# Naxxar Lions F.C.

Naxxar Lions Football Club is a professional football club from the town of Naxxar in northern Malta.
Their historical and arch-rivals are Mosta FC. A match between Naxxar Lions and Mosta FC, is known as the derby of the north, but because there are other derbies in northern Malta it is also known as the Northern Classic.

## History

Naxxar Lions Football Club is a football club from the town of Naxxar in the northern part of Malta. Founded in 1920, it was the first football club in the north of Malta.
The club had a very positive period in the 1940s and after some years languishing in the lower divisions, the club had several years of glory. In 1946 they secured promotion on the top flight division after winning the decider against Ħamrun Liberty. Michael Zammit Tabona was appointed president in the 1980s, establishing the club as one of the best on the island, playing for several years in the Maltese Premier Division. After being relegated from the top league at the beginning of the new century, the club had to face a difficult period and was relegated to third division a few years ago.
Following the recent successful seasons Naxxar Lions were promoted from 3rd Division to 2nd Division in season 2009–10, from 2nd Division to 1st Division in season 2010–11 and maintaining 1st Division status in season 2011–12 placing in 6th position. In the 2012–13 season Naxxar Lions gained promotion to the Maltese Premier League with Dione Drago as the president. After three consecutive years in the Premier League, they were relegated back to first division. The following season, Naxxar Lions gained again promotion to the Maltese Premier League under the Presidency of Pierre Sciberras.
In September 2017, Mr Yahya Kirdi took over Naxxar Lions Football Club and was appointed as president. Naxxar Lions were relegated to the first division in the last match of the Premier League. During Season 2018–19, against all odds, Naxxar Lions FC managed to finish in the 4th place of the First Division League.
Pierre Sciberras was re-appointed the club President for Season 2019-20 which ended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 situation, finishing 4th place. Naxxar Lions FC played Season 2020/21 in the BOV Challenge League, with the league ending early due to COVID (6th position with two matches less).
Naxxar Lions FC celebrated the 100 Years Anniversary (1920–2020). Angelo Pullicino was appointed as Club President in December 2020. During Season 2021–22, the club played again in the Challenge League and finished in the top 4 (4th).
Naxxar Lions FC played in the BOV Challenge League (Season 2022–23). In January 2023, Naxxar Lions reached the Championship Pool target, finishing 2nd place. On March 12, Naxxar Lions FC were promoted to Premier League.
In Season 2023-24, Naxxar Lions FC played in the BOV Premier League and finished 6th, highest ranking the club managed to reach. Currently, the club is playing in the 360 Sports Malta Premier (Maltese Top League).

### Club Committee

* President - Angelo Pullicino
* Vice Presidents - Krista Chetcuti
* Secretary - Simon Camilleri
* Treasurer - Shaun Camilleri
* MFA Council Member - Angelo Pullicino
* Members - Adrian Fenech / Clivert Burke / Francesco Mercieca / Leslie Noel Burke / Nicholas Micallef / Sandro Galea / Silvio Attard / Victor Micallef

### Technical Staff

* Head coach - George Vella
* Assistant Coach - Leslie Noel Burke
* Team Manager - Adrian Ciappara
* Physical Trainer - Trevor Fenech
* Physiotherapist - Bernard Von Bronkdorff
* Kit Managers - Clivert Burke / Dwayne Cauchi / Nicholas Micallef
* Youths Coach - Etienne Vella
* Technical Director - Omar Borg
* Club Doctor - Dr. Christopher Deguara
* Nursery Head Coach - Quelin Spiteri / Etienne Vella
* Club Administrator - Adrian Ciappara
* Website & Social Media Administrator - Shaun Camilleri

## Current squad

    As of 22 August, 2024
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | MLT | Matthias Debono (on loan from Hamrun Spartans) |
| 3 | DF | MLT | Nikolai Micallef |
| 4 | DF | SEN | Bacary Sané (on loan from Hamrun Spartans) |
| 7 | MF | JPN | Takuma Yamaguchi |
| 8 | MF | MLT | Neil Pace Cocks |
| 9 | FW | COL | Edward Bolaños |
| 10 | FW | BRA | Edson Farias |
| 11 | FW | JPN | Talla Ndao |
| 12 | GK | MLT | Andre Fenech |
| 13 | DF | MLT | Kayne Haber |
| 15 | DF | MLT | Ryan Cassar |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 18 | FW | BRA | Hugo Santos |
| 19 | FW | VEN | Aron Leal |
| 20 | MF | POR | Latón |
| 21 | MF | MLT | Matthias Fenech |
| 23 | MF | BRA | Maicon |
| 24 | MF | NGA | Olalekan Opajobi |
| 25 | DF | BRA | Fernando Barbosa |
| 29 | MF | MLT | Jake Borg |
| 31 | MF | SUR | Zamoranho Ho-A-Tham |
| 33 | DF | BRA | Joao Moura |
| 44 | MF | JPN | Yasukaze Ito |
| 99 | GK | MLT | Andriy Vella |

## Honours

1st Division Champions: 1987–88, 1993–94, 2012–13
2nd Division Champions (2nd level): 1945–46
2nd Division Champions (3rd level): 1986–87
3rd Division Champions: 1985–86
2nd & 3rd Division Knock Out Cup Winners: 1985–86
3rd Division Knock Out Cup Winners: 1971–72