Our Club was
founded in 1936, however, our story starts well before that. In 1833, Fort
Chambray was converted into a Rest Camp for British Army units. That year
the Connought Regiment were the first of a long line which marched through
Chambray’s gates bringing with them a new vitality to Ghajnsielem life
and, what is more important to our subject, their customs and pastimes as
well. Other regiments
included the Essex Regiment, the Durham Regiment, the Cornwall Light
Infantry, the 1st Dorset Regiment, the ‘H’ Coy Pompadours and
many others.
Chambray’s
population increased rapidly during the First World War (1914-1918). Many
soldiers wounded at the front found themselves convalescing here. One can
imagine that time stood still for those waiting to be medically cleared,
until some football-mad soldier procured a ball and all of a sudden the
ditches around Chambray echoed to the lusty shouts of “goal!” and the
angry roars of protests.
For the
Ghajnsielem population, Chambray offered a diversion from the boredom of
everyday life, such as it was during the first part of the century. They
liked the fresh faces, and befriending the wounded heroes from the Great
War. Another attraction was now added. Every evening the Ghajnsielem
youths began abandoning their bars (whose names still re-evoke the
Colonial era: the “Glory of England”, “The English Rose”, the “Duke of
Edinburgh”, the “Blue Anchor”, the “City of London”, etc.) and tracked
from Ta’ Passi to the ditch at Chambray to watch the strange Englishmen
chasing each other after a leather ball.
It wasn’t
long before the locals themselves understood the game, began taking sides
and perhaps started kicking something in imitation of their foreign
heroes.
The war was over in 1918 and by the 20’s Chambray’s gates were closed
behind the last British soldier and the fort relapsed into its silent,
peaceful existence. However, the Englishmen didn’t take everything with
them; they left behind some footballs and big heavy boots, and soon
Gozitan shouts and exclamations began echoing against the ramparts of
Chambray’s ditch.
Continued
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