The 2016–17 season got off to the worst possible start with Swieqi United losing 3 points after Attard won a protest after the Orange had fielded an ineligible player. Despite this setback, the Orange went beyond all expectations in the league and managed to register some crucial victories to gain an initial momentum which would prove vital. New signings in particular Kyle Muscat and Sean Gatt Baldacchino provided much needed stability to a team which was already on the way up and with the additions of Roderick Taliana, foreigner Ion-Alin Margarit and Matthew Laferla – the group started to gel and grow stronger. The Orange grabbed some fine wins, narrowly losing against the top teams and ended up the season in 5th place out of 14 teams. Coaches Billy Mock and Rodney Bugeja had utilised more than 20 minors players with the Seniors team thereby highlighting Swieqi’s philosophy of promoting youth and giving them a chance.
The Under 19s also had an amazing season finally clinching promotion to Section C after a titanic battle in Section D with Santa Lucija, Birzebbugia and Luqa St. Andrew’s. The Orange lost only two games all season [both against Sta. Lucija] and played some awesome football along the way. Nicholas Schembri was particularly prolific for the Orange scoring over 30 goals throughout the season and helping the Orange achieve the much-coveted promotion. It took a final day win against Birzebbugia to confirm promotion. With Swieqi needing a win to seal the title, the Northerners displayed their superiority by hammering Birzebbuga 6–0 to ensure their credentials as the top team in Section D. It is worth nothing that the 19s also reached the Quarter-finals of the Youth KO (losing 1–2 to Melita) and for the first time ever, an IASC team was introduced with the aim of giving more young players the chance in an amateur competition.
The Under 17s also had quite a positive season placing 4th in Section C and gaining much needed experience. Led by Andrea Vella and Julian Bonello, the young Orange gained some respectable results beating the likes of Zabbar St. Patrick’s and Fgura United along the way. The Under 15s, well marshalled by Gilbert Micallef and Justin Rizzo managed to win promotion to Section D despite losing the play-off vs Marsascala (1–3). It was a very positive season for this age group which was playing against more physically imposing squads. The future certainly is very bright for both these sections.
Our Women’s team finally managed to gain their first major silverware winning the BOV 2nd Division in clinical fashion (losing only one game all season). The group was expertly led by new coach Keith Gouder (assisted by Jochen Lenders), who managed to win promotion with a couple of games to spare. Another milestone was reached when Emma Moore was crowned BOV 2nd Division top scorer for 2016–17.
Finally, our Futsal team competed once again in the top echelon of Maltese Futsal. They took part in the Elite League and finished fourth behind the likes of Luxol St. Andrews’, Valletta F.C. and Hamrun Spartans. It was certainly a positive season for this group. It must also be stated that the club also opted to field a Futsal Under-21 team which gained some respectable results along the way. The group was mainly used to introduce young players to futsal in the hope that more footballers will pursue this sport.
