Dingli Swallows F.C.
Dingli Swallows Football Club is a Maltese football club from the small village of Ħad-Dingli, which currently plays in the Maltese Third Division. The club was founded in 1948.
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| Full name | Dingli Swallows Football Club | |
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| Nickname(s) | The Swallows | |
| Founded | 1948 | |
| Ground | Tartarni Ground | |
| Capacity | 500 | |
| Chairman | Joseph Cuschieri | |
| Head Coach | Marco Buttigieg | |
| League | Maltese Third Division | |
| 2018–19 | 6th[1] | |
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History
The club was founded soon after the end of World War II, thus being one of the first Maltese football clubs. The "Swallows" competed mostly in the lower divisions till the beginning of the 90s, when under the guidance of Dingli born coach John Mary aka Jimmy Farrugia, they were promoted to the Maltese second division after a memorable season. The following season they were promoted to the First Division after winning 5–3 a decider against Siggiewi to fill in the place vacated after that Luxol St. Andrew,s and B'Kara FC merged. They survived in the First Division for five seasons, until they were relegated back to Division Two. After a few years struggling in Division Two, they were promoted to the First Division again as Division Champions at the end of season 2006–07 under coach Jesmond Zammit. During the successive season they managed to win the First Division Cup for the first time in their history.
From there they never looked back and on May 19, 2009, Dingli Swallows were promoted to the Maltese Premier League as champions of the Maltese First Division for the first time in their history. The club beat Vittoriosa Stars 2–1 at the Corradino Stadium in the championship decider match. The major hero of this achievement was Coach Jesmond Zammit, a former player and Committee member of the same club. The club established itself as the major club hailing from the western part of the island, thus shadowing eternal rivals Rabat Ajax who have been trailing for some years hip-hoping between the second and third divisions.
Their first season in the Maltese premier League was a very difficult one and the Swallows under coach Jesmond Zammit managed only two victories – against Floriana 2–1 and against Msida SJ 5–2. They were relegated back to the First Division finishing at the 9th place just in front of Msida SJ. Back to Division 1, they closed their season on a very high note, beating First Division Champions Balzan Youths 3–2, after that they were trailing by 2 goals, to win the First Division Cup for the second time in their history. At the end of the season 2011/12 Dingli Swallows only just managed to retain their First Division status finishing just one position above the relegation zone. At the end of season 2012–2013, after 3 seasons competing in the First Division, the Swallows were relegated to the Second Division. This happened mainly due to the fact that the team was dismantled during the last Christmas transfer window. The funds gained from transfers of the players, were used mainly to fund the project of renovation of the club's facilities. When season 2013–2014 came to an end, the club managed to retain its position in the Maltese Second Division. This was possible thanks to a very good run in the second part of the season. A handful of players from the club's youth sector, together with other players with more experience, under the guidance of coaches Mr. Roland Sollars and Mr. Marco Buttigieg, helped the club to achieve its aim for the season 2013–2014. The current coaches took over from Mr. Jason Cachia, who was appointed Technical Director. Unluckily, at the end of season 2014–2015 the Swallows were relegated to the MFA Third Division, after more than two decades playing in higher divisions. During this season the team consisted mostly of youngsters from the nursery, whom together with some experienced players, did not manage to avoid the third-from-last table position, which meant relegation. During the following season (2015–16) quite a few youngsters were introduced to the first squad. Although, the Swallows did not get promoted, they ended at the upper part of the table. The aim of the season was reached, that of gaining more experience so that in the near future the Club can try to aim for higher divisions.
Currently club veteran Joseph Cuschieri is chairman of the club and Mr Carmelo Muscat is the club's Secretary. A position which he has held for decades.
Training ground
Tartarni Ground, the training ground of Dingli Swallows FC, was built by a group of Dingli enthusiasts with the help of a certain Brother Cuthman, the Malta Playing Fields Association and Baron Inguanez who donated the land. It was inaugurated by Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. In the 1980s it was refurbished and enlarged and several youth and reserve leagues matches were held there for the following years. During the last years an extensive refurbishment of this ground was taking place to transform it in a small-sized stadium which can host matches from the youth and the MFA lower divisions. With the help of the UEFA grassroots programme, the MFA and the Government of Malta through the Good Causes Fund, a brand new full-size, synthetic turf pitch was laid. New dressing rooms and a gym were constructed under the pitch. A new floodlighting system was erected. There will be also a small stand for spectators. It is planned that in the near future matches from the lower divisions of the Malta Football Association will be staged here. Currently the project is in a very advanced stage and the pitch is already being used by the club for the training sessions of the major team and also for the training sessions of the nursery teams. It is also being hired to other clubs, namely Birkirkara FC for their senior and youth teams training sessions. As things are planned, the whole project will be ready in the immediate future. During the month of May 2014, Turkey, one of the teams participating in the UEFA Under 17 Championships, used Tartarni Ground as their training base.
Dingli Swallows youth nursery
The Dingli Swallows FC Youth Nursery was officially founded in July 1996 with the first president being the current Malta Youth Football Association general secretary Mr Joseph Micallef. Mr Micallef together with Mr Joseph Cuschieri and others worked hard to structure the nursery. Since then the nursery worked hard not only to instruct children and prepare them to be able to play the sports of football, but also to furnish them with skills necessary for everyday's life. The nursery consists of various age-groups namely: the Under 17s, 15s, 13s, 11s, 9s and Under 7s sections. The Under 17 and Under 15 teams participate in the Malta Youth Football Associations Leagues. The other age-groups participate in several festivals organized by the Dingli Swallows YN itself, the Youth FA and other football nurseries. Head coach of the nursery is Mr Kevin Asciak, a former Dingli Swallows player who holds an A Licence in coaching. Mr Asciak used to play for Dingli Swallows during their first promotion from the third division in the early 1990s.
The nursery is very proud that apart from some promotions, it won also for quite a few times the Fair-Play Trophy for various categories. It is to be said also that some players made it to the Dingli Swallows first team especially when the team was competing in the Second and First Divisions. Amongst others one can mention Edwin Casha (who was the first team's captain for some seasons), Mark Abela, Mark Bugeja, Conrad Zammit, Jonathan Sapiano, Edison Scicluna, Mauro Vassallo, Roderick Sapiano and Julian Camilleri. Apart from these are others who currently are making their way into the first squad (vide current squad hereunder).
Current squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Club officials and coaching staff
Club officials
- President: Joseph Cuschieri
- Honorary President: Dr. Saviour Agius
- Secretary: Carmelo Muscat
- Treasurer: Rigovert Casha
- Executive Committee Members: Shawn Tanti
Coaching staff
- Head Coach: Roger Mifsud
- Team Manager: Marco Buttigieg
Achievements
Maltese First Division Champions – 2008/09 (after beating Vittoriosa Stars 2–1 -goals by Ryan Mintoff and Uchanna Anywanna at the Corradino Stadium on 20 May 2009).
Maltese First Division Knockout Winners – 2007/08 & 2010/11
Maltese Second Division Champions – 2006/07
Maltese Second Division Runner Up – 1993/4 (Promoted after winning 5–3 after extra time, a decider against Siggiewi)
Maltese Third Division Champions 1992/3 (After beating Kirkop United 6–1 in the Championship decider)
Maltese Second & Third Division Knockout Winners – 2001/02 & 2005/06