation. Paul was born in Hamrun some sixty -five years ago and started his soccer career with the Hamrun Eagles 'Under 16s', a very popular team in the 50s. At that time, Hamrun Spartans had a very strong 'Under 18' team and cracking the side was very difficult. So, Paul decided to join the Tarxien Little Rainbows where he played for one year. Paul signed with the Spartans at age 19 and played on the Reserves squad. In 1956 he turned semi-pro for the pricely sum of L200 as a signing bonus. In 1957 Paul was promoted to the senior team where he played for almost ten years. During these ten years, Paul travelled with the team to Benghazi, Tripoli, Messina, Catania, and Rome. When in Benzaghi, Paul played a great game and he was offered a contract to stay and play for the Benghazi team. In his inimitable humourous manner, Paul remarked that he was seriously tempted since, at the time they stayed in the same hotel where Famal Abdel Nasser, the President of Egypt, and Diana Ross were staying. Diana Ross even attended the game which saw the Spartans side beat the Benghazis 4 to 2. He figured that he was important enough to deserve the company of the Egyptian President and a famous singer.

Paul figures that the best game of his career came on April 27, 1963 when the Spartans played the Hibernians and won the game 2 to 1, denying the Hibs the league Title. In that game, Paul scored a goal and Robbie DeCesare a sportswriter at the time had this to say in the Times of Malta: "Yesterday's match, will long be remembered for the exhilerating display put up by the Spartans' outside-right Paul Buttigieg. The latter played many a fine game in the past but I am sure, his play never dazzled as it did yesterday." A mighty fine credential especially since it came from Robbie DeCesare who was not exactly a Hamrun Spartans supporter.

Harun Spartans 1st Division team Circa 1961 Paul is seen squatting - first from left

In the early 60s Paul played on two Malta Football Association teams. Paul married his wife Mary in 1960 and by 1967 they had two sons, George and Joe.

In 1965 paul was offered LM400 plus a job to play with the Maltese George Cross team in Melbourne, Australia, but he lost his chance since he was not ready to leave his country at that time. Ironically Paul, Mary and their two sons emigrated to Australia in 1967 where they stayed for approximately three years.

In 1970 they returned to Malta and stayed for four years during which time their third son, Adrian was born. In 1974 the Buttigiegs emigrated and made Canada their permanent home. Paul found a job with Salmon Plumbing where he stayed for twenty-two years until he had to retire because of a work related disability. Paul comes from a Soccer family. His older brother Joseph (Guzi) was a well known player and he played for Valletta and Hamrun. He represented Malta on M.F.A. teams on various matches. Another brother, Walter also played for the Spartans in the very late 40s and early 50s before he emigrated to Australia, where he still lives.

Pauls sons, Joe and Adrian both play soccer here and George is a soccer coach. Paul's five grandchildren are all involved in soccer activities. Joe's son Andrew plays with the Maltese Youth Soccer team who very recently won the championship.

Paul has a great sense of humour and one never gets bored around him. He likes to reminisce about the good old days in Hamrun and remembers well known characters like Toni Cardona(l-Lafoy), the barber, Guzeppi Zahra (Patatu) who was a known tour organizer, Balel tat-Trocadero a bar and eatery which was situated between Elia Borg Bonaci and St. Joseph Band Club and many others who were part of the Hamrun fabric in the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

Unfortunatly many such acquaintances have passed on and the simplicity of life of that era has disappeared. Like other towns and villages, Hamrun has indeed changed and for the older folk, it has lost its charm.

During a recent visit to Malta, his son Adrian went to the offices of The Times and obtained copies of sports and soccer games write-ups which appeared in the Times of Malta during Paul's ten years with the Spartans. Adrian had the copies bound in a hard cover and brought it to his dad. Needless to say, Paul is very proud and protective of this book. During our chat about this article, I could see that soccer still runs in his veins and his face lights up when he comes across old photos of the Spartans. He has some good action shots during various games, but most of ones which Hamrun Spartans won or when he had scored a goal. It is amazing how a few photographs, all having a specific story behind them, resurrect those special feelings about days gone by.

Paul continues to follow Hamrun Spartans progress during the soccer season as well as the English and European League games. Besides soccer, he plays a good game of snooker and occasionally he plays a few games at the club.