Demise of Tony Formosa, ex-Malta national team coach

OBITUARY

The Malta Football Association is deeply saddened by the news that former national team coach Tony Formosa has passed away. The much-decorated sports personality died earlier today, aged 86.

Formosa has been at the helm of the Malta national football team between May 1971 and November 1972, with as highlight the first ever England-Malta match at Wembley in 1971. The qualified mentor also coached Malta for a brief stint in 1966, joint with Janos Bedl, stirring the Maltese to a memorable 1-0 victory in a Friendly with Libya at Manoel Island.

Formosa was born in Victoria, Gozo, on June 2, 1937, and received his education at the Lyceum in Hamrun, then in Valletta and consequently at St Michael's Training College Ta' Giorni, from where he managed to qualify as a teacher specialising in mathematics and physical education. He continued his studies at the famous Carnegie College of PE in Leeds where he obtained a diploma with distinction.

In 1962, Formosa successfully followed two coaching courses in the UK where he obtained the FA Preliminary Coaching certificate. That same year, he became the first Maltese to receive the Full Badge which meant that he could coach the game of Association Football at all levels.

After a modest playing career, his first coaching appointment was with Zejtun Corinthians in 1961 before moving on to Hamrun Spartans. Formosa continued with successful spells with Valletta, Floriana and Sliema Wanderers, while inbetween he coached the Malta Under-18 side on three occasions with matches against Italy, Switzerland and Austria.

In 1987, after the UEFA Cup match with Valletta versus Juventus, Formosa retired from coaching after 197 top flight matches and was appointed Head of Sports within the Ministry of Youth and Culture.

Formosa is the founder of Skolasport and was also very known for his commentaries during televised international football matches and as a producer of sport programmes on local radio stations.

May he rest in peace.