Mdina Knights
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| Full name | Mdina Knights Football Club |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Knights |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Ground |
Centenary Stadium, Ta' Qali, Malta |
| Capacity | 5,000 |
| Coach |
 Renzo Kerr Cumbo |
| League | Maltese Third Division |
| Website | Club website |
Mdina Knights F.C. is an association football club representing Malta's former capital city, Mdina, currently playing in the Maltese Third Division.
The club's four founding members were Gilbert Camilleri, Matthew Paris, Keith Galea and Sean Buhagiar. Mdina Knights FC (MKFC) was officially recognized by the Malta Football Association (MFA) by a decree dated 25 May 2006, and has participated in the Maltese Third Division ever since. After missing out on a play off place in season 2007–08, only the second season after the formation of the club, the Knights lost in two successive play-off semi-finals in seasons 2008–09 and 2009–10, both of which to the eventual play-off winners. The Knights also missed out on automatic promotion in seasons 2010–11 and 2011–12.
2006–07 was the first season played by Mdina Knights FC. As is the case every season, the first competition of the season was the annual pre-season Second and Third Division Knock-Out. The Knights were drawn in Group 2 together with Second Division clubs Birzebbuga SP and Zebbug Rangers, and Third Division club Siggiewi FC.
Mdina Knights FC's first official match was played on 3 September 2006, in which the Knights drew 1–1 against Zebbug Rangers, with Mauro Vassallo scoring their first ever goal via a lob over the on-rushing keeper from the edge of the penalty area. This was followed by a 2–1 loss against the other Second Division team in the group, Birzebbuga SP, with forward Matthew Francalanza scoring the goal for the Knights. Mdina Knights kept their first official clean sheet when they secured a 0–0 draw against Siggiewi FC. This led to the Knights finishing in 3rd position in their group.
The current structure of the Maltese Third Division sees the league divided into two sections – A and B – with teams competing solely with teams of their section, until the play-off or title come about at the end of the season. However, season 2006–07 was the last season in which the Maltese Third Division was played as one league, with all 19 teams lining up against each other, albeit just once during the season.
Mdina Knights FC's first ever league match saw them face Attard FC on 25 September 2006. The Knights emerged with a 2–0 win, their first ever official victory. This was followed up by a 0–0 draw against eventual 3rd placed Zurrieq FC, a 1–0 loss against eventual 2nd placed Sirens FC, and a 6–0 win against Ta Xbiex FC. The Knights then picked up one point from the next three league matches. The Knights then defeated Kircop United 4–1 in January 2007. Following another bad spell, seeing the Knights go two months without a win, the Knights went on a four match unbeaten run, beating Gzira United 3–1 and Siggiewi 1–0 along the way. The Knights ended their campaign with two losses, however finished their first season since their inception in a mid-table position.
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