The Birkirkara Courier
Boardroom28 Aug 2028
Birkirkara part company with Luca Debono
The statement thanked him for his efforts and wished him well, in that order and in about that many words. The search begins immediately.
Market28 Aug 2028
Alessandro Coppola turns Zabbar St. Patrick down
“It was not right for me. I am not going to explain why to anybody except the people I owe an explanation to.” A deal agreed between two clubs, and a player who declined to be part of it.
Player ratings28 Aug 2028
Adam Magri Overend was unplayable
Successful dribbles: 34. He went past people as if he had been told there was a prize for it, and by the end the full-back had stopped pretending to try.
Boardroom28 Aug 2028
Alfred Gatt steps up at Birkirkara for now
“Somebody picks the team on Saturday. This week it is me, and that is as far as I have thought.” No promises were made in either direction, which is how these usually begin.
Market28 Aug 2028
Mpho Manare hands in a written request
“I have nothing bad to say about this place. I just need to be somewhere else.” It is in writing now, which changes what Birkirkara can pretend not to have heard.
Player ratings28 Aug 2028
A defender's goal wins it for Birkirkara — 7.84
1 for Alessandro Coppola, marked 7.84, and a centre-half's name in the part of the report he normally only reaches by mistake. He will not be allowed to forget it in the dressing room for a month.
Squad28 Aug 2028
Tempers go at Birkirkara
Zach Muscat was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Boardroom28 Aug 2028
5 academy graduates step up at Birkirkara
Senior shirt numbers handed to boys the coaches have known since they were twelve. Most will not make it and all of them have already done the hard part.
Market28 Aug 2028
Patrick Formosa steps up from the Birkirkara academy
There is no fee, no unveiling and no agent on the steps. Patrick Formosa has been at this club since he was a boy and is now, formally, one of the first-team squad — which for a local readership beats any signing of any size.
In brief
- Market Godwin Pace steps up from the Birkirkara academy
- Squad Words at Birkirkara training over how hard people work
- Boardroom Birkirkara pay $3.2K to end Luca Debono's contract