FCB MAGPIES v CRUSADERS | UEFA EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE FIRST QUALIFYING ROUND FIRST LEG | 07.07.22

O F F I C I A L

M A T C H

P R O G R A M M E

O F

F C B

M A G P I E S

2 0 2 2 - 2 3

UEFAEuropaConferenceLeague firstqualifyingroundfirstleg

vCrusaders

07.07.2022|18:00 VictoriaStadium

CLUBDIRECTORY

HISTORYINTHEMAKING

MAGPIES

FROM THE CHAIRMAN

ItiswithhugepleasureandpridethatmyCo-DirectorsandIwelcomeeveryonetotheVictoriaStadiumthisevening.

We bid a warm welcome to Crusaders FC, from Belfast in Northern Ireland, who are our opponents today. I’m sure that both teams will endeavour to make this an exciting and entertaining encounter.

It has been an extraordinary journey for FCB Magpies – originating as a ‘pub’ team out of Bruno’s and now arriving at the doorstep to European football!

In my many decades involved in professional sports and as a former Olympic athlete, now in my ‘senior’ years, I never imagined that I would be engaged with a football club playing in European football, especially a club from Gibraltar. How amazing and unpredictable life can be!

My thanks go out to the tireless commitment of our small executive staff; Jansen Dalli and Aaron Edwards. There has also been huge guidance and professionalism from Dean Holdsworth, plus the many others who have contributed to the preparations for this European adventure.

The founding sponsors of the club are Chestertons and Bruno’s. It’s terrific for them to realise their dream of representing the Gibraltar League in Europe.

30/1 Cornwall’s Lane, PO Box 1404, Gibraltar Company number: 114684 Chairman | Haig Oundjian Vice-Chairman | Aaron Edwards Directors | Haig Oundjian, Louis Perry, Aaron Edwards Director of Football | Jansen Dalli First-Team Manager | Nathan Rooney Assistant Manager | Neil Ross First-Team Coach| Terrence Jolley Goalkeeper Coach | Miguel Angel Bazan Fitness Coach | Adrian Diaz Conde Kit & Equipment Manager | Louis Baldachino Head of Youth | Johnny Thick Youth Coaches | Johnny Thick, Daniel Bent, Leon Thick Safety Officer | Stuart Poggio Supporter Liaison Officer | Dylan Crisp Social Media Officer | Juan Carlos Segura Ponce Club Photographer | Neil Wilson Head of Medical | Dr. Lorena Soler Casale First-Team Doctor | Dr. Catalina Fernandez Suarez Medical and Rehabilitation | Luke Henshaw 02 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

They are joined by our new sponsor, the University of Bolton, underlying our commitment to the pathway of development for all children and young adults, always preserving education.

Today’s special souvenir Match Programme has been produced on behalf of FCB Magpies by APE Publications Gibraltar’s Match Programme Specialists Twitter: @APEPublications

No message would be complete without recognising Nathan Rooney and his exceptional coaching staff. His energy, enthusiasm and professionalism has helped to shape our playing squad – giving them a sense of excitement and renewed passion for the game that we all love so much.

Thanks to all those who are here to support us today. To the Crusaders fans, we hope you enjoy your visit to sunny Gibraltar and will come back again.

Enjoy the game…

HAIG OUNDJIAN Chairman OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 03

FROMTHE

GAFFER NATHAN ROONEY

THETHOUGHTSOFHEADCOACH,NATHANROONEY…

FIRSTLY I would like to welcome everyone to the Victoria stadium this evening to witness our first-ever UEFA Europa Conference League fixture.

I would like to further welcome both sets of fans, as well as Stephen, his staff and all of his playing squad.

Today is an historic day for everyone involved with FCB Magpies and for myself personally.

This amazing journey only started back in January of this year where I embarked on a new life in Gibraltar with an incredible club and an amazing group of players who have continued to impress week in, week out.

As the Head Coach of FCB Magpies I am extremely

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honoured to lead my team out this evening to play in front our family, friends and our loyal fan base who have continued to grow and support us since the turn of the year.

I ask you all to continue to be our 12th man as we embark on our European dream this evening.

Preparations have gone well and you can be sure that the players will go out there and give it absolutely everything they’ve got.

Vamos Bruno’s!

NATHAN ROONEY Head Coach OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 05

FROMTHECAPTAIN PAKO

AFTERALLOFTHEANTICIPATIONANDPREPARATION,HEREWEAREFORTHESTARTOFOURADVENTUREINTHEUEFAEUROPACONFERENCELEAGUE.

This is a huge achievement for everyone involved at the club. We have fought hard to be here and it is an amazing feeling.

All of the effort and sacrifice has paid off.

I am so proud because after two years at this club, all of the support and belief from the Directors and staff to make this club great is paying off.

there and give it everything that we’ve got.

The supporters here at Victoria Stadium today also have a very important role to play. By getting behind us from the start you can help put extra pressure on our opponents and give us the extra push that we need.

We have been training very hard so that we are ready to give a good account of ourselves. Our preparation has been very good and now it will be tested in the two games ahead.

As a group, we cannot wait to get out there and represent this great club on the European stage. It is an honour to be part of creating history and I am extremely proud to be captain of this team.

There is no doubt that we face two very tough and physical encounters. It is important that we are able to go out

Enjoy the game…

FRANCISCO ‘PAKO’ ZUNIGA Captain

...Thereisnodoubtthatwe facetwoverytoughand physicalencounters.Itis importantthatweareable togooutthereandgiveit everythingthatwe’vegot…

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AFORCEFORGOOD CHESTERTONS

IAMSOPROUDTOBEASKEDTOWRITETHESENOTESINTHEMATCHPROGRAMMEOFANOFFICIALUEFAEUROPEANGAME. My pride is increased tenfold by the fact that it is a game involving FCB Magpies, a team I have supported in Gibraltar as an individual and a corporate sponsor for eight years.

My personal shareholder and director involvement ceased three years ago when Haig took control to take the club to a higher plane, however, Chestertons has remained the sponsor of the Magpies since 2014, from pub side to Division Two Champions, and now Rock Cup runners-up and European qualifiers.

As Gibraltar’s largest estate agency, Chestertons undertakes its corporate social responsibilities with enthusiasm and desire. Not only do we contribute to a range of sports clubs (rugby, cricket, netball and hockey as well as football), we seek to support them as well, actively contributing to the furtherance of each club.

As sponsors, we introduced Match Programmes and half-time burgers to the local League in 2016 and helped to create the club atmosphere which has become synonymous with Bruno’s Magpies.

We earn from Gibraltar and we take pleasure in giving back to Gibraltar.

Back to tonight, I welcome clients of Chestertons and supporters of football generally to the match. For those attending for the first time, please come again. For those who have been on this journey with us over the years, we hope you will rejoin us for the 2022-23 season.

We encouraged vocal support, surprising the handful of supporters of many opponents who were used to conditions more associated with a library. Many will remember the nights under the lights shouting “Beast” or singing “Harry’s on fire” as our local heroes climbed Division Two. We used Chestertons’ wide range of social media and marketing to promote football in Gibraltar, encouraging football fans in Gibraltar who had no idea that a local League existed, to come to the stadium and watch live football. We created a fan base, a team of supporters.

Most recently, our voices were heard at the Rock Cup Final as we so nearly defied all the odds to beat Lincoln Red Imps.

And I hope our voices are heard tonight as we push for a visit to Switzerland in the next round.

Despite what we have achieved as a sponsor, it’s those engaged closer to

and on the pitch that have taken the team to this European adventure.

Louis, Haig, Jansen, Aaron and Nathan all deserve a particular mention, but so do the players as well, giving their all, especially in the second half of last season, which ended so positively for the club.

We have renewed our sponsorship for the year ahead and together we hope to better this year’s fourth position.

... Iwelcomeclientsof Chestertonsandsupporters offootballgenerallytothe match.Forthoseattending forthefirsttime,please comeagain. ..

Subscribe to our twice weekly newsletter on Gibraltar’s property and economic matters, the Bitesize Brief chestertons.gi/thebitesizebrief - to stay up-to-date with the Magpies’ European adventure and the fixtures for the season ahead.

And finally to my Northern Irish friends (you know who you are), don’t expect me to be in Gibraltar on the 21st of this month, I’ll be in Basel.

MIKE NICHOLLS CEO, Chestertons OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 09

ANIGHTTOREMEMBER

SOMETHINGSPECIAL

JAMIE COOMBES

JOSE GALAN

Asoneofanumberoflocalplayersinthesquad,JamieCoombes,islookingforwardtobeingpartofanothermemorableoccasionatVictoriaStadium.

Despitealreadyhavingawealthofexperiencebehindhimfollowingalong andsuccessfulcareerinthegame,JoseGalanadmitsthatthereis somethingextraspecialabouthislatestforayintoEuropeancompetition.

The Gibraltar International has played in his fair share of big games here over the years and today will be another to add to the list.

“To be honest I am more excited this time than I was the very first time I played in European competition,” admitted the 36 year-old midfielder. “I have played in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League but this is different because of the journey this club has been on to get here and the fact we are making history.

“As a club we are all extremely excited for our first European game,” said the 26 year-old. “The majority of players have never experienced this before and the idea of us making it into Europe after such a short stint together is a massive achievement.

“This is such a big step for the club; I have started to realise exactly how big as time has gone on and I am extremely proud to be part of it and carry the name of Magpies onto this stage.

“Last season was one of real progress. We played some beautiful football and secured many good results in such a short period in the second phase of the season.

“It is just a shame that we did not get any silverware to show for it having come so close in the Rock Cup Final.

“But we have taken the many positives and have been working very hard to be better tactically and stronger physically in readiness for the challenges that lie ahead, starting today.

“I would like to think that with the work we have done over these previous weeks, we will arrive at our peak for these two tough games.

“I trust my team-mates; the spirit that we have and the hard work, passion and enthusiasm that has been put in by the players, staff and everyone involved with the club.

“There is a strong desire for us to progress into the next round where Basel awaits. I know that we can make it if we are able to keep our standards high and reach the levels that we did last season.

...IhaveplayedintheUEFA ChampionsLeagueandUEFAEuropa Leaguebutthisisdifferent becauseofthejourneythisclub hasbeenontogethereandthe factwearemakinghistoRY...

“We can’t wait to get out onto the pitch and show what we are capable of producing on the big stage.

“For me personally it has been an honour to represent the club over the past season; helping the club create history is something that will always stay with me and hopefully we can create more history over these two games ahead.

“Preparations have gone well. The team has been working hard and giving it our all over these past few weeks so that we are both mentally and physically ready for the challenge ahead.

“These games are going to be fastpaced. We know that our opponents are a well-structured side with plenty of

European experience behind them.

“That said, we are confident in our own ability and have left no stone unturned in our planning for these games.

“As well as this, we know from the Rock Cup Final how good our supporters are.

Hopefully we will get the same energy from them during the 90 minutes ahead and in turn this will help us achieve our goal.

“With everyone pulling in the same direction, we can make this a night to remember for all the right reasons.”

...Preparationshavegone well.Theteamhasbeen workinghardandgivingit ouralloverthesepast fewweekssothatweare bothmentallyand physicallyreadyforthe challengeahead...

“Having the Magpies Army behind us in the stands is also so important. Against Lincoln Red Imps in the Rock Cup Final, the atmosphere from our supporters was beautiful and we need this again today.

“We ask that every football lover in Gibraltar gets behind us and supports us in our quest to progress.

“This is a special moment not only for this club but for the whole of football on the Rock. We will be doing all we can to make everyone proud.”

Galan joined the club at the turn of the year from Valour FC in Canada, but his football journey has also taken in Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Hong Kong, Andorra, Finland, Indonesia, Cyprus, UAE, Austria, Thailand and his homeland of Spain.

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PREPARATIONISKEY

PLAYERSHAVEBEENWORKINGHARDINPREPARATIONFORTHEBIGGAMESAHEAD,STARTINGTODAY.HEREISAGALLERYOFTRAININGIMAGESCOURTESYOFOFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER,NEILWILSON…

PRE-SEASON TRAINING

CONFERENCELEAGUE UEFA EUROPA

WEAREdelightedtobeinvolvedinthe2022/23UEFAEuropaConferenceLeaguecompetitionforthefirst-evertime.Thedrawforthefirstqualifyingroundtookplaceatthe HouseofEuropeanFootballinNyon,Switzerland,lastmonth.JansenDalliandAaronEdwardswereinattendancetorepresenttheclub Saburtalo (GEO) vs Partizani (ALB) Shkëndija (MKD) vs Ararat Yerevan (ARM) Floriana (MLT) vs Petrocub-Hînce ti (MDA)

Pogoń Szczecin (POL) vs KR Reykjavík (ISL) HB Tórshavn (FRO) vs Newtown (WAL) FCB Magpies (GIB) vs Crusaders (NIR) Flora Tallinn (EST) vs SJK Seinäjoki (FIN) Derry City (IRL) vs Riga FC (LVA) The 60 teams involved were divided into six groups of ten teams (groups 1 to 6) in accordance with the club coefficient rankings established at the beginning of the season. Within each of the six groups, the teams were divided into an equal number of seeded and unseeded teams.

The full draw is, as follows: Alashkert (ARM) vs Hamrun Spartans (MLT) Lechia Gdańsk (POL) vs Akademija Pandev (MKD) Inter Turku (FIN) vs Drita (KOS) Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) vs Paide Linnameeskond (EST) Panevezys (LTU) vs Milsami Orhei (MDA) Laçi (ALB) vs Iskra Danilovgrad (MNE) Liepāja (LVA) vs Gjilani (KOS) Sfintul Gheorghe (MDA) vs Mura (SVN) KuPS Kuopio (FIN) vs Dila Gori (GEO) Ružomberok (SVK) vs Kauno Žalgiris (LTU) Budućnost Podgorica (MNE) vs Llapi (KOS) Gzira United (MLT) vs Atlètic Club d'Escaldes (AND) Borac Banja Luka (BIH) vs B36 Tórshavn (FRO) Olimpija Ljubljana (SVN) vs Differdange (LUX) Larne (NIR) vs St Joseph's (GIB) Breidablik (ISL) vs UE Santa Coloma (AND) DAC Dunajská Streda (SVK) vs Cliftonville (NIR) Víkingur (FRO) vs Europa (GIB) Bala Town (WAL) vs Sligo Rovers (IRL) Tre Fiori (SMR) vs Fola Esch (LUX) Dinamo Minsk (BLR) vs Dečić (MNE) SP Tre Penne (SMR) vs Tuzla City (BIH) 14 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Two bowls were prepared, one for the seeded teams (five balls containing slips numbered 1 to 5) and the other for the unseeded teams (five balls containing slips numbered 6 to 10).

A ball was taken from each bowl and placed in an empty bowl, where they were shuffled. One of the two balls was drawn at random, then opened to display the number it contains. The second ball was drawn and opened to complete the pairing.

The result applied to all six groups. For example, if the first ball drawn contained the number 2 and the second the number 8, the clubs that had been assigned the numbers 2 and 8 in each of the six groups would play each other. The first ball drawn, in this example the number 2, designated the home team for the first leg in all six ties.

The same procedure was carried out with the remaining balls to complete the pairings.

Should the aggregate score be level at the end of the second leg, a period of extra-time will be played and then a penalty shoot-out if required to determine who goes through to the second qualifying round.

The draw for this stage of the competition has already been made. There were two draws: Champions Path and Main Path.

Champions Path draw: 13 teams transferring from UEFA Champions League first qualifying round and 3 teams transferring from UEFA Champions League preliminary round In accordance with the club coefficient rankings established at the beginning of the season, the teams were divided into two groups of six and one group of four.

The 13 clubs eliminated from the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League (Champions Path) were seeded for the purposes of this draw.

The three from the preliminary round of the UEFA Champions League were unseeded and divided equally between the three groups.

Group 1 La Fiorita (SMR) vs Ballkani (KOS) / Žalgiris (LTU) Malmö FF (SWE) / Víkingur Reykjavík (ISL) vs The New Saints FC (WAL) / Linfield (NIR) Ludogorets (BUL) / Sutjeska (MNE) vs Bodø/Glimt (NOR) / KÍ (FRO) Group 2 Shamrock Rovers (IRL) / Hibernians (MLT) vs Levadia Tallinn (EST) Diddeleng (LUX) / Tirana (ALB) vs Zrinjski (BIH) / Sheriff (MDA) Lech Poznań (POL) / Qarabağ (AZE) vs Slovan Bratislava (SVK) / Dinamo Batumi (GEO) Group 3 Pyunik (ARM) / CFR Cluj (ROU) vs Inter Club d'Escaldes (AND) Tobol Kostanay (KAZ) / Ferencváros (HUN) vs Shkupi (MKD) / Lincoln Red Imps (GIB) Main path draw: 60 teams entering at this stage - 30 UEFA Europa Conference League first qualifying round winners.

In accordance with the club coefficient rankings, the 90 teams were divided into nine groups of ten teams. If any club in a first qualifying round match has a coefficient that would entitle it to be seeded for the second qualifying round draw, the winner of that match was automatically seeded for the draw.

Kyzylzhar Petropavlovsk (KAZ) vs Osijek (CRO) Liepāja (LVA) / Gjilani (KOS) vs Young Boys (SUI) Rapid Wien (AUT) vs Lechia Gdańsk (POL) / Akademija Pandev (MKD) Flora Tallinn (EST) / Seinäjoki (FIN) vs Lillestrøm (NOR) Group 5 Breidablik (ISL) / Santa Coloma (AND) vs FK Budućnost Podgorica (MNE) / Llapi (KOS) Saint Patrick's Athletic (IRL) vs Sfintul Gheorghe (MDA) / Mura (SVN) Larne (NIR) / St Joseph's (GIB) vs Slavia Praha (CZE) Spartak Trnava (SVK) vs HB Tórshavn (FRO) / Newtown (WAL) Sūduva (LTU) vs Viborg (DEN) Group 6 Víkingur (FRO) / Europa (GIB) vs Dunajská Streda (SVK) / Cliftonville (NIR) Pogoń Szczecin (POL) / KR Reykjavík (ISL) vs Brøndby (DEN) Tre Penne (SMR) / Tuzla City (BIH) vs AZ (NED) Motherwell (SCO) vs Bala Town (WAL) / Sligo Rovers (IRL) Molde (NOR) vs Elfsborg (SWE) Group 7 Koper (SVN) vs Vaduz (LIE) Borac Banja Luka (BIH) / B36 Tórshavn (FRO) vs Tre Fiori (SMR) / Fola Esch (LUX) Ružomberok (SVK) / Kauno Žalgiris (LTU) vs Derry City (IRL) / Riga (LVA) Basel (SUI) vs Magpies (GIB) / Crusaders (NIR) Royal Antwerp (BEL) vs Inter Turku (FIN) / Drita (KOS)

Group 1 Gzira United (MLT) / Atlètic Club d'Escaldes (AND) vs Radnicki (SRB) Gomel (BLR) vs Aris Thessaloniki (GRE) Botev Plovdiv (BUL) vs APOEL (CYP) Fehérvár (HUN) vs Gabala (AZE) stanbul Başakşehir (TUR) vs Maccabi Netanya (ISR)

Group 8 Floriana (MLT) / Petrocub-Hincesti (MDA) vs Laçi (ALB) / Iskra Danilovgrad (MNE) Racing FC Union Luxembourg (LUX) vs Čukarički (SRB) Levski Sofia (BUL) vs PAOK (GRE) Vitória SC (POR) vs Puskás Akadémia (HUN) Rijeka (CRO) vs Djurgårdens (SWE)

Group 2 Aris Limassol (CYP) vs Neftçi (AZE) Velež (BIH) vs Alashkert (ARM) / Hamrun Spartans (MLT) Saburtalo (GEO) / Partizani (ALB) vs FCSB (ROU) CSKA-Sofia (BUL) vs Makedonija GP Skopje (MKD) Hapoel Beer-Sheva (ISR) vs Dinamo Minsk (BLR) / Dečić (MNE)

Group 9 AIK (SWE) vs Vorskla Poltava (UKR) Valmiera (LVA) vs Shkëndija (MKD) / Ararat Yerevan (ARM) Raków Czestochowa (POL) vs Astana (KAZ) KuPS Kuopio (FIN) / Dila Gori (GEO) vs Panevezys (LTU) / Milsami Orhei (MDA) Sparta Praha (CZE) vs Viking (NOR)

Group 3 PFC Zire (AZE) vs Maccabi Tel-Aviv (ISR) Vllaznia (ALB) vs Universitatea Craiova (ROU) Ararat-Armenia (ARM) vs Dinamo Tbilisi (GEO) / Paide Linnameeskond (EST) Kairat Almaty (KAZ) vs Kisvarda (HUN) BATE Borisov (BLR) vs Konyaspor (TUR)

Ties take place on 21 and 28 July, with extra-time and a penalty shoot-out if required after the second leg. Winners advance to the UEFA Europa Conference League third qualifying round.

Group 4 Sepsi OSK Sfantu Gheorghe (ROU) vs NK Olimpija Ljubljana (SVN) / Differdange (LUX)

The schedule for the qualifying rounds is, as follows: First qualifying round: 7 & 14 July Second qualifying round: 21 & 28 July Third qualifying round: 4 & 11 August 2022 Play-offs: 18 & 25 August 2022 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 15

OURHOME

BRUNO’S BAR & RESTAURANT BRUNO’SISMUCHMORETHANJUSTABARORARESTAURANT;IT’SADESTINATIONFORCELEBRATIONANDENJOYMENT.

Thanks to our large and imaginative layout, we also hold spectacular events of all kinds. Corporate events, weddings, parties, anniversaries, baptisms and birthdays can all be catered for in splendid style.

We believe that it’s the people at Bruno’s that make for a great time, our staff and our customers.

OPENING HOURS Set in contemporary and comfortable surroundings overlooking Marina Bay, Bruno’s boasts the best in fresh seasonal food, drinks for every occasion and eclectic ambience.

Chill out with a cocktail on our deck, watch the action at one of our famous theme nights, or enjoy the simple pleasure of good food, drink and conversation in our restaurant.

Bruno’s is open 7 days a week from 11.00am until late. We’re here for your late morning coffee to those Saturday night Vodka Martinis and everything else in between.

Our menus have been created with socialising in mind, so you can graze on our starters, sharing platters or snacks, fill up on one of our big eats or simply sip away on our 2-4-1 cocktails to your

heart’s content! On Sunday’s we serve our famous Sunday Roast, but make sure you book your table in advance!

WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY

We like to think that our bar and restaurant in Gibraltar is THE PLACE TO BE! But don’t just take our word for it, check out our reviews on Trip Advisor.

At Bruno’s we are constantly striving to be the best and customer feedback is important to us, so if you do pay us a visit please review us too.

We congratulate FCB Magpies on their fantastic achievements – we’re proud to be part of history in the making.

BRUNO'S BAR & RESTAURANT, TRADEWINDS, GIBRALTAR T: (+350) 200 68444 E: brunosgib@gmail.com

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THE STORY OF FCB MAGPIES

TEENAGE DREAMS

THESTORYoftheclubbeganwhenLouisPerrytoucheddowninGibraltarasafresh-facedandenthusiastic18year-oldadecadeago.

He headed to the Rock soon after his grandparents had acquired Bruno’s Bar. It was the start of an exciting new chapter in his young life.

Playing football had been his passion throughout his teenage years and it was important that this continued to form part of his new life in the sunshine.

With options limited, his frustration at the lack of opportunities led him to forming his own team. His grandparents provided the sponsorship and their customers provided the nucleus of the team and coaching staff.

Bruno’s Magpies FC was born. Mick Embleton was installed as our first manager and it was through his influence as a die-hard Newcastle United supporter that the ‘Magpies’ part of our name was added.

Entering the Gibraltar League in the second tier, the football landscape on the Rock was set to change beyond recognition with UEFA membership granted soon after our formation and with it came the chance for clubs to qualify for European competition.

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But for this particular newly-formed club, consolidation was the name of the game in those first seasons; to create an environment where football could be played and enjoyed.

...Wehadtobeableto walkbeforewecouldrun, butwithstandards improvinggenerally withinallaspectsofthe gameinGibraltarthrough theUEFAinvolvement,we simplyhadtoevolveand movewiththetimes...

We had to be able to walk before we could run, but with standards improving generally within all aspects of the game in Gibraltar through the UEFA involvement, we simply had to evolve and move with the times.

Additional sponsorship came from Chestertons, well-respected local estate agents, and it was through this link that former Watford Chairman, Haig Oundjian, became involved as minority stakeholder and co-chairman.

It meant that we were able to oversee steady progression both on and off-thefield. Having secured our place in the top-flight as second division champions,

the platform was there for us to continue building a club, not just a team.

A lot of work went into marketing and promotion in order to build a fan base and create a matchday experience, whilst the whole operation was made more professional in order to be able to compete at the right end of the table with the likes of Sporting Director, Jansen Dalli, and Secretary/Legal Expert, Aaron Edwards, coming on board as well as talented players from far and wide.

It all means that we are now considered to be one of the strongest and best run clubs in Gibraltar. Reaching the Rock Cup Final last season, allied to our highest-ever finish of fourth, and now embarking upon our first-ever European adventure is the start of an exciting new chapter for us and we look forward to what the future holds in store on the back of this.

We currently have six youth teams affiliated to us as well as a futsal team and an Under-23 side plus a highlyregarded Head Coach at the helm of the senior team in Nathan Rooney who has worked wonders since arriving at the turn of 2022. It is fair to say that our story is a romantic one. We have fought hard to get to where we are today and the passion is strong to continue growing and creating more history.

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BURSTING

THE ROCK CUP

WITHPRIDE

It was fantastic to see the club take to the stage for the Rock Cup Final in May as we locked horns with Lincoln Red Imps.

As a club we were honoured to be involved in the occasion and we played our part in an entertaining and keenly-fought game.

Having taken the lead on the stroke of half-time, we battled hard to maintain our advantage until the closing minutes when our opponents scored two quick-fire goals to take the Cup from our grasp.

Despite the disappointing finish, it was a proud moment in our history and it has only whetted our appetite for more occasions like this.

Official Club Photographer, Neil Wilson, was on hand to capture some fantastic images.

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finish in the top three of the table for the first time in a decade.

The club also won their first Irish Cup Final since 1968 and as a result they were back in European competition for the first time in 12 years as they faced Macedonian side FK Rabotnički in the Europa League second qualifying round, ultimately losing 5-3 on aggregate.

PHILIPLOWERY

A switch from a grass pitch to a 4G surface came in 2009 and two years later they finished runners-up as well as being beaten finalists in the Irish Cup.

GETTINGTOKNOW

CRUSADERS ON THE ROCK TONIGHT

The club was founded in 1898. They are based in North Belfast, Northern Ireland, and were originally a junior level team up until 1921. They then played intermediate level football until 1949, where they became one of the top non-senior teams in their country.

They were elected to the top level at the start of the 1949-50 season and since then the club has gone on to win 28 senior trophies, including seven League titles, four Irish Cups, two League Cups, eight County Antrim Shields, one Setanta Sports Cup, two Gold Cups, three Ulster Cups and one Carlsberg Cup. It was the 1960s that brought much success for the club and also saw them make their first foray into European football as they took on Valencia CF in 1967. In 1973 they made their first-ever appearance in the European Cup where they were well beaten by Dinamo Bucharest.

Having won the League for a second time in 1975-76, it led to a never-to-be-forgotten European Cup tie with Liverpool which saw them lose the first leg 2-0 at Anfield before putting in a spirited display in front of a packed house for the second leg.

Performances on the pitch during the 1980s can best be described as steady rather than spectacular. They lifted the

22 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

Gold Cup for the first time in 1985-86 but there was little else to shout about.

With the club at a low ebb, local businessmen, Harry Corry and Tony O’Connell, became involved with much-needed sponsorship and things began to take off for them again.

There were two further championship titles won (in 1995 and 1997) whilst they also finished runners-up in 1993 (losing the title on goal difference) and 1996. Other trophies won were the County Antrim Shield (1992), Ulster Cup (1993) and Gold Cup (1996).

This in turn meant more expeditions into Europe as they took on teams from Switzerland, Denmark, Lithuania and Georgia within a five-year span. The team of the 1990s is regarded as one of the best in the history of the club.

Sadly a lack of funds saw another decline at the turn of the Millennium as the club battled in the lower reaches of the table and they eventually succumbed in 2005 with relegation for the first time and the end of 56 consecutive seasons of senior football.

They were able to bounce straight back under the guidance of Stephen Baxter and at the end of 2008-09 they were able to

It led to an appearance in the 2011-12 UEFA Europa League and a second qualifying round tie with Fulham, which ended in an aggregate defeat. That same season they won the Irish League Cup, and they also became Champions of Ireland for the first time, after defeating Derry City in the 2012 Setanta Cup Final.

contracts are discussed and talked about in five minutes between us.

“It makes it so easy when you work with really good people and I have that at board level.

The 2014–15 season was groundbreaking for the club. The season started with them earning their first win in European competition for 18 years, defeating FK Ekranas of Lithuania in the UEFA Europa League, 3–1 at home. In the return leg, they earned their firstever away victory in Europe, winning 2–1. They were to fall at the second qualifying round hurdle to Swedish side, IF Brommapojkarna, but they saved their best performances for the League where they roared to the title.

“When you have a strong board with good structures behind them and know the ethos of the club and what they are looking for, it makes my job easy and when I know what they want and the type of establishment we are trying to build here it's great so I am delighted to get it done.”

The new deal means that Baxter will pass the 1,000-mark in terms of games in charge of the club.

They retained the title for the first time in their history in 2015-16 and then secured another title in 2017-18, as the race for top spot went down to the last day of the season.

Since then they have had to be content with two fourth place finishes, a third place and a sixth-place, but in the 20192020 UEFA Europa League qualifiers, they beat FC Torshavn 5–2 on aggregate to reach the second qualifying round where they faced Wolverhampton Wanderers in what was their last taste of European football prior to today.

We welcome everyone connected to our visitors. We hope that you enjoy your brief stay in Gibraltar before having a safe journey home afterwards.

STERLINGSERVICE

This summer has seen manager, Stephen Baxter, sign a new contract at the club that will take him through to the end of the 2024-25 season and in doing so make it an amazing 20 years at the helm.

“The club is in a good position and going forward we have some exciting plans,” Baxter told his club’s website. “My relationship with the club over a long period of time has been so easy and

“Things like that don't honestly interest me,” he added. “It's nice when they come around and the records will show that, but I don't sit and think about it day to day.

“There is so much to get on with in football and that is the day to day; we are building towards a new season and being ready for Europe, that’s what has been on my mind recently.

“So the records will speak for themselves and whatever milestones we hit it will be nice to look back on in a few years’ time but for now we are heads down, work incredibly hard to make sure we stay competitive and keep taking the club forward.”

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 23

FACTS&FIGURES THE STORY OF 2021-22

MATCHDAY 1 | Europa Point – WON 5-0 MATCHDAY 2 | Europa – LOST 3-1 MATCHDAY 3 | Lynx – LOST 1-0

MATCHDAY 4 | Lions Gibraltar – WON 3-2 MATCHDAY 5 | Glacis United – LOST 3-2

MATCHDAY 7 | Mons Calpe SC – WON 1-0 MATCHDAY 8 | Europa – LOST 3-1

MATCHDAY 9 | Lincoln Red Imps – LOST 4-2 MATCHDAY 10 | St. Joseph’s – WON 3-1

MATCHDAY 6 | Mons Calpe SC – DREW 1-1

CHAMPIONSHIPGROUP|FINALTABLE2021-22

MATCHDAY 8 | Lincoln Red Imps – LOST 5-0

Lincoln Red Imps

MATCHDAY 7 | St. Joseph’s – DREW 0-0

MATCHDAY 9 | Manchester 62 – WON 4-0

MATCHDAY 10 | College 1975 – WON 2-0

CHAMPIONSHIPGROUP

MATCHDAY 1 | v Glacis United – WON 3-0

MATCHDAY 2 | v Mons Calpe SC – WON 3-0

Team

P

W D

Europa

20 15 2

St. Joseph's

20 11 2

7

Glacis United

20 7

12 -4 22

FCB Magpies Mons Calpe SC

20 10 3 20 6

1 2

ROCKCUP

MATCHDAY 5 | St. Joseph’s – WON 1-0

MATCHDAY 2 | Europa – WON 3-1

MATCHDAY 6 | Glacis United – WON 3-0

GD PTS

0

MATCHDAY 3 | Europa – DREW 1-1

MATCHDAY 4 | Lincoln Red Imps – LOST 1-0

L

20 19 1

3 7

48 58 36 47

18 35

11 33

12 -2 20

MATCHDAY 1 | Europa Point – WON 3-0 FINAL | Lincoln Red Imps – LOST 2-1 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 25

PARTINGSHOT

TOGETHER WE ARE CREATING HISTORY...

IMAGE | Neil Wilson

26 OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME

OFFICIAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME 27

FCB MAGPIES

PLD SUB

CRUSADERS

HEAD COACH: NATHAN ROONEY COLOURS : BLACK & WHITE

PLD SUB

1 MATTHEW SILVA

2 BILLY JOE BURNS 3 CHRIS HEGARTY

2 IBRAHIM AYEW

4 JOSHUA ROBINSON

3 LEE COOMBES

4 RUBEN DIAZ

5 FRANCISCO JAVIER ZUNIGA GIL 6 OLMO GONZALEZ CASADO 7 JEREMY LOPEZ

6 ROBBIE WEIR

7 PHILIP LOWRY

8 BEN KENNEDY 9 ADAM LECKY 10 DEAN EBBE

8 JAMIE COOMBES

9 KELVIN MORGAN

10 FRANCISCO JAVIER CASARES GARCIA 11 KYLE CASCIARO

11 BRANDON DOYLE

14 JORDAN FORSYTHE

15 JARLATH O'ROURKE 17 LEWIS PATTERSON

13 DAVID ZAMORA

18 JORDAN OWENS

16 RENAN BERNADES

19 JUDE WINCHESTER

17 DYLAN PEACOCK 19 DANIEL BENT

21 JOSE PEDROSA GALAN

27 EMMANUEL OCRAN

32 KEVAGN RONCO

20 DANIEL LARMOUR 21 GARY THOMPSON 22 PAUL HEATLEY

23 RORY MCKEOWN 25 ROSS CLARKE

33 ALAN PARKER 39 PIBE

HEAD COACH: STEPHEN BAXTER COLOURS : RED & BLACK

27 JONATHAN MCMURRAY

77 OLATUNDE BAYODE

33 JONATHAN TUFFEY (GK) 36 MCKENZIE PAULEY(GK) 41 RYAN KERR (GK) 43 LEWIS BARR

TONIGHT’S MATCHOFFICIALS: REFEREE HELGI MIKAEL JÓNASSON (ISL)

ASSISTANT EGILL GUDVARDUR GUDLAUGSSON (ISL) ASSISTANT KRISTJAN MAR OLAFS (ISL) FOURTH OFFICIAL JOHANN INGI JONSSON (ISL)