Corinthians
Żejtun Corinthians Football Club is a Maltese football club from the town of Żejtun, founded in 1943. The club currently plays in the Maltese Challenge League and calls Malta home. Throughout their history, the club has achieved notable success including multiple Third Division championships and a Second Division title in 2016/17, with their golden era occurring in the 1960s when they reached the Second Division and won the double in 1959/60.
History
Overview
General information about the club
Żejtun Corinthians Football Club is a football club based in the town of Żejtun, Malta. The club was established in 1943 after World War II when football in Malta was re-enacted under the responsibility of the Malta Football Association. The team's name was chosen from a football team participating in the English league, and the club's official colors are navy blue and sky blue stripes, originally inspired by Sliema Wanderers since many locals supported that club at the time.
Most recent season and achievements
During the 2020-21 season, the club achieved promotion to the Maltese Premier League after finishing top of the table when the league was suspended due to the COVID outbreak. Additionally, Żejtun Corinthians F.C. has expanded into futsal, returning to the Maltese Futsal League starting from 2025 under the name Żejtun Corinthians Futsal WA.
History
Early years
After World War II, the Żejtun population eagerly established a football team, and in 1943 the name of Żejtun Corinthians first emerged. The first committee members consisted of Joseph Cassar (Club President), Joseph Galea (Vice President), Fortunato Zerafa (General Secretary), and Grazio Cassar (Treasurer). In the first seasons, the team placed in the lower divisions of the league, with players being either Żejtun locals or sportsmen from the surrounding areas.
Successful period
The team reached its highest placing in the 1960s when a rank in the Second Division was meritoriously secured. This was the golden era of Żejtun Corinthians with notable players like Louis Bonello, Reginald Vella James, Anthony Spiteri, Joe Abela and goalkeeper John Formosa. During the 1959/60 season, the club won the double, placing first in the Maltese Third Division classification and the Knockout competition.
Crisis and recovery
During the 1970s the team continued to have success, winning the Maltese Third Division multiple times and reaching the Maltese Second Division. In 1980, the Malta Football Association reorganized the National Leagues and introduced the Maltese Premier League for the first time. In the early 1990s, during the 1991/92 season, Żejtun Corinthians won the Maltese Third Division championship with a stunning win in a derby decider over Marsaxlokk.
Current period
In the 2002/03 season, Żejtun Corinthians were declared Champions of the Maltese Third Division with a prestigious win over eternal rivals St. George's under the presidency of Ludwig Camilleri. The club's most recent major honor came in the 2016/2017 season when they won the Second Division Championship.
Achievements and Honors
Domestic competitions
Żejtun Corinthians has secured multiple championships in Maltese domestic competitions. The club won the Maltese Third Division on several occasions, including the memorable 1959/60 season when they achieved the double by winning both the Third Division championship and the Knockout competition. Other notable Third Division victories came in 1991/92 and 2002/03. Their most recent major achievement was winning the Second Division Championship in 2016/2017. The club also competed in the Maltese First Division during the 1981/82 season and three consecutive seasons from 1986/87 to 1988/89.
Symbols and Colors
Traditional home and away kits colors
The official colors of Żejtun Corinthians' kit are navy blue and sky blue stripes. This distinctive color scheme was first inspired by that of Sliema Wanderers, since at the time many locals from Żejtun supported Sliema Wanderers.
Traditional Rivals
St. George's
St. George's are considered eternal rivals of Żejtun Corinthians, with the clubs having faced each other in significant matches including the 2002/03 Third Division championship where Żejtun achieved a prestigious victory over their rivals.
Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk represents another important rivalry, particularly highlighted during the 1991/92 season when Żejtun Corinthians secured a stunning victory in a derby decider to win the Maltese Third Division championship.
Club Traditions and Behind the Scenes
Ownership and finances
Under the presidency of Ludwig Camilleri, the club achieved significant success, including the 2002/03 Maltese Third Division championship. The original founding committee included Joseph Cassar as Club President, Joseph Galea as Vice President, Fortunato Zerafa as General Secretary, and Grazio Cassar as Treasurer.
Traditions and culture
The club has maintained strong connections to the local community of Żejtun, with players historically being either locals from the town or sportsmen from the surrounding areas. The team's name was chosen to honor a football team from the English league, reflecting the international influence on Maltese football culture.