Valletta FC Legend Louis Pace Dies At 77
A commanding presence on the pitch and one of the island’s finest defenders of the 1970s, Louis Pace proudly wore the white of Valletta and the red of Malta during a golden era for local football.
He earned five caps for the Maltese national team, making his debut in Malta’s first-ever match played in London against England on 12 May 1971 — a historic European Championship qualifier that ended 5–0 for the hosts.
Pace went on to represent Malta against Hungary, Greece, and Austria, building a reputation for his discipline, physical strength and calm leadership at the back.
At club level, Louis Pace spent his entire career with Valletta FC, a team he supported passionately from a young age. He made his senior debut at just 18 years old, in January 1966, during a league match against Hibernians.
Over the years, he became a pillar of Valletta’s defence and helped the club secure the 1973/74 league title — one of their most memorable seasons.
In 1972, Pace captained Valletta in their famous UEFA Cup clash against Inter Milan, leading the team out in front of a packed Empire Stadium in Gżira and exchanging pennants with Italian legend Sandro Mazzola. Despite losing 1–0 on the day, it remains one of Valletta’s most iconic European nights.
During his career with Valletta, Pace played 88 matches and scored once, but his legacy went far beyond numbers. He was admired for his sportsmanship, his reading of the game, and the respect he showed to teammates and rivals alike.
Off the pitch, Louis came from a close-knit Valletta family who ran the Britannia Bar, a local landmark for many football fans of the time. Balancing his football with family life and work was never easy, but he was always encouraged to keep playing — training back then often took place at the old ditch near Victoria Gate, long before professional facilities existed.
He was also the owner of the beloved Wigi’s Kitchen in St Julian’s, a restaurant that became one of Malta’s most cherished dining spots — known for its warmth, community spirit and genuine hospitality, much like the man himself.
Pace was a product of an era when Maltese football was raw, community-driven, and fiercely loyal. He often recalled the electric atmosphere at the Empire Stadium, where Valletta fans filled their side of the stands week after week, long before football was televised.
He once said that playing on that hard surface wasn’t difficult for them — it was playing on grass abroad that terrified him.
After more than a decade in football, Louis retired in his mid-20s following a painful 3–0 defeat to Floriana — a moment that made him realise, as he put it, that it was time to stop “for my father’s sake.”Though he left the game early, his name remained etched in the memories of Valletta supporters and Maltese football historians alike.
Those who watched him play remember a defender of quiet authority and great humility, one who led by example rather than words.
Louis Pace will forever be remembered as part of Valletta’s proud footballing heritage — a local boy who lived the dream of representing both his city and his country.
Rest in peace, Louis Pace — a true gentleman of Maltese football, and of Maltese life.
Photo credits: Wigi’s Kitchen and Valletta FC