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Born on the 22nd of February
1957, Frank's love
for Ghajnsielem is reflected in a thread of uninterrupted
involvement and contribution, to Ghajnsielem F.C., the St
Joseph Band Club and the Ghajnsielem Local Council.
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
U/18 (one championship) and U/21 team (two
championships). |
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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.
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.
Francis Xuereb also served a
term as a councillor for the 4th Administration of the
Ghajnsielem Local Council between 2002 - 2005
Having started his life
supporting the Club from the terraces as a young boy,
suffering and rejoicing with the players and other
supporters after matches, Frank returned to this thrilling
practice after his days of player, club official and coach
were over. In this picture he is seen celebrating with
Willie Cutajar in the aftermath of the sixth championship
clinching win over Xewkija Tigers on May 1, 2005. The black
and white vertically striped shirt which is so evocative of
the Club's and Frank's glory days looks just great on this
remarkable individual.
In the 1976/77 Ghajnsielem
went through the season unbeaten and finished runners-up to
Sannat Lions. This was a great achievement for such a young
side. Frank reached his personal pinnacle by being chosen as
the Club's player of the year, and the G.F.A. Footballer of
the Y
ear of the daily newspaper, Il-Hajja
August 2003 - Tolfa
(Peter Caruana, Frank Xuereb, Maltese Ambassador Mr.
Edward Melillo and Joe Debono)
Since his younger years he has
also been an accomplished musician within the St. Joseph
Band Club
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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.
On March 28, 2006
Ghajnsielem was stunned with that sad news
that one of its favourite sons, Frank Xuereb, has passed
away. He was just 49
years old.
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