John Holland was born on 5 July 1953. He has been happily married to Louise for 42 years and has a son and daughter, Jonathan 41 years old, currently Birkirkara’s senior team assistant coach and Abigail 38 years, currently expecting her first baby.
John is the second of seven boys and one girl. There is a span of 11 years between the eldest and the youngest but at that time it was the norm. “I was brought up in a happy healthy environment but not in any way pampered. Following the initial three years of my parent’s marriage we moved to Floriana from Sliema. We lived in a large house overlooking the Grand Harbour with a large garden across the road, which I only remember being referred to as Il-ġnien ta’ wara s-sur.”
“The weekend was my favourite time. My brother Julian and I, together with a few other friends, spent nearly all our days roaming around, climbing trees, playing passju, Cowboys and Indians and playing marbles (bocci) with certain games seeming to be seasonal. Playing football or shooting and heading games were played all year round. Soon after my First Holy Communion I started serving as an altar boy at the Capucchin’s church in Floriana.”
The experience of a local altar boy took him also abroad when he was chosen to serve at the Vatican. “I served at the Vatican for over a month with a group of Maltese altar boys. But to add more to my childhood memories, for quite a few years I also formed part of the Floriana Boy Scouts Group. These days were full of laughs and adventures, especially during hikes and camping.”
John also gave an insight on his educational background. “I started attending the Franciscan kinder school in Floriana before starting my primary school years at St Joseph Convent School in Blata l-Bajda. I spent my secondary school years, starting from the age of 11 at St Joseph Secondary Technical School in Paola. Happy times as we could play football every day − the school had a huge playing area with leagues for different age groups being organised regularly.”
At that time it was just street football, there were no nurseries. “Yes football in Floriana was a natural thing at the time. The most common comment when a male was born was if he would turn into a footballer. We were all self-taught, spending a lot of time playing football, before school, after school, before and after Catechism lessons. The most common ball being made out of cloth (tac-carruta).
But how did John’s interest in competitive football start? “By the end of the 50s, Julian and I used to accompany my father to the Empire Stadium to watch Floriana play. A league was organised for the under 15s between clubs and groups from Floriana like the Catholic Action, Young Christian workers, the Boys Scouts, and so on. The games were played on a Sunday morning. No organised training was held during the week. Football was part of the fabric of life in Floriana.”
‘Truly my first experience of competitive and organised football started in January 1969 when my grandfather, is-Sur Gian Bencini, the founder of Melita Football Club, asked my brother and I, if we would like to join up with the minor team. We played for the rest of that season and the following one. At that time Melita were on an unbeaten run of four years winning four consecutive leagues. In the 43rd game I committed a mistake, which ended in us suffering a goal and a subsequent defeat, one which to date I haven’t forgotten.”
But 50 years ago saw the brothers joining ranks with the Greens. “It was on 18 August 1970 when we were involved in a player exchange transfer. Edwin Gera moving to Melita and we were being transferred to Floriana. During my first year as a minor player we won the league. I was involved with the reserves as well and also formed part of the Maltese Under 18 youth squad.”
John kept on going down memory lane and mentioned the inevitable when he made his debut for the Greens. “27 November 1971 is one of the most important dates − my first team debut as a left back in a League game vs Gzira United which ended in a goalless draw. I kept my place for the next seven games, before badly twisting my ankle, which kept me out up to the last part of the season. Then I came on as a substitute in the title decider against Sliema Wanderers, which we unfortunately lost by two goals to nil. A game, which we deserved to win. This was one of my first and biggest disappointments.”
John made up a bit for this disappointment when he came on as a substitute in the 3-0 Trophy win against rivals Sliema Wanderers. “Season 1972/73 was the one in which I became a regular in the centre of the Greens’ defence. In one of the club’s best displays in Europe, I played in the centre half position against Hungarian side Ferencvaros. A game which we won 1-0, thanks to a superb display from Louis Arpa. We ended the season winning the league. Up to season 1978/79 the club passed through one of its best eras. Especially when in season 1975/76 we lost the league at the expense of Sliema Wanderers but started on an unbeaten run of 37 games winning the Testaferrata Cup and Trophy followed by capturing the league and all cups and trophy the following season. On a personal level I was awarded the footballer of the year twice.”
John’s last competitive game was a 3-2 win over Rabat Ajax on 29 January 1989. “Eight days later in a friendly against Nuremberg I badly twisted my knee and my efforts to recover proved futile. So my 18-season stint sadly came to an abrupt end. But I still thank God for this fantastic experience.”
In an illustrious career like Holland’s, there are obviously some good and also some bad times. “Season 1976/77 was unbelievably good for the team. Unfortunately, within a few years, the team was weakened when players, the calibre of Willie Vassallo emigrated and Anton Camilleri and Louis Arpa called it a day. All were still younger than 30. The team just managed to win the Trophy against Senglea. It was season 1980/81 at the Empire Stadium, the last Trophy Final before football moved to Ta’ Qali. Later came the resurgence of Hamrun who took from us George and Raymond Xuereb and Edwin Farrugia. We kept struggling until in season 1984/85 we were relegated. That was the worst experience I had to go through, but thankfully we won promotion immediately.”
“Another interesting experience was when I had to go and play in goal on three occasions, incidentally all happening in the same season. Following Tony Farrugia being injured, the first was in a European Competition against Brugges and I played for over 30 minutes. On that occasion I had to pick out the ball on two occasions. The other games were against Valletta 0-0 and Marsa 5-5. Surely, I cannot fail to mention the biggest disappointment with the national team following the 12-1 debacle against Spain.”
John played with just one team – Floriana. Did he ever think of changing clubs and what does it mean to be a club man? “At that time it was normal for a player to remain with his home team unless he had a chance to move to a ‘bigger’ club. Very rarely would a player from Floriana, Sliema, Valletta or Hibernians, join one of the other rival clubs. Remember that I am first and foremost a Floriana supporter, so going to play with another team never crossed my mind. There was only one instance when it took longer than usual to agree to the terms.”
John Holland played 61 times for the national team. What did it mean to him to put on the national shirt and represent one’s country? “Being chosen to represent my country was always an honour. I always felt that I had the responsibility that my performances and commitment had to be more than 100%.”
But do you remember any particular moments during your international career that made you proud? “Surely the 2-0 victory over Greece and our home-drawn game 0-0 against West Germany. It was also a great result besides a satisfying performance. Scoring away is always a great achievement. I remember when we drew level against Portugal and Turkey but eventually losing 2-3 and 1-2 respectively. Scoring away is quite impressive when the stadium suddenly goes very quiet.”
With Floriana, Holland also enjoyed many glory days. Does he think that we are now into a Floriana revival? “Well, Floriana unfortunately have only managed a couple of FA Trophy successes in the past 10 seasons, so the league has been missing since 92/93. Therefore, winning the League this season has to be considered as an incredible achievement. Moreover, as Floriana did not start as favourites but performed and challenged from Day 1. Whether this can be called a revival can only be seen in the future. Floriana would need more frequent successful campaigns with a regular League or FA Trophy win every other year. Apart from this qualification, European football is a must especially from a financial aspect and it is only here that I will consider this as a revival. I hope it is a revival and the start to a new successful era, but if we do not challenge every year it will be a false dawn.”
John admits that nowadays he follows his favourite team through the media and rarely attends. But how does he compare today’s football with that of the good old days. “Comparisons are odious and I find it very hard to compare football or players from different eras. So many factors have changed over the years, from football played on hard surfaces to grass pitches. Nowadays the natural surface pitch at the National Stadium is watered before matches and the grass is shorter. That helps, obviously with the tempo of the game; players today seem fitter and leaner.”
“Also there is a lot more emphasis on tactical aspects of the game and coaches seem to take care of detail more and more. Sometimes this will have an impact on the initiative and flare of the individual which is not manifested as much. I think the level of the so-called smaller teams closed the gap with the top teams. Obviously, this can be attributed mainly to the number of foreign players allowed in each team. This has undoubtedly raised competitiveness.”
Witnessing some good results lately John seems adamant that the way forward is professionalism. “Some fantastic results in European competitions, like those attained by Birkirkara and Gzira, are significant. Given the resources, the achievements are incredible. However, it will always be hard to raise the level significantly unless elite clubs turn professional and have a system supported financially in which players can dedicate a career solely to football.”
But does the future of Maltese football look bright? “I truly believe that local young players can only reach a truly competitive level if they participate in international tournaments and play friendlies abroad, as they are tested against foreign opposition from a very young age. It’s when they compete against stronger and smarter players that they can learn to close the gap. Obviously this applies to senior football.”
Turning onto a more personal level John states that family is the core of his life. “We are there for each other, in the good days and bad times.”
But what is John’s favourite food? “My wife’s baked macaroni is the best. I love it. I’m a pasta lover and another favourite plate is spaghetti bolognaise. Roast beef also ranks top of the list.”
Great Britain is the place where John likes most when travelling though every country has got its characteristics. Apart from travelling he also has other hobbies. “I like reading a lot and also gardening. These are two things that give you peace of mind and drift you away, at least momentarily, from the realities of life which at times tend to be heavy.”
One final appeal from the experienced ex-Floriana and Malta international. “Don’t give up if losing or not playing. Dedication is a must, both on and off the field. Always be confident in your abilities but work on your weaknesses making them your strengths. In life look ahead and don’t make excuses but find solutions. You have to dream big and work harder. Moreover, always be respectful to your club, your coaches, your teammates, your opposition and officials.”