Gozo F.C.

Football club infobox

| fullname = Gozo Football Club
clubname = Gozo F.C.
nickname = Tat-Tlett Gholjiet
founded = 1987
ground = Gozo Stadium
capacity = 4,000
chairman = Flagicon|Gozo Alvin Grech
manager = Flagicon|Gozo Joe Grech
league = Maltese Second Division
season = 2007-2008
position = Maltese Third Division,Champions
pattern_la1=|pattern_b1=|pattern_ra1=
leftarm1=ffffff|body1=ffffff|rightarm1=ffffff|shorts1=ffffff|socks1=ffffff
pattern_la2=|pattern_b2=|pattern_ra2=
leftarm2=0000FF|body2=0000FF|rightarm2=0000FF|shorts2=0000FF|socks2=0000FF

Gozo Football Club is a Maltese football club based on the island of Gozo. Gozo FC was founded in 1987.

Gozo FC is ran by the Gozo Football Association. The Gozo FC represents the island of Gozo in the Maltese Leagues. Its squad is formed of Gozitan players who play their trade in the Gozitan Leagues mainly in the First Division. Their home matches are played at the Gozo Stadium.

Gozo FC Throught the years

After their foundation Gozo FC spent most of their years in the Second Division and in the Third Division. In the season 1997/1998 finally Gozo FC won the Section B of the Second Division, that is the third tier of the Maltese League system. Subsequently in the following season that is 1998/1999 they participated in the First Division and surprisingly they topped the table with Zurrieq F.C. with 35 points, however having a better goal difference they won the title of the first division. This was somewhat a big feat for a small club like Gozo FC who in 2 seasons they found themselves in the Maltese Premier League from the Maltese Second Division on the back of two successive promotions.

The Historical Year

The 1999-2000 season is considered to be the highlight of the short history of the Gozo FC. They did not only competed with the elite for the first time in their history but for the first time, and to date the only time, they made it to the quarter-finals of the Maltese Cup by beating Lija Athletic 4-2 in Gozo in the second round. They were drawn against Maltese powerhouse Sliema Wanderers, and even if their tie was played at home they could match up their more illustrious opponents and they suffered a 6-1 defeat.Their performance in the Maltese Premier League was a good one overall even if only lasted one season. The first round was a very positive one for Gozo. Before the division was split into two division Gozo FC occupied the eight position with 14 points from 18 outings. Given they were considered the hot favourites for the relegation, their performance 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 eventful 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 presitigious results achieved include the 1-1 draw against Hibernians, followed by wins against Zurrieq and draws against Rabat Ajax and Pieta Hotspurts 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 to be as not 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 in all 22 goals and allowed only 39 goals, the fourth best defence in the whole premier league.

Decline

The relegation to the first division proved to be the start of the decline of the Gozitans. In the season 2000/2001 they ended in the seventh position. The following season saw little improvement and again finished in the seventh position. In the season 2002/2003 Gozo FC got relegated to the Second Division when they finished in the 9 th place with 17 points. However they returned back to the First division on the first time of asking after beating Gzira United in the promotion playoff. Their adventure in the First division lasted only when season and they were relegated again to the Second Division. Gozo FC finished bottom with a single win and 4 draws from 18 outings. In the 2005/2006 Gozo FC showed some good performances and they ended their campaign in a comfortable sixth position. The following season Gozo FC were relegated to the lowest tier of the Maltese League, the Maltese Third Division when they finished bottom with 11 points. For the 2007/2008 Gozo FC were drawn in the Section B. This time, Gozo FC were in class of their own and proved too strong for their opponents and topped the Third Division Secion B. From 16 outings they recorded 15 wins and 1 draw, coming against Kalkara totaling to 46 points from a possible 48. They scored 40 goals and let in only 14 goals. This entitled them for a promotion play-off against Zebbug Rangers which won their respective division that is Section A. While Gozo FC were winning 3-1 and were dominating the match, in the 57th minute the match was abandoned. This happened because the assistant referee was hit by an object in his head and the referee had no other option but to abandon the match. Of course the Gozitans were disappointed to see this happen because they were waiting for the moment to lift the cup from September but now they had to wait for the decision to be took by the MFA about the final result of the match. Given that Gozo FC had nothing to do with those actions they were handed the cup and as well promoted to the Second Division. Former Valletta striker Chris Camilleri finished runner-up in the scoring charts.

Achievements

*Maltese First Division: 1:: 1998/1999

*Maltese Second Division: 1:: 1997/1998

*Maltese Third Division: 1 :: 2007/2008

Squad

External Links

* [http://www.gozofootball.net/gozofc/index.html/ Gozo FC]
* [http://www.maltafootball.com/second.shtml/ Second Division]