Full name | Gozo Football Club |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Tat-Tlett Gholjiet |
Founded | 1987 |
Dissolved | 2011 |
Ground | Gozo Stadium |
Capacity | 4,000 |
Gozo Football Club was a Maltese football club based on the island of Gozo. Gozo FC was founded in 1987. The club was disbanded following the end of the 2010-2011 season.
Gozo FC is run by the Gozo Football Association. It represented the island of Gozo in the Maltese Leagues. Its squad was formed of Gozitan players who play their trade in the Gozitan Leagues, mainly in the First Division. Their home matches were held at the Gozo Stadium.
Gozo FC spent most of its first years in the Maltese Second Division and Third Division. Gozo FC won Section B of the Second Division, the third tier of the Maltese League system, for the 1997-98 season. The following season (1998–99), they participated in the First Division and unexpectedly topped the table level with Zurrieq F.C. on 35 points. However, having a better goal difference, Zurrieq won the title. Gozo FC drew praise nonetheless, having gone from the Maltese Second Division to the Maltese Premier League in just two years.
The 1999-2000 season is considered the high water mark in the short history of Gozo FC. Not only did they compete with the elite for the first time in their history, but they made it to the quarter-finals of the Maltese Cup for the first and only time by beating Lija Athletic 4-2 in Gozo in the second round. They drew against Maltese powerhouse Sliema Wanderers, and even though their tie was played at home, they could not match up to their more illustrious opponents and suffered a 6-1 defeat. Their performance in the Maltese Premier League was a good one overall, despite it lasting only one season. The first round was a very positive one for Gozo. When the division was split into two, Gozo FC occupied eighth position with 14 points from 18 outings. Given they were considered the hot favourites for relegation, their performances were above expectations and they never suffered a humiliating defeat. The biggest defeat was a 5-1 defeat suffered in the hands of Floriana. While from 9 away fixtures they only collected five points, a win against Pieta Hotspurs and two draws with Naxxar Lions and Zurrieq respectively, at home they proved to be a difficult bone to crack down. A 1-0 historic victory over leaders and eventual champions Birkirkara was the highlight of the campaign. For sure to date this is the most prestigious victory in the whole history of Gozo FC. Other prestigious results achieved include the 1-1 draw against Hibernians, followed by wins against Zurrieq and draws against Rabat Ajax and Pieta Hotspurs respectively. Also other significant results are marginal defeats suffered against more illustrious opponents such as against then current champions Valletta (2-0 at home and 1-0 at Ta' Qali) and Sliema Wanderers (2-1 at home). The second round proved not to be as positive as the first round. A single win and 3 draws from 6 outings weren't enough and in the end Gozo FC were relegated to the Maltese First Division after a solitary season in the Maltese Premier League. In the whole season Gozo FC scored a total of 22 goals and conceded only 39, the fourth best defence in the premier division.