Frank Xuereb - Photo Gallery

	Photo Gallery FRANK XUEREB February 22, 1957 - March 28, 2006

Ghajnsielem won the Independence Cup in 1966 from the second division. This was the first significant triumph for the Club that Frank, nine years old at the time, had experienced.

Frank Xuereb celebrates with players and other supporters the winning of the Galea Cup in 1969--the honour that marked the beginning of the Blacks' golden years. Happiness was going to the Silver Jubilee Ground and sharing in the joy with your heroes, and dreaming that one day, it will be you wearing the Blacks' shirt and lifting the trophies.

Frank witnessing the trophy presentation up close on the occasion of the Independence Cup triumph of 1970/71. Moments like these shed a light on the source of Frank's passion for the Club and why he treasured so much the Club's silverware laden past.

In the meantime, Frank was biding his time, playing as a 13-14 year old with Funny Bums in the Catholic Action league.

It goes without saying that Frank was also there, along with his father Loreto (who was also always there to witness these historic moments) and several of his brothers, to celebrate the dramatic triumph in the Esso Cup of 1971/72 (substitute Paul Debono scored the winner with a flying header). The Esso Cup had a special place in the heart of Frank and his family because it was his grandfather, Marjanu Xuereb, who sponsored it in 1958, as agent in Gozo for Esso.

By this time, Frank was a regular in the minor league team which won the championship of the category for the second time in Club history (1971/72). Brother Charlie, was also in the side.

Frank poses with team-mate George Fenech on the occasion of the photo shoot of the new champions. The two would later play vital roles at different times in the quest for the 5th championship.

This must have been a tremendous occasion for young Frank. Here he was being honoured on trophy presentation day of 1972, just one step removed from his life-long dream of playing for the senior Blacks. Here he was wearing the Blacks' colours but as yet only as a minor. Minor team captain was current Blacks president, Raymond Grech. The following year, Frank was part of the Ghajnsielem team that won the reserves league championship. On the same trophy presentation day, Frank was not there, or at least was not dressed up. Had he been asked, Frank would have explained--he had a vivid memory of the history that he witnessed composed of sights, sounds and emotions. One simply had to ask!

On March 19, 1974, the St. Joseph public holiday, Ghajnsielem played against Nadur Youngsters for the National Sports Board Cup. Frank made his debut for the senior team at left full-back, less than a month past his 17th birthday. Ghajnsielem won the match 5-0, and Frank's first official photo with the Blacks' first team is one marking yet another success for the Club.

Here he waits, alongside Paul Debono, Frans Magro and the rest of the team, for his turn to receive the winners' medal, and watches with pride the inspirational Vincent Cutajar receive his from Colin Cauchi of the NSB.

On Carnival Tuesday, May 14, 1974, Frank started at left-back against the English side Hereford United. This was an historic occasion for football in Gozo: this was the first time that a Gozitan club played against a club affiliated with foreign association, the English F.A. no less. Frank was one hand-shake removed from the players he watched on Star Soccer every Saturday. Life could not get any better than this!

Frank is here seen guarding one of Wistin Sciberras' posts during the first half of the match against Hereford United. Ghajnsielem trailed 1-2 at half-time. Frank had played incredibly well for a rookie against professional players in that half. All the running to keep up with the athletic English took its toll and Frank gave way to Philip Camilleri for the second half. Ghajnsielem registered a highly respectable 2-4 loss against the F.A. Cup giant killers.

Oh yes life could get better! Frank Xuereb watches the Renton Cup leave the hands of G.F.A. president Cav. Koli Apap and reach the hands of captain Loreto Galea, on the occasion of the conquest of the fifth consecutive championship in Club history. He was there as an important participant, both in the run-in to the league championship and in the decider against Victoria Hotspurs, which Ghajnsielem won 1-0 thanks to Frans Magro's dramatic late winner.

The heroes of 1973/74 had the presence of mind to compose themselves for a few photographs between the mayhem that followed the final whistle and the Cup presentation and the wild partying that went deep into the night. The senior Blacks had the weary look of someone who had scaled the Everest and the nonchalance of someone who had done it five times in a row; Frank and players like his cousin Mario Camilleri, Frans Magro, Philip Camilleri and Leli Refalo wore the fresh smile of first time winners. Joe Meilak shot some footage of this historic match. Unfortunately, most of the action covered is of Ghajnsielem on the attack. We would like to think that this was because the match was a continuous siege on the Hotspurs goal; however, it is closer to the truth that the cameraman was most eager to capture the Blacks on the attack. The consequence of this is that Frank appears very little in this 20 minute film--he does not appear in action at all. So these are a few clips with tantalizing images of the Blacks number three: Frank goes down the steps of the terraces and hurls the flowers to the fans Frank tracks the action and enters the dressing room at half-time Frank joins in the celebration when Frans Magro scores the late winner and later he is hugged after the final whistle

Frank Xuereb looking for a loose ball early in the 1974/75 season.

Frank and his brother Charlie squatting before the prestigious friendly match against Birkirkara F.C. in 1974/75.

Frank Xuereb and one of his best childhood friends, Philip Camilleri, posing in the new Celtic-style shirt sent by the supporters from New York (1975)

This team picture was taken midway through the 1974/75 season on the occasion of the launching of the new kit. This shirt has remained associated with the Blacks' failed attempt to win what would have been an other-worldly 6th consecutive championship. Frank was a regular this season. He scored his two goals in a 5-3 win over Xaghra United on the last day of the season. Missing from this picture is Vincent Cutajar--his lengthy suspension goes a long way into explaining the Blacks' loss of their crown. Also missing is Loreto Galea who missed most of the season because he was abroad. Needless to say, the points dropped in the first part of the season can be explained by his absence. It just was not meant to be. The sixth title would have to wait...

Frank Xuereb and the Blacks in a joint team picture with Sliema Wanderers before a friendly match played in 1975/76.

Frank Xuereb defending against Nadur Youngsters in the 1975/76 season, along with fellow backs Nikol Cutajar and George Schembri.

Frank with his team-mates on the occasion of the first ever match played by the Blacks on turf--the turf of the Marsa sports grounds. The friendly was against Father Hilary Tagliaferro's Malta Youth team. (1976)

This is 1976 and Frank, still not 20, was one of the seniors in a very youthful side that also included his brother Victor.

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 year of the daily newspaper, Il-Hajja.

The early days of the tumultuous 1977/78 season, and Frank was once again surrounded by many youngsters.

This is a historic picture from the latter part of the 1977/78, showing the re-united Blacks squad with Peter Caruana back at the helm.

While Ghajnsielem Football Club was going through the most difficult period in its history, the 1980's, its best players, including Frank, were abroad, mostly in New York and Toronto. Is there anyone who really doubts that Club history would have been different had these players, and many others, not had to leave Gozo to work abroad? Frank stayed active in football during his years in Toronto and was always fit to play whenever he visited Malta. He virtually indoctrinated all those younger players whose stay in Toronto overlapped his stay in that city--some of whom would go on to render great service to the Club.

Frank returned to Gozo in the early 90's. He was involved in the committee in various capacities including those of treasurer and secretary. In this picture he is seen with the Super One Fair Play Trophy which was awarded to the Club in 1994 ( journalists Victor Camilleri and Laurie Apap had made the presentation). The occasion was a historic one: the inauguration of the new club premises at J.F. de Chambray Street.

One of Frank's first tasks as secretary in the Club's first season at the new premises was to register youth standouts Errol Grima and Jeffrey Grima. He managed to do this at the pre-season get-together organized at Tritons Restaurant Marsalforn on the 1st of September 1994.

Frank is here seen with president Joe Cauchi and Mike Scicluna, leading a tour of the new premises for the benefit of M.F.A. president Dr. Joe Mifsud, G.F.A. president Dr. Chris Said and other senior M.F.A. officials. Frank was always keen on lifting the profile of the Club and occasions such as these were perfect opportunities to do just that.

It was New Year's eve of 1994, the surprising Blacks, who had made it to the final of two season-opening cup competitions, were scheduled to play against Xewkija Tigers in the league. Frank Xuereb was in the dressing room (with his father observing proceedings) completing the team line-up. A win would be a nice way to end a highly eventful year. A 1-0 win was what the Club got.

The occasion is the G.F.A. annual dinner of 1995. Frank Xuereb and Alfio Rapa are seen here holding the Independence Cup and the G.F.A. Cup runners-up trophies. President Joe Cauchi and Mr. Scicluna representing Rothmans Cigarettes, G.F.A. sponsor, are in the centre. To the left are Errol Grima with the trophy for the G.F.A.'s most promising player and Loreto Scicluna, with the the G.F.A. Footballer of the Year trophy--the first time that Ghajnsielem players had been so recognized since Frank's magical year of 1976/77 when he won the media award and Mario Camilleri won the G.F.A. award for Gozo footballer of the year.

Frank and Victor Xerri are here seen flanking a very young Patrick Camilleri, who was signed on loan from Zebbug Rovers in the 1995/96 season. Patrick gained tremendous first team experience playing for the Blacks thanks to Frank's interest in him; in return, Patrick helped Frank in his quest to bring the first honour to Ghajnsielem: the Under/18 championship.

Frank's first experience as a youths team coach ended in triumph, when the Under/18 side, laden with future first team players, romped to the Under/18 championship.

The Under/18 championship decider was anti-climactic as the Blacks' opponents did not show up for the match. The G.F.A. awarded the Blacks a win and the title. The trophy presentation was staged at a later date at the Gozo Stadium. Here Frank is seen sharing in his players' joy.

In the late 1990's the Blacks' first team was finding it tough in a novel league structure. In 1997/98 Ghajnsielem finished fifth in a five-team premier division--virtually squeezed out of the division by extreme cynicism on the part of their opponents. Frank, however, restored the Club's pride by leading virtually the same side that played for the first team, minus two or three veterans, to the Under/21 league championship. This was the first time that Ghajnsielem won this honour. In the championship match they beat Xewkija Tigers 2-0.

The following season, Frank and his Under/21 team repeated the feat by beating Victoria Hotspurs 4-2 in the championship match.

The circle is complete. 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 when 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 2-0 win over Xewkija Tigers on May 1, 2005, the result that finally gave the Blacks their sixth title. 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. Farewell Frank!