Volume III of this work by Maltese football historian, Carmel Baldacchino covers the period between 1936 and 1949. This work, which is planned to go to 10 volumes, is recognised by the Malta Football Association as its official history.

This volume goes through in minute detail the immediate pre-war era of the game in Malta, the war years and the 1940s when football was re-organised at the end of hostilities.

The Second World War interrupted a great period in the history of Maltese football. The years between 1936 and 1939 were years of plenty at least as far as football was concerned. It was a period when many famous footballers fled their countries and some of them sought refuge in Malta. The standard of the game improved beyond recognition and the public flowed to the stadium in their thousands.

Things however, came to an end when Italy declared war on Britain and its allies. Surprisingly however, the war did not kill the game completely. Somehow, despite all the difficulties he encountered, Carmelo Scicluna managed to keep the gates of the stadium open.

The post-war period brought great changes in the daily lives of the Maltese. The country slowly picked itself up from the ashes of the war and started on the long trek which was to lead it to Independence.

The 1940s were another great period in the history of local football. It was characterised by the re-kindling of the old rivalry between the districts of Valletta and Hamrun and the age-old rivalry between Sliema and Floriana.

In this volume the author has captured those great moments and this will surely revive many fond memories to those who still remember that glorious era.

Once again, as in the first two volumes Mr Baldacchino has kept his story in chronological order.  The book is divided in four parts:

Part 1:    Football in Malta

Part 2:    The National Team

Part 3:    Foreign Teams

Part 4:    The A-Z of Maltese Football

While Parts 1 to 3 give the story of what was happening in Maltese football during the period covered by this volume, the narrative is supplemented by a huge amount of statistical data which makes this book a must for all football lovers.

Part 4 is a true encyclopaedia of Maltese football in that it lists all events, competitions, players, referees, coaches, officials, Maltese and foreign teams and football writers of the era.

Goal volume 3 is published by Horizons and can be bought from the publishers, BDL and book stores.

For more information phone on 2144 1604.