Meet the Committee
Kevin Tabone
1) Can you tell us something about yourself (your personal life, age, marital status, work/profession)? What are your favourite past-times apart from football? What was your favourite holiday destination? What are three words that describe you?
legend? If there was one thing you could change at United, what would it be? If you were Man Utd manager and had an unlimited budget, which player would you bring to United and why? Which team would you support if Man Utd did not exist?
I’m Kevin Tabone, just turned 40 last January (keep this quiet please), married to my childhood sweetheart Lucianne and have 2 gentlemen, Justyn (20) and Wayne (15), that I’m proud to call my sons. Those close to me know that I put a lot of emphasis on loyalty, honesty and am one who gives a lot of attention to detail. Those who know me would say that I love games. All kinds, ranging from sports, board games, Playstation, etc. This is how I also see life - one full of games. And it is what drives me on and on – winning these challenges daily.
United has been a part of my family even before I was born. I absolutely had no choice! My uncle Lorry, who a long time ago went to live in England, started following the Busby Babes and from that day onwards he and the whole of mum’s family were drawn towards the name of Manchester United. My uncle even managed to convert his dad to follow Utd!
For the past 22 years I’ve been working with the leading furniture company and also have some personal business interests which I’m hopeful will develop and grow so that one day I will be able to work for my own business. I have plenty of hobbies, though I wish I had more time for these. I absolutely love reading. My wife says that when I read, I’m in a world of my own and she’s right. I completely detach myself from the world when I read. I also love films and lately been engaged with different types of TV series. They range from historical ones, to sci-fi, to thrillers. But so far, my all-time favourite is Spartacus. The world is such a big place and it is a dream of mine to visit so many other countries and cities. To date, Rome has been my favourite place I’ve been to. Although, I witnessed one of my worst days in my life there when we lost to Barcelona in the Champions League final, I visited the city another time with my wife. I would describe the city as a walking-museum! Fascinating! I would go again and again tomorrow. 2) How did you start supporting United? What is your best memory of United? How many times have you visited Old Trafford? Who is your favourite current player and club
My best memory (you’re going to get me in trouble here!) and my best day of my life is the 1999 CL final against Bayern Munich! I consider myself so lucky to have witnessed this game at the Nou Camp. This was also my first live Man Utd game to have attended. The emotions during the match, the atmosphere after the match and then the celebrations at the Ramblas! As I’m writing this, I’m having shivers down my spine again! It’s fitting that my favourite all-time Man Utd player used to play his football during this era – David Beckham. The way his right foot used to kiss the football was a sight to behold! Currently, I would say that Raphael Varane is my favourite player, though if we were to sign Kante from Chelsea I would have him as my favourite one! Apart from being a very good player, he’s such a wonderful human being. If I had the power to change something at Man Utd, it would be to make sure that the commercial side, which is a must in today’s world, does not overpower the footballing side. I feel that the club can do so much more to ensure we are a much bigger force on the field. Back in 2003, when the Glazers took over the club I was in this very difficult position of having to take a decision whether to continue supporting the club. I’m sure you will all agree that it’s not an easy place to be in. For some reason I have a soft spot for Tottenham (don’t ask me why) and I do follow Salford City’s
results but I can’t see myself ever changing the football club. 3) What attracted you to join the Supporters’ Club? What made you contest the Committee election? Describe your role in the club. Why would you recommend a United supporter to join the world’s oldest Man Utd supporters’ club? My life used to be about family, Man Utd and work. And please, because I get asked this question so many times, don’t make me rank these! That list grew in 2013 – now my life is about the same 3 plus MUSC Malta. I always knew about the Supporters’ Club though I didn’t visit that often. I used to hate the idea of having to listen to other people’s comments criticizing the manager and the players during the matches. Nowadays, I’m a bit more tolerant though I still voice my opinion if I think otherwise. Joseph Tedesco, a person I’ve known since I was a child and also a great influence in my life, had approached me, first to help out with the scanning of the Club’s documents and then to co-present the club’s radio programme Action Replay. A couple of years after, I organized a Man Utd quiz at the club and then in 2013 I felt it was the right time to fully commit myself to being a committee member. I was elected and in my first year was given the role as a secretary. The following year, a friend of mine, after many years of great service towards our beloved supporters’ club, I was trusted with the role of Treasurer, a role which I hold to-date. I try to not limit myself to only involve myself with the club’s finances but also in other aspects. Together with the whole Committee, we do our utmost to move the oldest supporters’ club in the world towards new grounds. Malta has many other associations and clubs but I truly believe that very few exist that have the same level of professionalism that our beloved supporters’ club has. No other agenda apart from promoting the love we have not just for Manchester United but also for MUSC Malta. And there cannot be any better reason for you reading this to continue supporting or join MUSC Malta! United forever, for better and for worse!
VOL 49 - ISSUE 3 - APRIL 2022
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