Marsaxlokk celebrated their title victory in style on Sunday evening, not only by beating Sliema Wanderers 4-1 in their last match, but also at the southern seaside village where the players were greeted by hundreds of delirious fans on their arrival on a float in the form of a fishing boat.

It was a glorious ending to a wonderful campaign which saw the side dominating almost from the start of the season, had it not been for that opening match defeat against Birkirkara.

They took the lead at the top soon after and never relinquished their hold even if they suffered two more defeats in the process.

However, it was not just a memorable title win. It was a deserved victory for coach Brian Talbot, the players and the Sciriha family. They all pulled the rope together and, at the end, they emerged triumphant over all other opposition, with the more illustrious ‘names’ of Sliema, Birkirkara, Valletta and Hibernians, having to play second fiddle.

Marsaxlokk were simply the best team in the competition. They showed the best football, they showed more consistency in form and results and, in a few words, they were in a class of their own.

To achieve such a success was not easy but considering they had the right coach and the right players, then it was evident that they had the best blend.

Talbot needed no introduction here as he had led Hibernians to several successes in the 1990s. His credentials are well known and although his tactics may be rigid, his players know that he can get the best out of them.

With players of the calibre of Justin Haber and Reuben Gauci between the posts, Carlo Mamo, Charlo Magro, Luke Dimech and Stephen Wellman at the back, Cleaven Frendo, Gareth Sciberras, Jamie Pace and Kevin Sammut in midfield and with such a striking force composed of Daniel Bogdanovic and Andre Schembri scoring at will, there was no doubt as to where the honours would eventually go. And this not to mention the other players in the squad which also included players of the calibre of Peter Pullicino, Malcolm Licari, Haruna Doda, Kevin Mamo and Udo Nwoko.

Suffice to say that nine of these players form part of the national team under the charge of Dusan Fitzel, and this should be proof enough as to why Marsaxlokk were so superior over all their other rivals this season.

It has been the dream of former club president Victor Sciriha to see his side landing a major trophy before seeking pastures new.

It is now more than evident that he will be joining Valletta FC as from next season, though he will probably need a special permission from the association to be able to complete the move, especially if some member of the family will still have an interest in the Marsaxlokk side.

Sciriha has worked hard over the past four years to give this side a top club image and his dream has now come true. Marsaxlokk started as a small club but made quick improvements to move up to the top echelons of Maltese football in a short span of time.

I firmly believe that if they manage to retain the same squad, as it is already being rumoured, then it will be difficult for any other team to lift them off their current perch, which they certainly deserve.

Also, the past weekend saw Birkirkara clinching third place after beating Hibernians 2-0 on Friday evening. Valletta would have remained in the hunt had Birkirkara dropped two points or lost that match, but on Saturday the Citizens could only figure in a 2-2 draw with Msida St Joseph, though admittedly, they had no further interest in the proceedings.

At present, Birkirkara can only say that they will certainly be playing European football, but whether it will be the UEFA Cup or the Intertoto Cup still remains to be seen. Everything depends on the outcome of the FA Trophy.

In the semi-finals later this week, Valletta will be meeting Hibernians and then Sliema take on Msida St Joseph. Valletta, Hibernians and Msida have to win the competition to take part in the UEFA Cup. They all are aware that as losing finalists against Sliema, they will not earn a UEFA Cup berth. In fact, if Sliema win the Trophy, then Birkirkara will play in the UEFA Cup as the third placed team in the League and Valletta will move into the Intertoto Cup, via the fourth place.

Best player

Cleaven Frendo (Marsaxlokk)

My last pick this season falls on the champions’ midfielder Cleaven Frendo who was outstanding in the match against Sliema on Sunday evening.

The youngster, who also had a spell in Italy with Torino’s youngsters in the past, is a clever player who will certainly improve in future. He is already well known for his assists and good crosses especially from set-pieces, but he can also score some good goals as that he netted on Sunday which paved the way for his side’s 4-1 win.

I am sure that this youngster has enough talent to work his way back into the national team as well. More dedication and commitment will enable him to reach his goal.

The scorers

M’XLOKK (74): D. Bogdanovic 31, A. Schembri 11, K. Sammut 9, H. Doda 8, J. Pace 3, C. Mamo 2, G. Sciberras 2, C, Frendo 2, S. Bajada, M. Licari, S. Garci, , I. Azzopardi (Floriana) og, R. Conceicao (St George’s) og

MSIDA SJ (40): D. Nwoke 13, I. Babatunde 13, O. Zongo 4, R. Baldacchino 3, T. Farrugia 2, P. Fenech 2, D. Cachia, P. Pullicino, S. Bajada

VALLETTA (55): S. Monesterolo 16, G. Agius 10, R. Siberie 7, D. Falzon 4, B. Nisevic 3, K. Magro 3, I. Zammit 3, D. Zarb 2, E. Uzeh 2, M. Grima 2, J. Grioli, M. Barbara, D. Camilleri

FLORIANA (41): A. Mifsud 9, W. Gomes 8, T. Cilia 6, M. Micallef 5, C. Caruana 3, C. Cassar 2, R. Newell 2, I. Azzopardi, M. Gauci, G. Rtsa, Spasojevic, A. Buhagiar, K. Formosa

HIBS (45): T. Scerri 14, A. Cohen 8, N. Chukunyere 6, M. Bartolo 4, P. C. Doffo 3, T. Caruana 2, A. Xuereb 2, U. Nwoko, A. Pulis, J. Vella 2, T. Farrugia, K. Spiteri

BIRKIRKARA (48): J.P. Mifsud Triganza 11, E. Barbara 11, M. Galea 6, G. Mallia 3, D. Larrossa 3, W. Camenzuli 2, R. Briffa 2, A. Ciantar 2, A. Paradiso, M. Calascione, L. Galea, MA Bonnici, H. Sbai, P. Monye, J. Holland, J. Zerafa

SLIEMA (50): I. Woods 20, A. Madzar 7, A. Muscat 4, C. Nwoko 5, R. Bajada 4, M. Galea 2, Z. Zvoboda 2, O. Anonam 2, J. Chetcuti, M. Scerri, S. Giglio, M. DiLello

MARSA (20): A. Scerri 4, V. Bellia 3, E. Yantchev 3, A. Ewurun 2, W. Chircop 2, I. Umoru 2, B. Zammit, D. Cucciardi, K. Scerri, S. Cutajar

ST GEORGE’S (23): Effiong 7, L. Mizzi 5, R. Conceicao 3, H. Schembri 2, S. Sciberras, E. do Nascimento, L. Pace, J. Spiteri, N. Abela, L. Grima

PIETA H. (29): M. Deanov 6, S. Kondev 4, D. Kokavessis 3, D. Theuma 2, A. Decesare 2, D. Camenzuli 2, Q. Refalo 2, D. Gatt 2, A. Debono, C. Pulo, R. Galabov, S. Ciscaldi, D. Mifsud, K. Formosa (Floriana) og