Former player, coach Hugh Caruana dies aged 78

Renowned former footballer and veteran broadcaster Hugh Caruana died on Friday. He was 78 years old. 

Caruana is best known for playing for Gżira United and Floriana during the 1960s and 1970s, later transitioning to coaching and presenting sports television programmes. 

Caruana was born on April 22, 1946, in Gżira and made his debut with the Maroons in the second division when he was 16 years old, in a match against Mosta. 

Several clubs expressed interest in Caruana at the start of his career, with rumours that he was going to be snatched up by Sliema Wanderers.

However, in a surprising twist, Caruana ended signing with Floriana instead. Caruana was an immediate star with Floriana and played there for six seasons, winning two championships and two FA Trophies. 

He would later leave Floriana and join Sliema in 1970. Despite only being with the club for a short time, Caruana saw the club win another two championships in his three seasons there. 

He retired from playing professional football in 1974. 

In a tribute post, Floriana FC said Caruana was one of the club’s “icons”. 

“Hugh Caruana left an indelible mark on our club’s rich history both as a player and as a coach as his legacy will last forever in our hearts,” they said. 

Sliema Wanderers added that Caruana would always be remembered for the role he played in winning the club three consecutive Premier League titles in the early 2000s while serving as an assistant coach.