Former Malta player Joseph (Faqi) Farrugiapasses away

Former Marsa and Malta national team player Joseph ‘Faqi’ Farrugia passed away earlier this morning, aged 72. The striker had his best days at the end of the 1960s and start of the 1970s and made 3 full caps for Malta.

Joseph Farrugia, who originally hails from Qrendi, came through the youth ranks of Zurrieq when he represented the Malta Under-18 team in the away match against Italy (0-1) om 20 December 1967. In August 1968 he was transferred to Sliema Wanderers, where he only played one season before joining Marsa. It was with Marsa where Faqi had his best days, winning promotion to the 1^st Division in season 1969/70 when he was also crowned as 2^nd Division Top Scorer.

For the next three seasons, Faqi rose to the top of Maltese football, playing in the historic UEFA Cup match against Juventus (1971) after making his debut for the national team on 18 June 1971 in the European Championship Qualification match in Athens against Greece. He also made two substitute appearances for Malta in the matches against Hungary (1971) and Algeria (1972).

In 1973, Faqi emigrated to Australia where he played for Melita Eagles before briefly returning to Malta, playing again for Marsa between 1979/80 and 1981/82.  

Lord grant him eternal rest.