Written by Loreto Scicluna

This afternoon, Ghajnsielem was stunned with the sad news that one of its favourite sons, Frank Xuereb, has passed away. Frank was in New York at the time, and was reportedly due to return to his hometown this Sunday. He was just 49 years old.

He is mourned by his wife Vivienne, daughter Josepha, his son Mark, his parents, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, including Frank Buttigieg, Matthew Portelli, Charlon Tabone, Manuel Xuereb, Melvin Xuereb (all Blacks players), Alvin Tabone (member of the committee), cousins, friends, the committee and  members of every major organization in Ghajnsielem, including the Club, the St. Joseph Band Club (of which he was still a prominent musician), the Local Council and others. He is mourned by the entire community of which he was one of the leaders for most of his life. He is mourned by many Gozitans and Maltese who were fortunate to have met him at some point in his life.

Frank's love for Ghajnsielem is reflected in a thread of uninterrupted involvement and contribution, starting from his playing days in the minors, the reserves and first team of the Club. His playing days were cut short by emigration. But until he was felled by a leg injury he continued to play whenever he was back in Malta. Upon his full return to Malta Frank became involved in the football club and was instrumental in ushering the Club into respectability in the 90's. Frank served as Club secretary, G.F.A. council member and delegate. He was also briefly involved as a coach of the Under/18 (one championship) and Under/21 team (two championships). Since his younger years he has also been an accomplished musician within the St. Joseph Band Club and was part of the ensemble led by his close friend, maestro Frank Debono, that performed on special occasions, some somber, some joyful (as in last year's title clincher). Frank also served as councillor on the Ghajnsielem Local Council.

At least for the not so young, the enduring image of Frank is that of this 17-year old blond haired boy, affectionately referred to as il-ginger, who took the field with the Blacks wearing number 3 in the spring of 1974. The period from March to June of that year saw the Blacks catapult themselves into immortality with a series of performances that started with the 5-0 N.S.B. Cup final victory over Nadur Youngsters on the St. Joseph public holiday, the last four league matches (two wins and two draws), the historic 2-4 loss to Hereford United and, the crowning achievement, the 1-0 decider win over Victoria Hotspurs which gave Ghajnsielem their record-breaking 5th consecutive league championship. Frank played in all of these matches in the position of left-back. This was his baptism of fire, and he came through brilliantly. He could thus add a senior championship to the minor league and reserves championships he had won in the previous two seasons. The rest would come easy to him. He was consistently one of the best players in Gozo in the years that followed: he kept an increasingly depleted Blacks side near the top for the next few years, he was regularly selected for the Gozo XI, he played for Marsa F.C., he was the Club's player of the year and Il-Hajja's G.F.A. footballer of the year in 1976/77. Yet there was more to Frank then tangible honours and achievements.

He was an inspiring figure. He approached whatever responsibility he took on with great passion and commitment, and it was impossible not to be swept away by his enthusiasm, even, or perhaps especially, when the times were tough. Frank's inspiration is ensconced in the hearts of all those he touched.  Click Here for a photo gallery (collected by Loreto Scicluna)