Tony Formosa (2 June 1937 – 13 January 2024) was a Maltese football manager who managed the national team and a host of Maltese top-level teams.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 2 June 1937 | ||
| Place of birth | Rabat, Gozo, Malta | ||
| Date of death | 13 January 2024 (aged 86) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Valletta | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1960–1961 | St. Patrick FC | 4 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1961 | Żejtun Corinthians | ||
| Ħamrun Spartans | |||
| 1966 | Malta | ||
| 1967–1973 | Malta U18 | ||
| 1968–1970 | Valletta | ||
| 1971–1972 | Malta | ||
| 1973–1975 | Valletta | ||
| 1975–1981 | Floriana | ||
| 1982–1986 | Sliema Wanderers | ||
| 1986–1988 | Valletta (joint) | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Career
editFormosa's playing career started in the 1960/61 season but it was cut short by injury in February 1961, after fracturing his arm in a game against Marsa. He totalled only four top tier games for St. Patrick F.C.
Formosa had several managerial positions with Maltese giants Ħamrun Spartans, Valletta, and Sliema Wanderers as well as with the national team and the Malta U18 team.[1] Formosa was manager of the national team that played its first ever World Cup qualifier against Hungary in 1971[2] and achieved a record of 40 matches without defeat with Floriana.[3]
After coaching in 197 Maltese top flight matches, Formosa retired from managing and was appointed Head of Sports within the Ministry of Education and Culture.[4] In this position, he convinced the government to build new sports facilities and managed to lure the Formula One Offshore Powerboats World Championships to Malta for three successive years.[5]
Death
editFormosa died on 13 January 2024, at the age of 86.[1]
Honours
editValletta
- Maltese Premier League: 1974
- Maltese FA Trophy: 1975
- Cassar Cup: 1969
- Independence Cup: 1975
Floriana
- Maltese Premier League: 1977
- Maltese FA Trophy: 1976, 1981
- Independence Cup: 1976, 1977, 1978
References
edit- ^ a b Camilleri, Valhmor (13 January 2024). "FOOTBALL Former Malta national team coach Tony Formosa dies, aged 86". Times of Malta. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Former Valletta FC coach Tony Formosa passes away". Valletta FC. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "Former Malta National Team coach Tony Formosa passes away aged 86". Independent. 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ "DEMISE OF TONY FORMOSA, EX-MALTA NATIONAL TEAM COACH". Malta Football Association. 13 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
- ^ Baldacchino, Carmel (5 July 2007). "Ex-national coach who also excelled at club level". Times of Malta. Retrieved 14 January 2024.