Football player Hugh Caruana dies at 78

Football player and veteran broadcaster Hugh Caruana died on Friday at the age of 78.

Caruana is best known for his playing career with Ġżira and Floriana in the 1960s and 1970s, before transitioning into coaching and hosting sports television shows during his career.

Caruana was born on April 22, 1946 in Guila and made his debut for the team at the age of 16 in the second division Guila United match against Mosta.

Hugh Caruana as a young football player

Several clubs expressed interest in Caruana at the start of his career and he was rumoured to be acquired by Sliema Wanderers.

However, unexpectedly, Caruana eventually signed with Floriana Football Club.

Caruana immediately became a star at Floriana, where he played for six seasons, winning two titles and two FA Trophies.

He later left Floriana and joined Sliema in 1970. Despite only playing for the club for a short time, Caruana saw the club win two more titles in three seasons.

He retired from professional football in 1974.

The news of Caruana’s death sparked tributes from many, including the National Party.

Last June, Caruana was again elected as a member of the Ġżira Local Assembly for the National Party.

“In addition to a great career in sport, Hugh Caruana served as a local councillor representing the Nationalist Party until June last year, working with love for the island’s geographical location and total loyalty to the Nationalist Party,” they said in a statement.

Christian Micallef, one of Caruana’s former colleagues on sports show Replay, said Caruana was a “joke master with a good heart”.

He said: “My thoughts went back to the good times I had with Hugh, especially those at Replay Stadium.”

“High has been one of our regular guests for many years and his personality has endeared him to many viewers who didn’t know him before.”

Floriana Football Club said in a memorial post that Caruana was one of the club’s “idols”.

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

Sliema Wanderers added that Kavulana will always be remembered for his role in the club’s three consecutive Premier League titles during his time as assistant coach in the early 21st century.