ECHOES FROM ACROSS THE CHANNEL

MALTA FOUNDED 1959 MALTA

Following the recognition of the Gozo branch by the Manchester United Supporters’ Club Malta, our branch organized a series of events as detailed in the previous editions of our publication. Since we are now officially recognized, MUSC Malta decided to hold an Annual General Meeting at our branch to update the Gozo members on the state of affairs of the club and activities which are in the pipe line.

The meeting was held on the 2 nd February and started with mass to commemorate the 62 nd anniversary of the Munich Tragedy. The date of 6 th February will forever be circled on the calendars of everyone connected with Manchester United. On that day in 1958, the darkest day in United’s history, 23 people - including eight players and three members of the club’s staff - suffered fatal injuries in the Munich Air Disaster. The eight players

who perished were Geoff Bent (25), Roger Byrne (28), Eddie Colman (21), Duncan Edwards (21), Mark Jones (24), David Pegg (22), Tommy Taylor (26) and Liam Whelan (22). Edwards, considered by many to be the finest player of his generation, died 15 days after the accident. Before mass, a short clip was shown to remember and give homage to the Busby Babes. Mass was celebrated by Fr. Carmel Portelli, an avid supporter of United. Although it occurred a few days later, we take this opportunity to give our farewell to Harry Gregg, a crash survivor, who passed away on the 16 th February aged 87. This year’s AGM started with a minute silence in memory of Ronnie Sacco and Elias Mizzi (both having passed away very recently) and all the other members and their relatives who passed on to a better world during the last twelve months. The meeting started with an introduction from the MUSC Malta president Joseph Tedseco and architect Emanuel Vella – the president of MUSC Gozo branch. This was followed by an introduction of the MUSC Malta committee members.

It was pointed out that the Munich Air Disaster of sixty two years ago led to the foundation

of MUSC Malta. This occurred a year after the tragedy precisely on the 4 th of February 1959, when the first meeting was held. It was therefore befitting to commemorate the opening of the Gozo branch by celebrating a mass in honour of the Busby Babes and by holding the first AGM in Gozo at the Victoria (Gozo) premises.

President Joseph Tedesco stated that since assuming his role as president of MUSC Malta in October 2009, the club wanted very much to have closer ties with supporters of Manchester United in Gozo. This was reflected through the several activities of the Malta club that gave due attention to Gozo members. This included the hosting of the Manchester United U-19 team and the displaying of the Premier League trophy. The club received great support mainly from Silvio Rapa, Joe Xerri and Stefan Attard.

For nine consecutive years, MUSC Malta organized an annual meeting for the Gozitan members. Initially the attendance was encouraging, however the numbers decreased year-on-year to a point where the Maltese committee members were outnumbering the attending Gozitan members. Despite this, the club remained determined to always include Gozo in their activities, especially when club legends visited Malta or when trophies were brought over.

In 2011, Gozitan members were given exclusive access to take photos with the Premier League trophy in the MUSC Malta premises and in 2014 the Premier League trophy and club legend Denis Law paid an exclusive visit to the Manchester United supporters in Gozo. Moreover, in September 2018 a number of ex-Manchester United

players, who came to Malta to play a friendly match for charity, visited the Gozo suppor ters, n o t w i t hs t a n d i n g that at that time the club had only 50 members. It is sad to note that despite the eagerness to include Gozo in its programme of events, the number of members from Gozo was still dwindling.

This all changed in September 2018 when the MUSC president received a telephone call from Chris Micallef who is currently running the bar in the Gozo branch. Chris took the initiative to refurbish the club and showed a strong will to unite all Gozitan supporters of Manchester United with MUSC Malta. His determination led to the signing of an agreement on the 3 rd of May 2019 when the club celebrated this milestone by bringing the Europa League trophy. Through this agreement, the United Club in Gozo started being recognised as the official Gozo branch as long as it adheres to the terms agreed on. The first committee members of the Gozo branch are:

President: Emannuel Vella Secretary: Chris Micallef Treasurer: Victor Zammit Membership: Rafel Axiaq Fundraising: Joe Galea Member: Joe Xerri MUSC Malta member: Joseph Tedesco

The club committee holds regular meetings and also meets bi-monthly, when a representative of MUSC Malta attends. During these meetings, upcoming activities and other club matters are discussed. Currently the Gozo branch is liaising with MUSC Malta to organise the programme of activities when the Manchester United Under 15s visit Gozo.

During the AGM, the committee members expressed their desire to have more activities. These include organizing a tour for the Gozo members to Old Trafford and hosting a Christmas party for the Gozitan members in Gozo. However this depends on the backing they receive from the Gozitan members. Moving on to MUSC Malta, the current challenges facing the club were discussed with the most pressing being advertising issues, the magazine and the updating of the database system of the members. The club is currently seeking to be more appealing to be able to attract the younger generation.

MUSC Malta have currently embarked on another major project to refurbish the façade, the board room and upgrade the electrical system.

During the AGM, the president remarked about the good relationship that MUSC Malta has with Old Trafford. All Manchester United fans can easily see that the Maltese club is highly regarded by MUFC in England. The family-like bond that the club has fostered with MUFC has made MUSC Malta the benchmark for other teams’ supporters’ clubs on the Maltese islands.

MUSC remain committed to attract more members and organize more activities for them to keep the Manchester United flag flying high. Through hard work and transparency, MUSC club is determined to get more Gozo members on board. Gozitan members who want to be part of the Manchester United family can become members by contacting Chris Micallef (secretary) or Rafel Axiaq (membership secretary).

Others:

Obituaries On Monday 27 th January, MUSC Gozo received the sad news of the passing away of Ronnie Sacco who was a passionate Manchester United supporter. He was a member for many years and was barman for several seasons. Funeral was held on Wednesday 29 th . RIP Ronnie. Till we unite again.

Open invitation On behalf of the Gozo MUSC branch, we recommend and invite all members of MUSC Malta to visit the Manchester United branch in Victoria Gozo. If you happen to be in Gozo and want to keep up with the action in a proper Manchester United environment, this is the place to come. It is the place where Gozitan members meet to watch all Manchester United games in a wonderful Manchester United shrine. Entrance is free of charge.

Volume 46- Issue 1, October 2018

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Volume 46- Issue 3, March 201 9

Manchester United Supporters’ Club-Malta Founded 1959, is officially recognized by the Manchester United Football Club.

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Manchester United Supporters’ Club-Malta Founded 1959, is officially recognized by the Manchester United Football Club.

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Manchester United Supporters’ Club-Malta Founded 1959, is officially recognized by the Manchester United Football Club. Manchester United Supporters’ Club-Malta Founded 1959, is officially recognized by the Manchester United Supporters’ Club-Malta Founded 1959, is officially recognized by the Manchester United Football Club.

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