Lija Athletic Football Club, commonly referred to as Lija Athletic, is a football team originating from the village of Lija, Malta. The present club was founded in 1949 and has competed in the Maltese Premier League five times. During the 2025–26 BOV Amateur League 1 campaign, Lija Athletic narrowly missed out on promotion back to the BOV Challenge League following a disappointing start to the season. However, the team regained momentum on Matchday 6 with a victory over eventual champions Attard. This result sparked an impressive run of form, as Lija went on to record a 12-match unbeaten streak—the longest in the league. Despite this resurgence, it ultimately proved insufficient to secure a return to the second tier of Maltese football.
History Although the first team in Lija is believed to have been formed in the 1930s, the first team to take part in the competitions organised by the Malta Football Association were Lija Amateurs. Lija Amateurs were founded in 1944 and in season 1944–45, they took part in the Second Division. The team was disbanded after three years.
In 1948–49, the present club, Lija Athletic were founded. The club joined the MFA and played in Division Three. The team was gaining momentum, until during a Third Division league match against Qormi Youngsters in March 1957, the referee abandoned the game due to fighting between the players. The MFA suspended the club from all football activities. However this decision was reviewed and the team was back in 1958.
The club tasted its first success when winning the Third Division Championship in 1962–63. The team was relegated in 1968–69 and it took Lija Athletic nine years to regain promotion to the Second Division, once again winning the Third Division title. The introduction of the Premier Division by the MFA in 1980 meant that all clubs were promoted by one division. Lija Athletic found themselves in the First Division. After a rather good performance during the first season in Division One, Lija were relegated in 1981–82.
The club won promotion to the First Division in 1987–88, but after one year they were back to Division Two. In 1990–91, Lija Athletic were relegated to the Third Division. After three years in Division Three, the Athletic won three consecutive promotions way up to the Premier League after winning the championships of Divisions Three and Two and placing second in Division One. In the Premier League for the first time ever, during the 1996–97 season, Lija Athletic had a very hard time with the big guns of local football, and were relegated after placing last.
Lija Athletic regained Premiership status after placing second in the 2001–02 season, and after a quick return to Division One, they managed to regain promotion thanks to the runner-up position obtained in the 2003–04 season. Once again the Premier Division challenge was too much, and with 3 wins, 2 draws and 19 lost games, Lija finished in last place. In 2005–06 Lija Athletic continued the habit of leaving their division after one year, but this time the destination was the Second Division, after finishing 9th with 18 points in 18 games. In 2006–07 the team obtained a mid-table position, finishing in 7th place. In spite of a poorer record, the team climbed to 6th place the following season. In 2008–09 Lija Athletic were able to challenge for promotion, although they had to settle for third place behind Melita FC and local rivals Balzan Youths, thereby just missing out.
The 2009–10 season saw Lija Athletic strengthening the squad with several experienced players and some talented youngsters. From the early stages, it was obvious the team would again be challengers for promotion, and with 48 points Lija Athletic won the Second Division championship and secured promotion to the First Division.
In the 2013–14 season, Lija Athletic reached a new milestone when qualifying for the FA Trophy semi-finals for the first time in the club's history, following exceptional wins including one against Premier giants, Floriana F.C. Lija Athletic were eliminated from the competition with a 0–1 loss to Qormi F.C. in the FA Trophy semi-final.
Following seven (7) seasons in the First Division, Lija Athletic regained promotion to the top flight, the Premier League, for the fourth time in the club's history, this time winning the First Division League with a total of 54 points. This is the first time in the club's history that Lija Athletic won the First Division Championship, with a relatively young squad.
In 2019–20, Lija achieved promotion to the top tier of Maltese football for the fifth time in their history. However, as with previous seasons, their stay in the top tier was short-lived, and they were relegated after just one season. Despite the setback, this season stood out as the best performance in the club's history, securing 5 wins and a total of 20 points. Noteworthy victories over Floriana and a draw with eventual champions Ħamrun highlighted that particular campaign.
The year 2024 held special significance for Lija Athletic, marking its 75th anniversary since the club was established in 1949. The year kicked off on a positive note with a victory over Żejtun. Prolific striker Erjon Beu added to the celebration by scoring his 150th goal for the club. However, the remainder of the year was not one of triumph. Despite the celebrations, the club faced a challenging season, enduring a series of tough defeats that dampened the festive spirit. On the final matchday of the 2024/25 campaign, Lija suffered relegation to the National Amateur League 1, missing out on survival by just a single point. Yet, the anniversary remained a reminder of the club's rich history and the resilience of its people, determined to see their team rise again.
Kits Period Kit supplier Shirt sponsor (front)2009-19 Adidas (EuroSport) Falzon Group of Companies Ltd.2019-20 Macron (TeamSport) Falzon Group of Companies Ltd., Take A Break Travel, the Teambar2020-21 Falzon Group of Companies Ltd., GCS Malta2021-22 Falzon Group of Companies Ltd., GCS Malta, Gracy's Malta2022-26 Falzon Group of Companies Ltd.
Players
Current squad (2026–2027)
Out on loan
Retired numbers No. Player Nationality Position Debut Last match 6 Midfielder vs Naxxar vs Fgura
Staff & Administration Technical team (2026–2027)
Position NameHead Coach Joseph GaleaAssistant Coach Ryan ZammitGoalkeepers Coach Rodrick SciberrasTeam Managers Daniel Scerri Clayton GiordimainaU/19 Coach Ivan FalzonTeam Doctor Dr. David TantiPhysiotherapist TBA Kit Manager Benjamin DingliAdministration (2026–2027)
Position NamePresident Colin CiantarSen. Vice President Emanuel BezzinaVice President Robert MagroHon. Secretary Samuel CutajarAsst. Secretary Nicholas SalibaTreasurer Malcolm SeychellAdministrator Samuel CutajarClub Delegates Samuel Cutajar Robert MagroLegal Advisor Dr. Peter Fenech Dr. Andrei VellaSocial Media/PRO Nicholas Saliba Samuel CutajarSpiritual Director Rev. Can. Fr. Joseph CiliaCommittee Members Steve Spiteri Fiteni Clayton Giordimaina Larken Micallef Louis Fenech Sunny Scerri Benjamin Dingli
Managerial History (2000 - present)
DatesName2002 - 2004 Patrick Curmi2004 - 2005 Ilir Pelinku2005 - 2007 Jimmy Briffa2007 - 2008 Anthony Grech2008 - 2009 Ilir Pelinku2009 - 2011 Marco Gerada2011 - 2014 Brian Spiteri2014 - 2015 Joseph Brincat2015 - 2016 Brian Spiteri2016 – 2025 Joseph GaleaDatesName2025 - 2026 Ivan Zammit2026 - Joseph Galea
Records
Club Top Appearances
Player Apps Daniel Scerri 408 Luke Bonnici 397 John Cuschieri 305 Erjon Beu 284 Beppe Antignolo 245 Clayton Giordimaina 244 Leon Muscat 223 Joe Cardona 217 Raymond Borg 207 Glenn Barry 195
Club Top Scorers
Player Goals Apps Erjon Beu 168 284 Glenn Barry 65 195 Ridha Dardouri 50 73 Ige Abdullahi Adeshina 50 147 Beppe Antignolo 49 245
Honours
League
First Division Winners (1): 2016–17 Second Division Winners (1): 2009–10 Third Division (3rd Level) Winners (2): 1962–63, 1977–78 Third Division (4th Level) Winners (1): 1993–94 Women's League Winners (1): 1996-97 Women's Futsal League Winners (2): 2023-24, 2024-25
Cup
Second/Third Division Knock Out Cup Winners (1): 1994–95 Third Division Sons of Malta Cup Winners (1): 1978–79
Individual Awards
Best 1st Division Player Erjon Beu (2): 2012-13, 2019-20 Simon Agius (1): 2000-01 Ridha Dardouri (1): 1995-96 Best 2nd Division Player John Cuschieri (1): 1978-79 Premier League Player of the Month Simon Agius (1): November 2001 Women's Player of the Month (Raiders Lija) Monique Sultana (1): December 2021 Anna Aloisio (1): May 2022 Women’s Youth League Player of the Month (Raiders Lija) Lexine Farrugia (1): September/October 2022 Sarah Vella Barberi (1): November 2022
Youth Academy
The Lija Iklin Youth Academy alongside the Iklin Local Council and the 'Skema Żgħażagħ Iklin', was founded back in 2002 by then president Mr Charles J.Scerri.
During the years the academy has been recognized as one of central Malta's leading football academy's with over 250 players registered. The academy includes teams in each age category, catering for boys and girls.
Committee (2026-27) Position NameChairman Dr. Dorian SciberrasSecretary Antoine VellaTreasurer Allen DebonoMembers Mario Fenech Lara Camilleri
Season 2026–27 Category Section Pos P W D L PTS Under 15 B 10th 3 0 0 3 0 Under 17 C 5th 2 1 0 1 3
Women's Teams
Lija Athletic Women's Team proudly participated in the very first women's football league organized in Malta during the 1995/96 season, making their mark by winning the league the following year in 1996/97. Over the years, the team took part in several seasons, but it was from the 2021/22 season onwards that Lija Women's returned as a consistent presence in the local football scene. Since then, steady improvement has been evident across all levels. Today, Lija Athletic actively competes in all women's football categories in Malta, including the Under-16, Youth, and Senior leagues.
As from the 2026/27 season, only the Under 16's team will be competing, under the new name Lija Żabbar.
Season 2026–27 Category Section Pos P W D L PTS Under 16 N/A 7th 2 0 0 2 0
Veterans
During the end of the 2025/26 season, it was announced that Lija will be participating in the 2026-27 Malta Veterans League as Lija Veterans.
Season 2026–27 League Pos P W D L PTS Veteran's League 1st 0 0 0 0 0
Futsal
Lija Athletic Futsal origins back to 2007 when Naxxar Motors Futsal Club entered the Maltese futsal league system. After finishing runners-up of the Second Division in their debut season, the club earned promotion to the First Division.
In 2012, Naxxar Motors amalgamated with Lija Athletic and became Lija Athletic Futsal Club, with Brian Spiteri appointed as Coach. The final season during that period was in 2015/16 in which Lija finished fourth and reached the league play-off semi-finals.
In June 2026, it was announced that a former Futsal team will now compete as Lija Athletic Futsal for the 2026-27 Enemed Futsal Challenge League.
Season 2026–27 League Pos P W D L PTS Futsal Challenge League 1st 0 0 0 0 0
Competitions history
2000–present