Floriana Football Club
A Rich Legacy in Maltese Football
Founded on February 25, 1894, Floriana Football Club stands as one of the oldest and most successful football teams in Malta. The club was established by Paul Caruso, an influential figure of Italian descent, who helped lay the foundation for what would become a storied football institution.
Early Beginnings and
First Matches
Floriana FC quickly made its mark on the Maltese football scene, playing its inaugural match against St. George’s, another pioneer of Maltese football, on November 18, 1894, at Foss il-Blue near Portes Des Bombes. In their early days, Floriana players wore distinctive red and green quadrant shirts paired with black shorts.
The Iconic Green and White Stripes
A pivotal moment in the club’s history occurred during the 1904/05 season. Floriana played a series of matches against the Irish Fusiliers, who were stationed in Floriana at the time. After a 2-1 victory in the final match, the Irish soldiers presented their green and white striped shirts to the Floriana players as a gesture of respect and camaraderie. This act marked the beginning of Floriana’s now-famous green and white stripes, a tradition that has endured for over a century.
Dominance in Maltese Football
Floriana FC’s success in Maltese football began with the first-ever Maltese League Championship in the 1909/10 season, which they won without conceding a single goal. The following year, the club triumphed in the first Cup-Tie competition, defeating Valletta United 2-0 in the final. These victories solidified Floriana’s reputation as a dominant force in Maltese football.
The Golden Era:
The Ajax Generation
The club’s golden era was ushered in on June 12, 1944, with the formation of a legendary team known as "The Ajax." Under the guidance of coach Frankie Tabone, this group of young talents led Floriana FC to unprecedented success. During this period, Floriana won numerous titles and set a national record by securing four consecutive league championships between 1949/50 and 1952/53.
European Ventures and Historic Wins
Floriana FC has also made its mark on the European stage. In 1962, the club became the first Maltese team to compete in a UEFA competition, participating in the Cup Winners’ Cup against Hungarian giants Újpest Dózsa. Over the years, Floriana faced some of Europe’s top clubs, including Inter Milan, Panathinaikos and Borussia Dortmund. A historic moment came in 1993 when Floriana became the first Maltese club to win a European match, defeating Ferencváros 1-0 in the Cup Winners’ Cup.
Floriana FC continued to achieve success in European competitions, including advancing to the second round of the Champions Cup playing FC Porto in 1993/94 after defeating Ekranas in the first round. The club also had notable performances in the UEFA Intertoto Cup and the UEFA Europa League, demonstrating its resilience and competitive spirit on the international stage.
A Legacy
Of Success
To date, Floriana Football Club has won 26 Civilian League Championships, 28 Cup-Tie Competitions, and 59 other official cup titles, bringing their total to an impressive 113 major honors. Among these achievements, the club has secured 10 doubles and 4 triple crowns, further cementing its place in Maltese football history.
