Think and act seriously, love and play the game

The Malta Independent on Sunday meets FREDDIE MIZZI, ex-Floriana, Hibernians and Malta international goalkeeper. He speaks about his footballing career, the matches against Real Madrid and Manchester United and the 1972 showdown against mighty England.

Mizzi, affectionately known as IlPampalun, is regarded as one of Malta’s great goalkeepers. He was born in Floriana on 10 January, 1941. He is married to the late Carmen Mallia and from this marriage he had three children, Maria, Joanna and Silvan with all three joining their beloved mother near our Almighty Lord.

Going back over 70 years Mizzi recounts how it all started. “I recall that at the age of five I started attending the Catholic

Action, San Girgor, Sliema. I had already started playing football at that tender age. Apart from football it was roaming and playing in the streets since during those days they were much safer. We used to play in the Square next to Nazzarenu Street and there were the likes of Wally Hili, Johnny Calleja and Sammy Nicholl to mention a few. I was the youngest of them all and since I used to watch them play they used to call me to play as a goalkeeper.”

As regards education and work experience Freddie described in detail what he went through. “I started attending St Joseph School, Sliema and after a year they took me to Monte Sori, Sliema school. For secondary schooling I attended the Lyceum at Ħamrun. My work experiences took me to the International Air Radio, Luqa where I worked as a clerk. Furthermore I had jobs with Mizzi Motors and also Gasan before joining the Phoenicia Group where I stayed for 41 years.”

But how did Freddie’s interest in football begin? “As I said earlier, my interest in football started at San Girgor. But I also used to follow and play waterpoolo. I played with the Neptunes Boys’ team and even with the Reserves team. But I opted for football and I don’t regret it. I also used to play tennis but just as a leisure sport.”

During Mizzi’s time it wasn’t about money. The players just played for the genuine passion of the game. “I started my career at the Sliema Catholic Action since our Under 16 team took part in the District League. When still 13 years is-Sur Gian Bencini took me and four other players to Melita FC to play in the minors’ league. After just a week with Melita I was chosen to play with the Reserves and also with the First team. In fact I stayed with Melita for two years and at 15 I was transferred to Floriana where I stayed for three years, winning the league for the first time. In fact in 1958 when I was 16 I won three cups with the Greens. I joined Hibernians after failing to reach an agreement with Floriana and I stayed there for 20 years, retiring at 38.”

But il-Pampalun’s most successful time came during his tenure with Hibernians. “With the Paolites I won three league championships, three FA Trophies, the Sons of Malta Cup and twice the Independence Cup. Moreover, I also won the Cassar Cup and the Schembri Shield. This was a fantastic time with Hibernians since we had one of the best teams on the island.”

But during his time resources were limited and training facilites practically primitive. “It was a difficult but beautiful time after all. I used to finish work at 5pm and would go straight to training. We had no artificial lights at the time. Balls were at a minimum and they used to advise us to be careful not to to lose balls. Occassionally we were taken to the Gymnasium at the Paola Primary School. With Floriana we used to train at Xagħra.”

Mizzi was the darling of the Empire Stadium, a place which made football more attractive for the supporters to follow their beloved teams. “The Stadium was practically full especially for big matches like FlorianaSliema. The fact that supporters were so close to the players made a big difference. Football was played on the British model and there was a good number of skillful players. The game was more based on individual players but team work was also part of the plan.”

With Hibernians Freddie played a lot of matches on the international stage. He faced the likes of Real and Atletico Madrid and Manchester United, among others. “These were the matches which we all looked forward to. We played against the top teams and had good results. Against Real Madrid and Manchester United we drew 0-0 at the Empire Stadium. We lost 4-0 at Old Trafford against the likes of George Best and Bobby Charlton and till 10 minutes from the end the score was still 2-0. I am also honoured that against Real Madrid, a match which we lost 50, I saved a penalty. But it was a game played at the Bernabeu against 12 not 11 players since the referee was one sided all through the game.”

“Apart from these top matches we played a number of friendlies against top sides. Against Arsenal we drew 0-0, we narrowly lost against Chelsea 01 and won by a 2-1 scoreline against Portsmouth.”

Playing with the national team was another milestone. At that time only a few matches every season were played. In fact Mizzi played for the national team with the 1972 England game billed as the highlight of his career. “When the draws were made, we already felt the pressure. We prepated in detail for all the fixtures since we were in a group comprising also Greece and Switzerland. I have to admit that I was very emotional on entering the stadium and seeing that large crowd. The atmosphere was electrifying.”

“The game was fairly balanced and to be honest I was never pushed to make any particular saves apart from cutting numerous crosses from either side. We lost by a solitary goal and we were rather unlucky since I could only see Martin Peters shot a bit late after making its way past a good number of players. I think that Joe Cini’s goal should have stood but the referee cancelled it out judging that Cini had fouled Gordon Banks.”

Looking back, one of my regrets is that I wasn’t given a chance to play abroad. “Servette came for me and I was of the opinion that everything was settled. A few days later I asked my club Hibernians if the team had lost interest in me. Their reply was that they told the Swiss team that I was homesick. There was an inquiry by Juventus and I also went for three months with Portsmouth. My only regret is that I was denied to further my career abroad.”

After packing up Mizzi practically stayed away from the game. Was there any reason for this? “My interest in the game fizzled off. I tried to coach but it wasn’t my cup of tea. I was only a goalkeeper’s coach with

Hibernians for about five years but that was it.”

With the majority of the squad that he played with, no longer with us, Freddie misses the reunion aspect. “We haven’t met for ages. From the Floriana team only Lolly Debattista and Lolly Borg are left. But it is always a pleasure to meet and we recall those wonderful times.”

Does Freddie have an opinion of what’s in store as regards the future of the beautiful game on our island? “I’m not a person who follows local football so I can’t give any form of opinion about the future of football. All I can say is that today’s players have got everything contrary to our days. The clubs have made great strides in building their facilities, obviously with the support of the government and sponsors. So whoever has the talent can make great strides.”

Turning our attention onto more personal matters Mizzi cherishes family values a lot. “Family is all about love and unity. Life is beautiful but can be cruel at times. I lost my wife six year ago at the age of 66 and my three children, a baby, a 25- and a 35-year-old.’

And what are Mizzi’s culinary tastes. Does he favour any particular food. “I like all kinds of pasta with any sauce. It’s exquisite.” Mentioning travel Freddie has also got his favourite destinations. “England is the place to be. It’s my favourite place. I consider it as my second home. My late wife’s brother and sister live there and I practically was on and off in the UK for a period of four years because of my daughter’s illness. Having said that, Italy is another place I love to visit. My grandfather is Italian so it’s got a special place in my heart.”

The former Malta international goalkeeper likes to watch television and considers himself user friendly with computers. And what does he do in his free time. “I’ve got four friends and we meet every day at Balluta for a walk and a drink. Occasionally we eat out together and I’ve got another group of friends with whom I meet in the evenings. I am also a supporter of Arsenal and I follow the team with great passion.”

Before bringing to an end this interview with one of the alltime football greats, il-Pampalun wanted to pass on one final word. “Every player has to think and act seriously. Money is not everything. I played for about six to seven years as an amateur. My father never wanted me to play for the money. But unfortunately we are now living in a different world. Love the game, play the game and respect one another.”