mcfc malta newsletter 01

8/13/2019 MCFC Malta Newsletter 01

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Malta City Blues

Our Link with the City supporters in Malta

MCFC OSC Cactus Bar Malta

Message from the Chairman

It is my honour and privilege to

write these few words to address all

our members in this very first news-

letter addressed to Manchester City

Supporters in Malta.

The setting up of the club three

years ago was indeed a dream come

true. Many believed that there

were just a handful of Manchester

City supporters in Malta. Through

the setting up of the Malta Branch

we have proved otherwise. It is

therefore my duty to thank all the

founding members of the club who

came together with the scope of

making this happen. Special thanks

also go to the honorary Chairman,

Ms. Carmen Young, who has been

of support from inception.

Three years of work wherein the

club has achieved a lot. The scope

of being a member to a supporters

club is not only the sense of belong-

ing but also that of doing something

meaningful. It is therefore with

pride that I say that our members,

through their participation in thevarious events over the past three

years donated over 5,000 to our

chosen charity Puttinu Cares.This, I

believe is a milestone that we

should all be proud of.

On the football side I believe that

we have as well managed to make

some remarkable achievements. All

Manchester City televised games

were shown at the Cactus Bar, and

you have been able to transform

the watching a game into an ex-

perience ofjoyand support.

We also pride ourselves in being

one of the few overseas supporters

clubs who were able to bring over

the Barclays Premier League Tro-

phy, the same one that Vincent

Kompany lifted on the 13th

May

2012. We did it and did it in style.

This was not enough! Along with

the trophy we had the legend him-

self Paul Lake. Paul has been in-credible and he has definitely added

value to this event.

We have also made inroads in the

local media; TV breakfast shows

with the Barclays Premier League

trophy on display, other appear-

ances by club committee members

on various TV and radio shows,

newspaper coverage of our events

etc

We must not forget that we even

got coverage in the UK. We were

mentioned in a Sunday newspaper

article, mentioned in and partici-

pated via a phone call on a BBC ra-

dio program. Above all we also fea-

tured twice in the match day pro-

gram. In fact our supporters club

featured on the match day program

of the 13th

May 2012, the day when

City played QPR and won the

league. Definitely a collectors item!

Looking ahead we want to achieve

more. We therefore look forward toyour participation so that with eve-

ryones ideas and effort we con-

tinue to make success of this club.

All the above has been achieved

with your support and the dedica-

tion and work of all past and pre-

sent committee members. I cannot

but thank you all!!

Yours truly,

Paul Sammut

Chairman,

MCFC OSC Cactus Bar Malta

1

August 2013

Volume 1, Issue 1


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COME AND WATCH THE MANCHESTER CITY GAMES AT THE CACTUS. GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO WIN

SOME CITY MEMORABILIA:

BOOKS, MUGS, TANKARDS AND EVEN THE NEW CITY HOME KIT.

ABOVE ALL COME AND ENJOY YOURSELVES IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.

REMEMBER, LAST YEAR WE BROUGHT THE PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY AS WELL AS PAUL LAKE.

WITH YOUR SUPPORT WE CAN DO MORE.

Now The Cactus

Bar and its large

band of City sup-

porters is known

throughout our

supporters club

from Ancoats to

Yeovil and Abu

Dhabi to Vancou-

ver.

Kevin Parker, the General Secretary of the MCFC Supporters ClubKevin Parker, the General Secretary of the MCFC Supporters ClubKevin Parker, the General Secretary of the MCFC Supporters Club

sends his message to the supporters in Maltasends his message to the supporters in Maltasends his message to the supporters in Malta

Ihave the undoubtedhonour to say a few

words in the inaugural

Malta MCFC Supporters Club News-

letter.

Malta is an Island that has always

been close to my heart since I vis-

ited there 3 times during the mid

1980s and stayed in St Pauls Bay.

The friendliness of the residents was

second to none and along with thefantastic weather and beauty of the

landscape made it such a special

place.

What did strike me, of course, back

then was the lack of City Supporters

on the Island and too many Red

shirts from both Manchester United

and Liverpool. You are always hope-

ful of course that things can change

but the transformation from then to

now is almost like the change at Cityfrom pre to post Sheikh Mansour.

Now The Cactus Bar and its large

band of City supporters is known

throughout our supporters club

from Ancoats to Yeovil and Abu

Dhabi to Vancouver. The visit of The

Premier League Trophy ably accom-

panied by City Legend Paul Lake was

testimony enough that Malta hadarrived on the Supporters Club

scene and are here to stay.

I have seen the interest that the

branch you tube postings have

generated and the celebrations

after the

Agueroooooooooooooooooooo

moment still send a chill down my

spine.

I do hope, of course, to get back to

Malta one day soon to meet Babz,Paul and all those who have helped

the branch get where it is today.

I also need to say a special hello to

Tony Paris who has held the sup-

porters club membership card num-

ber 0001 for many years and was, at

times, a lone voice on the Island. No

longer though Tony!!

I hope as many of you as possible

can get over to The UK to see City

play but I know even those who

cant will still be cheering loudenough for us to hear all the way

over here.

CTWD

Kevin Parker

2


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Q & A with BIG JOE CORRIGANQ & A with BIG JOE CORRIGANQ & A with BIG JOE CORRIGAN

You are considered as one of Citys

legends. How does it feel to be a

true blue legend?

It is nice to be recognised as one of

the best City keepers but I think the

word legend should only apply to

those who have either won trophies

or have served the Club for a long

time. Being talked about in the same

breath as Frank Swift and Bert

Trautmann is a fantastic honour and

I really appreciate the comments.

You have spent seventeen years at

Manchester City. Your name to-

gether with that of Bert Trautman

definitely stands out as one of the

greatest goalies that City ever had.

Many a time people associate suc-

cess to those who put their names

on the score sheet. Yet as a goal-

keeper your name is remembered

quite fondly. Your commentsplease.

I always remember talking to Bert

Trautmann and he told me that the

Club did not appreciate (not taking

anything away from the other play-

ers who played for the Club), the

fact that the three Keepers men-

tioned in the question above, were

not given their true value to the

future of Manchester City, as with-

out their performances week in

week out, the club could have been

in more trouble.

You have won important trophies

at Manchester City. What was the

driving force that the squad had in

those days?

In those days you didn't need to be

driven, you wanted to play, you

wanted to win, not only for the

team but also for the Club, the Fans

and the main fact, for yourself. Ialways wanted to be the best and

that drove me to try and get better

and better. Unfortunately this ethos

doesn't always apply in todays

game, but with managers like Joe

Mercer, Tony Book, John Bond,

alongside coaches like Malcolm Alli-

son, Bill Taylor Ian McFarlane, John

Sainty they motivated you to get

even better.

Which strikers did you fear most in

your seventeen year career at City?

All strikers, there were many quality

players in my era, Jimmy Greaves,

Denis Law, Joe Royle to name but a

few, all to be feared as you knew

you would be tested to the limit.

If you had to name three determin-

ing saves whilst playing for City

which would these be and why?

The most important save for me was

one I made at home against Coven-

try City in about 1975/6 as I was just

getting back into the side and I

saved a free kick which seemed to

turn the fans around, as I had been

going through a really tough time

and this seemed to settle me and

them down. The second was against

Q.P.R. at home around 1978/9.

David Webb headed a ball from a

corner and I was able to save it tomy right side, this was one of the

best 0-0 games I ever played in it

should have been 6-6 but Myself

and Phil Parkes the Q.P.R. keeper

were brilliant that day even if I have

to say it myself.

Continued on page 4

3

In those days you didn't

need to be driven, you

wanted to play, you

wanted to win, not only

for the team but also for

the Club, the Fans andthe main fact, for your-

self.


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More from Big Joe Corrigan

In your time you were considered as one of the best

goalkeepers in England. Some people say that whilst

the game has evolved, the goalkeeper's job has re-

mained as it was. Do you agree?

Yes the game has evolved mainly for the good and I

have to say that keepers have had to evolve too, as

the back pass rule changed keeping into another level.

Now keepers have to be really good kickers as well as

being able to make saves and with the ball they use

now it has become more difficult to catch the ball but I

wish that keepers would try to do this more as if the

ball is in you hands the opposition cannot score and

you then are now on the attack.

Yet again today City has the best goalkeeper in Eng-

land. Do you believe that this is one of the pillars forfuture success?

All good teams need a good keeper, good central de-

fenders, good central midfield and good strikers.

13 May 2013 93:20, Agueroooo...... Your thoughts,

comments, emotions... tell us more

I cannot describe the emotions of that day, I was with

Tommy Booth watching the game and he went inside,

saying he couldn't watch the remaining 3 mins. as he

said that we scored the 2nd goal and even then no

one could believe it was going to happen. It did and no

one will ever forget that moment.

What are your views for the upcoming PremierLeague and Champions League? Do you see City as

contenders?

I think this season will be close. It will be very interest-

ing with all the changes which have gone on and with

the top teams also. Will be looking forward to see how

things go on especially at the start of the season, as

there are a few interesting games coming up early on.

Finally, your message to the Manchester City fans in

Malta.

To thank all the Malta supporters for all their commit-

ment and support to Manchester City and as always

look forward to meeting them when they come over

to visit. Maybe one day we maybe invited to come

over to Malta for a visit and to meet all our friend over

there. I would like to thank you all and hope that you

will continue to support the only TEAM in Manchester.

Joe Corrigan

4

Meet Paul Bennett

You grew up in Manchester and

you chose the proper colour. You

chose Blue. Can you tell us more

about your choice?

To tell you the truth i really had no

choice in the matter as all my family

where blue through and through. So

my dad took me to as many

games as he could home

and away. The first ever

game I watched was the

1970 European Cup and I

was only 6 years old at the

time. After that I washooked.

You have been a regular at

Maine Road. Can you share

with us some insights as to

the atmosphere that there

used to be at Maine Road?

As a boy I grew up going to watch

City in the Mighty Kippaxwhich was

all standing at the time and the

atmosphere was electric. I really

hope they bring back standing again

as the atmosphere has never been

as good in the all seater stadiums.

You have definitely watched some

brilliant games at Maine Road.

Which game would you say was the

best ever that you have seen atMaine Road?

My best ever game at Main Road

would have to be the game against

Manchester Utd when we beat

them 5-1, because we had such a

young team at the time and the


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...if I have to choose itwould have to be the PremierLeague title because of howit happened. LoooL.

result was such a shock to them.

Which player from that era was your favorite and

why?

I was very lucky to have seen Colin Bell before his bad

injury. Colin Bell it is.

You moved to Malta and together with others you

were instrumental in setting up the Manchester City

supporters club. How do you find the Maltese sup-

porters? Do you see the same passion and love for

the club?

For me the setting up of the MCFC OSC in Malta was

so exciting because we didnt now how many City fans

lived in Malta. We soon found out there was and how

passionate they are. They love the club; I must say I

have made some very good friends.

Dennis Law back heel goal sending united in 2nd divi-

sion, City winning 1-6 at Old Trafford, Aguero's mas-

terpiece of a goal @ 93:20 giving the Premier League

title to Manchester City. Which one is your favorite?

Loved them all, but if I have to choose it would have to

be the Premier League title because of how it hap-

pened. LoooL.

What are your thoughts about the coming season?

Premier League and Champions League.

Not too sure yet as we have a new manager and some

new players to fit into the team. We will see, CTID.

Paul Bennett

5

As a boy I grew up going to watch City in the

Mighty Kippax which was all standing at the

time and the atmosphere was electric.


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Manchester City Fixtures for the month of September

Date Time Home/Away

Playing

Against

14 September

2013 16:00hrs Away Stoke City

17/18-Sep-13 20:30hrsChampions League Group Stage,

Matchday One

22 September

2013 17:00hrs Home

Manchester

United

28 September

2013 16:00hrs Away Aston Villa

COME AND WATCH THE MANCHESTER CITY GAMES AT THE CACTUS.COME AND WATCH THE MANCHESTER CITY GAMES AT THE CACTUS.COME AND WATCH THE MANCHESTER CITY GAMES AT THE CACTUS.

GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO WIN SOME CITY MEMORGREAT OPPORTUNITY TO WIN SOME CITY MEMORGREAT OPPORTUNITY TO WIN SOME CITY MEMORABILIA:ABILIA:ABILIA:

BOOKS, MUGS, TANKARDBOOKS, MUGS, TANKARDBOOKS, MUGS, TANKARDS AND EVEN THE NEW CITY HOME KIT.S AND EVEN THE NEW CITY HOME KIT.S AND EVEN THE NEW CITY HOME KIT.

ABOVE ALL COME AND ENJOY YOURSELVES IN AABOVE ALL COME AND ENJOY YOURSELVES IN AABOVE ALL COME AND ENJOY YOURSELVES IN A

FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.

REMEMBER, LAST YEARREMEMBER, LAST YEARREMEMBER, LAST YEAR WE BROUGHT THE PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHYWE BROUGHT THE PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHYWE BROUGHT THE PREMIER LEAGUE TROPHY

AS WELL AS PAUL LAKEAS WELL AS PAUL LAKEAS WELL AS PAUL LAKE...

WITH YOUR SUPPORT WWITH YOUR SUPPORT WWITH YOUR SUPPORT WE CAN DO MORE.E CAN DO MORE.E CAN DO MORE.

DO NOT FORGET TO PAY YOUR MEMBERSHIPDO NOT FORGET TO PAY YOUR MEMBERSHIPDO NOT FORGET TO PAY YOUR MEMBERSHIP

We want to hear more from you. Contact us onWe want to hear more from you. Contact us onWe want to hear more from you. Contact us on

[email protected] or call 99463273 / 79707754.. Send us [email protected] or call 99463273 / 79707754.. Send us [email protected] or call 99463273 / 79707754.. Send us yourManchester City photos. Tell us more about a recent game that youManchester City photos. Tell us more about a recent game that youManchester City photos. Tell us more about a recent game that you

have been to.have been to.have been to.


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From the photo album.From the photo album.From the photo album.

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