CLUB HISTORY

In 1902, two teams were founded in the town of Sliema – Sliema Rovers and Sliema Amateurs. A year later, another two teams were formed Sliema Union and Sliema Eagles. Henry J. Miller and Mr Portelli called a meeting for players with the aim of forming another team, Sliema FC. The club’s colours consisted of yellow shirts and black shorts.

Sliema Wanderers were officially founded in 1909 although the first game by the Wanderers was played on the 3rd October 1908 against St George’s in the Boys Junior football league for Under 21 teams. Sliema had a number of English players and supporters since Sliema was one of the main harbours for the English fleet in the Mediterranean.

It seems that most of these Englishmen supported Bolton Wanderers or Wolverhampton Wanderers and from there, Sliema got the name Sliema Wanderers.

What led to the change of colours was a friendly match against rivals Floriana. Sliema had yellow and green shirts, Floriana red and green.

Sliema decided to change their colours and opted for blue which is the colour of the sea which surrounds Sliema and light blue which represents the colour of Our Lady of the Sea which was the first parish in Sliema.

Ten years down the line Sliema Wanderers finally made their mark in Maltese football by winning the Maltese Premier League title in the 1919–20season. Since then the team have gone on to win the title 26 times, a record for Malta; the last three being in 2002–03, 2003–04 and 2004–05.

Sliema Wanderers also hold the record for the most FA Trophy wins, with their first coming in 1935, when they overpowered Floriana with a 4–0 victory. The club have gone on to win this particular honour 21 times.

With all these honours, Sliema Wanderers are currently the most successful team in the history of Maltese football with approximately 113 honours. Sliema Wanderers train at the Tigne’ Sports Complex, in Sliema.