Oratory Youths F.C.

Oratory Youths

Full name	Oratory Youths Football Club
Nickname(s)	Salesians/Greens/The Youths
Founded	1946
Ground	Gozo Stadium Gozo, Malta (Capacity: 4,000)
Chairman	George Curmi
Manager	John Cassar
League	Gozo Melita Division Two
2009-10	Gozo FL Division Two, 3rd
Home colours Away colours

Oratory Youths Football Club are a football club from the Maltese Isle of Gozo, from the capital of Victoria. The club were previously called the Salesian Youths founded in 1946, in relation to the Roman Catholic religious order Salesians of Don Bosco. The club was then renamed Oratory Youths but between the years 1978 and 1989 the club changed its name to Calypsian Bosco Youths before returning to the former and current name Oratory Youths. The club have won the Gozo Football League top division six times.

Honours

• Gozo First Division
  • Champions (6): 1948-49, 1952–53, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60

• Gozo Football Association Cup
  • Winners (1):1985-1986

• Gozo Second Division
  • Champions (3): 1948-49 (competed in both the 1st and 2nd div league), 1970–1971, 1979–80

• 2nd Division Knock Out
  • Winners (2):1991-92, 1994–95

Cups from the Past

• Liberty Cup
  • Winners (1):1952-53

• Coronation Cup
  • Winners (1):1952-53

• Galea Cup
  • Winners (Unofficial Statistic) (5):1951-1952, 1956–57, 1958–59, 1970–71, 1971–72

• Dingli Cup
  • Winners (Unofficial Statistic) (2):1956-1957, 1958–59

• MG Cup
  • Winners (1):1959-60

• Victoria Shield
  • Winners (1):2002

Youth Section Honours

Under 14

• APS Under 14 Football League
  • Champions (1): 2008-2009

• APS Under 14 Knock Out Cup
  • Winners (1):2008-2009

History

The beginning

The team with the name of Salesian Youths saw its beginning in 1946 in a particular house in St. Augustine Square which then was used by the Oratory of Don Bosco. It took this name because it was the year wherein it became evident that the Oratory was going to be administered by the Salesian Community. In fact the first Salesian, Fr. Alwig Mizzi S.D.B. was sent to Gozo on January 1947.

The founding pioneers of the Salesian Youths were those on whom responsibility was bestowed to write this study: Mr. Carmelo Pace, Mr. George Attard and Mr. Carmel Xuereb. Mr. George Farrugia and Mr. Anton Theuma were of constant help and were always found to give their help and advice whenever problems cropped up. Perhaps the team reached the successes that we are going to write about because these people persevered to the end.

In the beginning, it was not planned that the Salesians compete at the local championship. Thus we see them playing friendly matches with other Gozitan teams like the “Boy Scouts”. In the beginning the colours of the gear were yellow and white.

In the season of 1947/48, the G.F.A. organised a Minor League in which the Salesians competed. Others that took part were the Gozo Lyceum, the Victoria Stars and the Victoria Athletics; the latter went on to win the league.

In the following season, the popular first division team Victoria Athletics disbanded. Several of its players like Grech, the Mercieca brothers, Portelli, Tabone, Bondi, Gauci and others registered with the Salesian Youths. With the signature of these players, the Salesian Youths transformed itself into a very strong team, a team which started a new chapter in the local history of football; a team which always looked forward to the future with courage. The new colours were green and white.

Memorable Years

In the 1948/49 season, the Salesian Youths started their run in the first division gaining a multitude of honours. They were the golden years of this team and the furore of Gozitan football. In its first game of 6 February 1949, they won against the English team of the R.A.F. with the score of 6 – 1. They played with this formation: A. Grech, S. Grech, F. Cremona, C. Grech, J. Mercieca, A. Cefai, J. Cini, G. Mercieca, E. Mercieca, F. Gauci u C. Farrugia.

That year they won the championship with the maximum achievable points. The Salesian Youths continued to hold this monopoly of title Champions till the season of 1953/54. In this same season, they competed also under the same name in the Second Division and won also the league category.

It has to be said for the chronology of history, that no games were organised in Gozo for the seasons of 1949/50 and 1950/51. So the Salesians took the initiative and organised friendly matches against teams of the British Services and other Maltese teams. These years served well for the Salesians because they were able to form important contacts with several Maltese clubs.

In the season that followed, that is 1953/54 when the league was organised again, the Salesian Youths won again the title. In order to be faithful to history, we have to say that in 1955, the Salesian Youths split up. The players registered with Victoria Athletics from wherein they initially originated. It is to be known that Victoria Athletics had won the leagues of 1944/5, 1945/6, 1946/7 and this mentioned one 1954/55

When in 1956/57 the Salesian Youths competed again, they restarted gloriously and won the championship with honours. They scored 36 goals against only 7. The greatest score was against Xaghra FC when it ended 11 – 0. The Gozo Team of this season was mainly composed of players from this team. The same successes were achieved in the seasons that followed up to 1960/61. We have to state with all the due respects to all concerned, that this record was never beaten by any other Gozitan team.

As a proof of this, we shall quote from the first issue of “Lehen is-Salezjani f’Ghawdex” of January/March 1961 on the Salesian Youths page 13:

"it was a team that broke every record in Gozitan football. Here I mention the record that they never lost a point in the 1958-59 league; three years unbeaten in the League and the Knock Outs (1955-57) and also the record the no one scored against them, not even one goal in two league rounds."

Other Memorable Dates

Alongside these mentioned victories, there are also other dates that have to be prominently remembered. Among the first comes 30 March 1958, when for the first time in Gozitan football history, we saw the Salesian Youths play against the mighty Sliema Wanderers from Malta in the Silver Jubilee Sports Ground. It is true that they lost 5 – 0, but competing against class players like Joe Bonnici, Salvu Bonnici, Salvinu Schembri, Sammy Nicholl, Joe Xuereb, Maurice Walsh, Charlie Mattocks and Raymond Edwards and Ray Cosby with Victor Schembri two National goalkeepers, one cannot expect miracles. As guest players, the Salesians had Joe Cini (then Malta national captain), Joe Cilia centre half with Valletta FC and Paul Said striker with Rabat FC.

In those years, the Salesians were the only Gozitan team to succeed in playing at the Empire Stadium in Malta against Rabat FC where they lost 3 – 0; against Valletta (lost 4 -3) and against Gzira United where they lost 1 – 0.

In these particular years, the Salesians are proud to mention season 1952/53 when they won the League Championship, the Coronation Cup and the Liberty Cup against stubborn opposition like Victoria Hotspurs and Ghajnsielem Rangers. In the 1956/57 season, they won the Galea’s Cup, the Dingli’s Cup together with the League Championship. These winnings were again repeated in the 1958/59 season.

Distressing incidents

After the climax, there often comes in sports the anti-climax. The Salesians passed through these ugly storms of sporting life as already mentioned before in the 1954/55 season. On 6 February 1954, the team had to be disbanded because the exaggerated partisan pique between the teams reached uncontrollable limits so much so that an ugly light was being thrown on the Oratory.

In the 1953/54 season, the Salesians were refused permission, like other teams, to play some of their particular players. In 1957/58 season, the GFA passed a statutory resolution which impeded the Salesians from engaging guest players to the same limit as other Gozitan teams. It was a discriminatory amendment which the Salesians appealed against in front of the MFA and was revoked with all honours.

In 1959/60 season, the team won the MG Cup but did not continue to compete during the season due to some differences between the club and the GFA. Disciplinary measures were taken against the players and were refused to play. For this reason, the first division championship was cancelled. In January 1961, the GFA resigned and ceased to operate. The Salesian Youths like the St. George’s and Nadur Youngsters continued to organise friendly matches against Maltese football teams.

In September 1961, on the initiative of the Salesians and on the insistence of Vincent Grech (a Salesian player) assisted by other club members like Tarcisio Cefai (St. George’s FC) and Peter Paul Camilleri (Nadur Youngsters FC) endeavoured so that in October 1961 the GFA was reconstituted under a new statute.

In this season (1961/62), the teams that competed in the first division were Salesian Youths, St. George’s, Victoria Hotspurs, Nadur Youngsters and Ghajnsielem, while another five teams, among them Salesian Youngsters which also had their premises at the Oratory Don Bosco, competed in the Second Division. This was to be the last season for the Salesian Youths in the GFA competitions. This season had a poor start with two losses and five draws. The main challengers were Victoria Hotspurs who won against the Salesians 4 – 1.

This was the first season for the Salesians without winning the championship since 1948/49. The Salesians protested also with the GFA that Victoria Hotspurs made use of an English player Charles Jobson who was registered with another UK team and thus not having the legitimate permits.

The Renton Cup, as was know the trophy presented to the champions, was not returned back to the GFA by the Salesian Youths FC directors and consequently the last matches of the league were not played. The GFA declared Victoria Hotspurs champions of the First Division and initiated legal proceedings against Salesian Youths FC in order to recover back the Renton Cup trophy. In June 1962 at the Gozo Law Courts, the first session was held wherein Mr. Carmel Pace and Mr. Vincent Grech assisted by Dr. Carmelo Pace appeared for the Salesians, while the GFA was represented by Dr. Carmelo Schembri, Mr. Koli Apap and Dr. Francesco Masini. The case was deferred for the 10th October 1962. A preliminary agreement between the two parties was reached so that pending the final outcome of the case, the trophy will be kept under custody by Chev. Dr. Anton Tabone who at that time was the President of the Gozo Civic Council.

The administration of the Oratory Don Bosco, who in September 1962 was under the directorship of Fr. Vincent Debono SDB, believed that for the good of the Oratory and more so for what it stood for, it would be better that the football team discontinue from taking part in official competitions.

An agreement was concluded so that the court case with the GFA be settled amicably, and in fact in October 1962 the case was deferred “sine die” because both parties did not attend for the hearing.

At this stage I wish to mention the last game of the Salesians Youths FC. It was a historic occasion when in April 1962, the team organised a tour in Catania, Sicily. The team played at the Cibali Stadium, the official ground of Catania, who at that time competed in the Italian First Division. This event could only have succeeded due to the efforts and know-how of the unforgettable Dun Alwig Mizzi SDB. This occasion (most probably a first for Gozo) without doubt crowned the most brilliant epoch of this team.

Conclusion on the Salensian Youths

The title of this study and the historical facts therein are attributed to the Salesian Youths FC as the undisputed greatest team that ever emerged on this small island. Evidence comes also black on white by Koli Apap writing on the national newspaper Il-Berqa on Thursday 2 April 1959 under the heading “The First Defeat for the Salesian Youths in Five Years” wherein he stated:

“After five years when they always won and carried all the trophies of competitive football 1st division Gozo matches, the Salesian Youths last Sunday conceded the first defeat against Ghajnsielem FC (2 -1). Thus now they do not have any chance of winning the Esso Cup which is claiming a lot of interest among Gozo’s football lovers.”

This writing clearly shows that because the Salesians lost for the first time, the other competing teams seemed to take respite and gain confidence. However, so that the story be fully told and all honour and glory be bestowed on this mighty and formidable Salesian football squad, on that same month, precisely the 16th of April 1959, the Salesians went on to beat their nearest rivals Ghajnsielem with a 2-0 score and so retain the league championship.

If there comes a time, when the GFA decides to choose the Millennium Gozo Team, it would have no difficulty at all on presenting this honour to the Salesian Youths, who in a 16 year span gained an absolute record of winnings. This because it was the model team among the other Gozo teams for its discipline (even if all the players were never paid a penny), for the sporting spirit the displayed and for the exemplary way that the team conducted itself on the ground. All these ingredients together with prudent management and disciplined supporters gave great honour to all those who formed part of this successful group, and fills with courage and determination all those who are at present or will in future come.

Post Salesian Youths Era - Calypsian Bosco Youths - Oratory Youths

Since the Salesian Youths era, the club was inactive for a total of 11 years namely between 1962–1969 and 1972-1978. Just few honours have come Oratory's way since 1962 but the top prize achieved by this team during these disappointing years was the GFA Cup won during the season 1985-86. During these past 40 odd years the club has spent most of the time in Gozo's second division, won this league twice and ended runners up a couple of times. The club failed to win any major prize Gozitan football offers, except for the GFA Cup success in 1986, and most showings on the pitch have been quite disappointing to say the least. The club directors strive to put Oratory's name back with the elite of Gozitan football but lady luck doesn't seem to want to smile at the club. Oratory Youths have never threatened to get promoted recently nevermind win the second division league. In fact during their most recent season Oratory Youths finished at the bottom of the league behind the likes of Munxar Falcons who have only regrouped in 2007.

Present

However, the future does look bright for Oratory Youths. They have recently inaugurated a 7 a-side artificial turf pitch. The conditions at Oratory's training grounds have improved drastically and one could find professional facilities which can only help in the development of the current crop of senior players as well as the youths. The club has focused on its youth sections for quite a while now and the coaches are already reaping the fruits of their hard labour. In fact the Under 17's and Under 14's have been putting in excellent performances and have placed 5th and 1st respectively during the 2008-2009 season. Most players playing with the senior squad are products of the Oratory Youths nursery and the average age of the current squad is well below 25. Few clubs in Gozo can boast of having a nursery like that of Oratory Youths while only a handful of Gozitan Clubs, namely Nadur Youngsters, Xaghra United and Sannat Lions, can boast of having a large training ground. Oratory Youths therefore have enough resources to craft their way amongst the elite of Gozitan football. The Youths finished third in the 2nd division league after an enjoyable 2009-2010 season.

File:SYbadge.jpg

Senior Squad for Season 2010-11

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player GK George Vella (Oratory Youths Product) GK Tony Debrincat (SKVW Product) DF Martin Cremona (Oratory Youths Product) DF George Louis Zammit (Oratory Youths Product) DF Marvin Buttigieg (Victoria Hotspurs Product) DF Marvin Grech (Oratory Youths Product) DF Josmar Grech (Kercem Ajax Product) DF Charles Xuereb (Xaghra United Product) DF Chris Cardona (Xewkija Tigers Product) DF Kevin Grech (Victoria Hotspurs Product) MF Francesco Cini (Oratory Youths Product) MF Alex Sacco (Kercem Ajax Product) MF Orlando Atzori (Kercem Ajax Product) MF Oliver Saliba (Oratory Youths Product) MF Francesco Mumford (Oratory Youths Product) MF Joseph Mizzi (Victoria Hotspurs Product) MF Stephen Theuma (Oratory Youths Product) MF Ryan Mercieca (Oratory Youths Product) MF Keith Farrugia (Oratory Youths Product) FW Derek Bugeja (Oratory Youths Product) FW Gorgi Portelli (Oratory Youths Product) FW Paul Anthony Attard (Nadur Youngsters Product) FW Dione Lautier (Oratory Youths Product) FW Andrew Zammit (Oratory Youths Product) FW Joseph Grech (Kercem Ajax Product) FW Matthew Borg (Oratory Youths Product)

Manager - John Cassar(Former Qala St. Joseph Coach)

Committee for Season 2010-2011

President: Mr George Curmi

Vice President: Mr George Mizzi

Secretary: Mr David Galea

Vice Secretary : Mr Emanuel Cini

GFA Council Member : Mr Emanuel Cini

GYFA Delegate: Mr George Mizzi

Cashier : Mr George Farrugia

Kit Manager: Mr David Galea

External links

• GozoFootball.com
• Official Website