Maltese amateur football Maleth Albion FC has found itself at the centre of an unexpected wave of Irish media fandom following the launch of their new 2025-26 kit, receiving recognition by Irish portal Extra.ie.
Maleth Albion FC, which competes in the Swan Amateur League after gaining promotion from the GIDA League, released striking black and white jerseys emblazoned with the iconic Guinness branding. As Extra.ie journalist, Chloe O’Keeffe reports, “The level of interest in our football team has exceeded all expectations, and we’re genuinely mind-blown.”
The club’s kit crest blends Maltese identity with Irish symbolism: a white harp on a green background sits alongside The Blind Stag Barber and The Dubliner Irish Pub logos, with the Maltese cross completing the design. The fusion appears to have hit a sweet spot with Irish football fans. One fan commented via social media: “Arguably the best kit in Malta across all categories.”
Irish interest was not an afterthought. Maleth Albion publicly thanked supporters over the weekend following the kit drop: “We are currently making some updates and will be in touch soon with everyone! UP THE MALETH,” read the club’s announcement, acknowledging the unexpected overseas attention.
O’Keeffe writes that the jerseys “come in black and white with GUINNESS printed across the front” and points out that “the club is sponsored by The Blind Stag Barber as well as The Dubliner Irish pub in Malta”, highlighting the cross-cultural link that helped the kits boom in popularity. The black version features white logo lettering and subtle lines across the body, while the white version reverses the palette, offering two strong, stylish alternatives.
While the club’s primary ambition remains success on the pitch, this surge of social media interest from Ireland presents unexpected commercial upside. According to Extra.ie, the club described the interest as “outstanding support” and confirmed the kit quantities are limited, driving demand from collectors and casual overseas fans alike.
The phenomenon comes only months after Dublin’s Bohemians partnered with Guinness for their away jersey, combining the well-known stout’s heritage with football culture. Yet in Malta’s case, the story is all the more remarkable because Maleth Albion operate at an amateur level, far removed from the professional football spotlight.
As Chloe O’Keeffe aptly concludes, what began as a local kit launch has transformed into “a whole cohort of new fans from Ireland”, proof, once again, that football’s global reach often stems from the most unexpected places.
