The amateur club Valletta City were founded in 1929 by a group of vendors who sold their wares in the City market.
In 1929-30, the team took part in the Amateur League but after only four games, they were found guilty of the abandonment of two of their matches and were suspended from the league.
The following season, they were re-admitted to the league and were placed in the Second Division. However, they gave away so many walkovers that they were finally removed from the association.
After their turbulent period in the Amateur League, Valletta City were reduced to playing friendly matches against amateur teams from around the City area.
The club, however, was destined for greater things and in 1932-33, they took the first step on the path that would eventually lead them to the top division of Maltese football.
In the summer of 1932, Valletta City were admitted to the Third Division of the MFA league.
Valletta City made their league debut on January 29, 1933, against Little St George’s. They lost 0-1 but showed that they had enough potential to climb further up the league table.
The Citizens won four of their remaining five matches and finished third in the league, only three points behind the eventual winners, Little St George’s.
This position assured them of a place in the Third Division the following season.
Season 1932-33 saw the end of the old Empire Sports Ground.
The enterprising proprietor of the ground, Carmelo Scicluna, signed a contract with a British syndicate to hold greyhound racing at the Empire.
Extensive alterations were needed and during the summer of 1933, the Empire was pulled down and work started on a new stadium.
Therefore, 1933-34 was the first season played at the renovated, Empire Stadium.
That particular season the Third Division League was extended to two divisions. However, Section A was the senior division and the eventual winners, Valletta City were declared Division Three champions.
Valletta City were worthy winners with maximum points from five matches.
They were followed all the way by Gżira Amateurs and it was only the direct encounter that finally decided the issue in favour of the Citizens.
City defeated their neighbours Valletta Swifts 4-2 in perhaps the best match of the competition.
They defeated the other team from Valletta, Upper Barracca FC 1-0, and the second team of Little St George’s 6-0.
In addition, they were awarded a walkover by the third team of Ħamrun Spartans.
On their part, Gzira Amateurs defeated Valletta Swifts and Little St George’s 2-0 and 1-0 respectively and won a walkover against the Spartans.
However, Gżira dropped an important point in a 1-1 draw against Upper Barracca. This meant that they needed to beat Valletta City in the last match of the competition to win the championship.
This game was played on Sunday, March 11, 1934, in front of a huge crowd of enthusiastic supporters.
Gżira needed a victory to win the championship while a draw was enough for Valletta.
It was reported in The Daily Malta Chronicle that Gżira played the best football but Valletta were much more menacing in front of goal.
Midway through the second period, Valletta finally managed to open the score.
However, a few minutes later, one of their players was sent-off for kicking an opponent.
Despite this handicap, Valletta managed to hold on to their lead up to the final whistle.
