Maltese First Division

Maltese First Division
Country  Malta
Founded 1910
Number of teams 14
Level on pyramid 2
Promotion to Maltese Premier League
Relegation to Maltese Second Division
Domestic cup(s) U*Bet FA Trophy
Maltese First Division knock-out
Current champions Gzira United F.C.
(2015–16)
2016–17

The Maltese First Division (also known as the Bank of Valletta First Division due to sponsorship reasons) is the second-highest division in Maltese football, behind the Maltese Premier League and above the Maltese Second Division. The league has been running for many years.

14 teams take part in the league. The top two teams are promoted to the Maltese Premier League, whilst the three lowest-finishing teams are relegated to the Maltese Second Division. The third place team plays the tenth place team in the Maltese Premier League in a play-off game for promotion.[1] Due to the expansion of the Maltese Premier League starting from the season 2017/18, 3 teams will be promoted while the 4th placed team will face the play-off game. On the other hand, only 2 teams will get relegated to the Maltese Second Division.

On January 13, 2011, the Malta Football Association decided to expand the league to 12 teams as from season 2011–12,[2] and has since expanded to 14 teams. The top two placed teams will get promoted to the Maltese Premier League while the 3rd best team will face the play-off. As from the 2017/18 Maltese First Division, only 2 teams will be relegated automatically, while the team finishing 12th will face a play-out against the 3rd placed team from the Second Division.

Participating teams in 2016–17

Club 2016–17 Maltese First Division
Sirens F.C.Promoted from Maltese Second Division, 2nd
Melita F.C.-
Fgura United F.C.-
Marsa F.C.Promoted from Maltese Second Division, 1st
Gharghur F.C.Promoted from Maltese Second Division, 3rd
Vittoriosa Stars FC-
Lija Athletic F.C.-
Mqabba F.C.-
Rabat Ajax FC-
Naxxar LionsRelegated from Maltese Premier League, 11th
Qormi F.C.Relegated from Maltese Premier League, 12th
Senglea Athletic F.C.Played play off for Maltese Premier League lost against St. Andrews F.C.
Pietà Hotspurs F.C.-
Żebbuġ Rangers F.C.-

History

Year 1st Position 2nd Position Relegated
1998–99 Zurrieq
1999–00 Hamrun
2000–01 Marsa Lija Athletic Tarxien, Zurrieq
2001–02 Marsaxlokk Mosta Qormi, Luxol
2002–03 Msida Balzan Gozo, Xghajra
2003–04 St.Patrick Lija Athletic Tarxien, Rabat Ajax
2004–05 Hamrun Mosta Balzan, Gozo
2005–06 St.George's Marsa Lija Athletic, Luxol
2006–07 Hamrun Mqabba San Gwann, Naxxar
2007–08 Tarxien Qormi Mellieha, Marsa
2008–09 Dingli Swallows Vittoriosa Stars Rabat Ajax, Senglea
2009–10 Marsaxlokk Vittoriosa Stars St.Patrick, San Gwann
2010–11 Balzan Youths Mqabba Pietà Hotspurs, Msida Saint-Joseph
2011–12 Melita Rabat Ajax St. Patrick F.C, St. George's F.C
2012–13 Naxxar Lions Vittoriosa Stars Dingli Swallows, Mqabba
2013–14 Pietà Hotspurs FC Zebbug Rangers F.C. Hamrun Spartans F.C., Zejtun Corinthians F.C.
2014–15 Pembroke Athleta F.C. St. Andrews F.C. Żurrieq F.C., Msida Saint-Joseph F.C., Birzebbuga St. Peters F.C.
2015–16 Gzira United F.C. Ħamrun Spartans Gudja United F.C., St. George's F.C., San Gwann F.C.

2016–17 Maltese First Division League teams

References

  1. ↑ Busuttil, Antoine. BOV First, Second and Third Division 2015/16 Draws, maltafootball.com, 11 July 2015. Retrieved on 10 August 2015.
  2. ↑ Changes to National League, FA Trophy format approved
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