2011 Annual Report
by Ayrton Galea - 2nd January 2012
2011 is over and we are going to present you a detailed roundup of all the events that happened throughout this year.
In this year there were several defining moments such as the change of the Club's official logo, and a change in most of the committee members. Probably, amongst all the events of 2011, the biggest highlights were the retirement of the Birkirkara's top scorer Michael Galea and the decision not renew the contract of Mr. Paul Zammit, and the eventual re-employment of the same Mr. Paul Zammit.
January
Agreement with BetClic
On the 6 January, Birkirkara held a press conference at the Club's premises to announce its new sponsor, the betting company - BetClic.
New Signings
In this month, Birkirkara made two signings as first on the 19 January, they signed Brazilian-Lithuanian striker Rodolfo Kumbrevicius and one day later, on the 20 January, Birkirkara signed the International defender Andrei Agius.
Players loaned out
Birkirkara loaned two players in this month as they first loaned out Thomas Paris to Floriana on the 19 January and then, on the 21 January, Birkirkara Nursery product Alan Tabone was loaned out to Vittoriosa. Both players were loaned out until the end of the season.
Players released
On the 4 January, Birkirkara released Brazilian goalkeeper Esequiel Lovizon while on Friday 28 January Scottish defender Ryan Harding was also released. Both releases were agreed upon amicably and mutually, to serve the interest of both parties.
February
Ibrahim Babatunde joins Birkirkara
The 26 year old Nigerian striker joined Birkirkara on Thursday, 3 February to be the second foreigner to sign for Birkirkara in two weeks time after Rodolfo Kumbrevicius was also signed by our Club.
March
Birkirkara Football Club's Badge
On 2 March, Birkirkara issued a press release that the Club will change the badge to the one as laid down in the statute, with an immediate effect. This decision had been confirmed in the Previous Annual General meeting.
April
Birkirkara, no longer champions
On Sunday, 17 April, Birkirkara were ousted as Champions as Valletta beat Marsaxlokk with a narrow lead to become champions mathematically.
May
Committee members resign
Mr. Joe Abela as Technical Advisor, and Mr. Joe B Grech as Team Manager resigned from their position.
Foreigners released
On Thursday, 19 May, Four out of five foreigners namely Michael Fraser, Nikola Vukanac, Ibrahim Babatunde and Rodolfo Kumbrevicius were released by Birkirkara F.C. Emiliano Lattes was the only foreigner not released till then.
Coaches not offered new contract
On the same day as well, In probably the 2011's most controversial decision, Mr. Paul Zammit was not offered a new contract. The same decision also applied to his assistant Mr. Branko Nisevic.
New Coach appointed
On Saturday, 21 May, Birkirkara appointed the new Head Coach that was the former Marsaxlokk's Head Coach Mr. Patrick Curmi.
Birkirkara awarded for most honours in the last decade
On Thursday, 26 May, During the Go Malta Football Awards Birkirkara F.C. was presented with a special award for being the team which has won the most honours in the last decade which consists of no less than fifteen honours.
June
New committee
On the Thursday, 9 June, the Annual General Meeting was held at the Club's premises and a new committee was elected. Two days later, in the first committee meeting, the roles of the committee were decided as the following:
Mr. Joe Zammit - President, Mr. Adrian Delia - Vice President, Mr. Ivan Muscat - Secretary, Mr. Jason Deguara - Assistant Secretary, Mr. Charles Micallef - Treasurer, Mr. Ivan Mizzi - Assistant Treasurer, Mr. Adrian Delia - MFA Council Member, Mr. Manuel Bezzina - MFA Club Delegate, Mr. Peter Busutill - Assistant MFA Club Delegate, Mr. Carmelo Calleja - Club Director, Mr. John Borg - UEFA Club Delegate
Other Members: Mr. Joe Pisani, Mr. Joseph Licari, Mr. Martin Borg, Mr. Mario Gatt,
Mr. Peter Calleja
New signings
In this month Birkirkara made no less than seven new signings, with probably the most notable acquisition being that of the international midfielder Gareth Sciberras. The following are all the signings for Birkirkara in this month:
17 June - Leighton Grech - 5 Years
18 June - Jorge Mora - 1 Year
20 June - Terence Vella - 5 Years
20 June - Marcis Savinovs - 1 Year
20 June - David Da Silva - 1 Year
20 June - Antonio Gomes - 1 Year
28 June - Gareth Sciberras - 3 Years
Birkirkara's captain stopped playing for Birkirkara FC
In one of the highlights of 2011, on the 18 June, Michael Galea decided to stop playing for Birkirkara F.C. after fourteen seasons. Throughout these fourteen seasons, Michael made 334 appearances and in his career and he managed to score no less than 177 goals. He is the 3rd best scorer ever in Maltese football, after Stefan Sultana and Gilbert Agius.
New 2011-2012 Season kicks off!
On Monday, 20 June, Birkirkara kicked off another season in their involvements in the Euro Cup with a goal-less draw against Floriana.
New Goalkeepers' Coach
On Wednesday, 22 June, Mr. Roderick Agius agreed terms with our club to be the Goalkeepers' Coach of our Club. In the last three years he had the same position with the Mqabba Youth Nursery
New Assistant Coach
After Mr. Branko Nisevic was not offered a new contract, on Saturday, 25 June, Mr. Peter Pullicino was appointed as the new Birkirkara FC Assistant Coach.
Emiliano Lattes released
The only foreigner left from the previous season was also released as Emiliano Lattes was released on the Tuesday, 28 June.
Contrac's renewal
Joseph Zerafa was the first player to renew his contract as he agreed to sign another three years contract with our Club on Tuesday, 28 June.
On the same day, Paul Fenech renewed his contract with our Club for another four years.
Players parts way with Birkirkara FC
On Tuesday, 30 June, two players moved to other clubs. First Thomas Paris moved to Floriana and then Karl Pulo moved to Tarxien Rainbows.
July
New signing
On Thursday, 28 July, Birkirkara continued to strengthen the squad thanks to the signing of the Brazilian Rodrigo Pereira who agreed terms with our club for one year.
Luke Montebello joins AS Livorno
In the highlight of the month, promising youngster and product of Birkirkara FC; Luke Montebello joined Livorno Youth Academy, in the region of Tuscany as on Thursday, 28 July he signed a two year deal with Livorno Youth Academy.
August
August was an important month for Birkirkara as 'The Stripes' began their involvements in the new Premier League.
Players loaned out
Birkirkara loaned out three players in this month as first loaned out Patrick Borg to Marsaxlokk on Monday, 1 August, the next day youngster Andreas Galea joined First Division Side St. Patrick's on loan and Andrew Scicluna was loaned out to Mqabba on Tuesday, 16 August. All players were loaned out until the end of the season.
New signings
Birkirkara FC strengthened its squad with another two acquisitions. On Tuesday, 2 August, they agreed terms with the Spanish striker Moises Avila Perez on a 1 year deal.
The other acquisition was Shola Shodiya who joined Birkirkara on Saturday, 20 August. His move was quite controversial as he had been training with other clubs before Birkirkara FC finally clinched a deal with him.
Premier League kicks off
On Friday, 19 August, Birkirkara played their first match of the Premier League when they defeated Qormi with a 2-0 score.
Michael Galea loaned out
After Michael Galea's decision to stop playing for Birkirkara, he expressed his wish to return to his first club, and on 27 August he was loaned out to Melita.
Jacopo Camilli released
Italian striker Jacopo Camilli was released by Birkirkara FC on Monday 29 August. The release was agreed upon amicably and mutually, to serve the interest of both parties.
September
Shola Shodiya's International Transfer Certificate.
After Shola Shodiya joined Birkirkara FC, his debut had to be put on hold for a number of weeks till the Club regularised his registration with he MFA. The registration with MFA was finalised on Friday, 23 September.
Mr. Patrick Curmi parts way with Birkirkara F.C.
After Birkirkara were going through a negative run, Mr. Patrick Curmi parted ways with Birkirkara F.C. on Wednesday, 28 September.
October
Mr. Paul Zammit appointed Head Coach once again
On the 2 October, in a meeting with the members on the Club's premises, it was announced that Mr. Paul Zammit was appointed Head Coach once again.
New Acquisitions
Birkirkara made two acquisitions in this month. First, Serb defender Dragan Perisic joined Birkirkara FC. Then Serb goalkeeper Alexandar Canovic, also joined our Club.
November
Birkirkara FC lodge protest
On Tuesday, 6 November, Birkirkara FC lodged a protest with the MFA over the match against Tarxien FC where 'The Stripes' were defeated with a 3-2 score. The protest was based on a technical fault when in the 66th minute there were two balls on the pitch. On the 29 November, the Protests Board within the MFA decided not to uphold the protest by Birkirkara and therefore the 3-2 result was to stand.
Birkirkara FC in Mc Happy Day
On Friday, 19 November, the Birkirkara FC players and technical staff took part in the Mc Happy Day, a day with the main aim being to raising funds for The Community Chest Fund. The Birkirkara FC players helped by serving behind the counter, and by taking part in other activities.
December
John Buttigieg and Carmel Busutill to head Birkirkara Academy
On Saturday, 17 December, John Buttigieg and Carmel Busutill were appointed to head the Birkirkara FC Academy, after they agreed terms with our Club. The official launch of the academy is on June 2012 but they started their work with immediate effect in this transition period.
Players released
In this month Birkirkara released two foreigners namely Spanish goalkeeper Jorge Mora, after he asked for the termination of his contract due to personal reasons and Rodrigo Pereira who failed to meet expectations.
comments powered by Disqus
