Victor Scerri, Malta’s former national football coach, passed away yesterday at 90 years of age. Scerri was the former Melita F.C. goalkeeper, and also played for Sliema Wanderers F.C. back when it was known as Sliema Athletics. He played for the Sliema club up until 1963.

Victor Scerri went on to become Malta’s very first goalkeeper in the 1957 national team’s debut game against Austria, not the mention being one of the island’s leading football coaches with Msida St Joseph and Sliema Wanderers. He also served as Malta’s national coach for a few months in 1973, and then again between 1978 and 1983.

Being the avid football fanatic that he was, his involvement in the local football scene didn’t stop there. The football giant was also the former president of the Malta Football Coaches association and a leading figure with Centru Sport Edukattiv of Fr Hilary and the chairman and head coach Sliema Wanderers Football Nursery. The Sliema club took to Facebook to announce the news, sharing some kind words about their former coach. “Victor was a real gentleman both off and on the pitch,” they said.

Condolences to all the family.