Football in Malta reportedly started in 1886. The foundation of Valletta F.C. was laid with the creation of the Valletta United team. Valletta United was known as the 'team of the square' since the club was located in St. George's Square. Valletta United represented the city from 1904 to 1932.

Valletta United won the Championship twice, in 1914/15 and 1931/32. They were also runners up for two seasons 1925/26 and 1926/27. United also won the Cousis Shield, which is also known as the Knock Out Competition (although the word "Trophy" is even more familiar) - they won this twice in 1914/15, and they did the double in that season and in 1920/21.

Valletta United 1914-15

Although Sliema and Floriana dominated the local scene in those times, by winning these trophies it was Valletta United that started to break into this monopoly and induce greater competition. Valletta United were very active in the Championship of the first division and in fact played 97 games.

During the period that Valletta United played within the M.F.A. (i.e. from 1909 to 1932), Valletta United won the championship in 1931/32. However for some reason in the following season, Valletta United disappeared from the football scene and thus the monopoly of Sliema and Floriana football clubs recommenced.

Valletta United was the not the only team from the city that played in the highest Division of the M.F.A. In the 1925/26 and the 1926/27 seasons there were Valletta Rovers who played in the highest Division of the M.F.A., then in the season 1937/38 and 1938/39 there was Valletta City. There were St. Paul's and the Valletta Prestons who were playing in the second division.

It is to be noted that St. Paul's were always in a better division than the Prestons until the end of season 1939-40 when Valletta St.Paul's finished last of Division 1 an relegated to division 2, while Valletta Prestons finished top of 2nd division and promoted to 1st division.