When the Blacks were relegated from the Premier division in 1997/98, the Club hired Patrick Vassallo to take over the senior team. Mr. Vassallo was a young up and coming coach emerging from the coaching program set up by the M.F.A. Patrick had the advantage of stepping in away from the pressure-cooker of top-flight football. The team thrived under his leadership and not only dominated the first division but also made it all the way to three cup finals in the 1998/99 season. The team managed to triumph in the season-ending Super Cup Final. Thus Patrick was responsible for bringing Super Cup success for the first time in Club history and for bringing silver ware to the Club at first team level for the first time since 1987/88. Under Mr. Vassallo, the Club appeared in two cup finals in 1999/00 and finished the season as league runners-up, for the first time since 1976/77. If it were not for the points lost in the opening matches of the season during which the coach was experimenting with the side, the bounty could have been even bigger.

The following season, the team made a better start, however, it became apparent that Mr. Vassallo’s position as team coach was under some pressure. In crucial matches, the players were not responding properly to his instructions. After a shocking 2-5 loss to Oratory Youths, to open the second round, with the team breathing down the leaders’ neck, Patrick was dismissed. Shortly after he joined the coaching staff of rivals Xewkija Tigers, with which club he has enjoyed some success.