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Michael Camilleri PDF Print E-mail
Monday, 15 October 2007 10:43
 

 

MICHAEL CAMILLERI

Michael Camilleri, better known among the Nadur fans and most of the Gozo football enthusiasts as Kelielu, was born on March 8, 1948. He got his first experiences of playing football on the streets of Nadur. As a young boy, Michael played for the Nadur Primary School where his teacher, Peter Paul Camilleri, immediately noticed his talents. Peter Paul, at that time, was a player, captain and coach of Nadur Youngsters F.C. Soon, Mr. P. P. Camilleri became his mentor and inspired him to play football.

On April 15, 1962, the 14-year-old schoolboy, Michael, made his debut for Nadur Youngsters First team against Għajnsielem, a league match won by the Youngsters by 2 goals to 1 (the goals for Nadur were scored by Joe Camilleri Cassar and Peter Paul Vella).
Michael played 4 seasons for Nadur clubs, one for Young Boys and three for Nadur youngsters. He played 35 games for the Whites and scored 21 goals. With Nadur Youngsters, he won the ESSO Cup and the Galea Cup. Michael also played for Xewkija Tigers and Għajnsielem F. C. As a regular guest player with the latter team, Michael was instrumental in Għajnsielem winning the Second division Championship. Michael formed part of the Victoria Hotspurs team that won the first Independence Cup and played for the Gozo XI.
At the age of 18, Michael followed the trend of most of the Gozitan youngsters and left Gozo to try for a better life in the United States of America. In New York he soon found hi way to football and in 1967 he played for the Maltese Falcons F. C. In 1968, 1969 and 1970 he played for the Sons of Malta F. C. With this team, he won the 1968 Nickerbocker Cup and the E.D.S.L. (Eastern Division Soccer League) Mayor Division Championship of New York State. Michael finished also the Best Striker and Top Scorer during the three consecutive years with the Sons of Malta F. C.
In 1970, Kelielu gave up football and moved to Long Island, away from the Maltese Community around New York City to raise a family. He and his wife had two daughters. His love for football never died. His daughters followed his footsteps into football and in the 1980’s joined a soccer league, the Long Island Junior League. When Michael’s past was known he was convinced to coach the team. The Long Island Junior League (boys and girls) won the Lynderhurst local Tournament.
One of Kelielu’s fondest memories is with Nadur Youngsters. During the 1973-74 season, while in Nadur on holiday from New York, the committee of Nadur Youngsters of asked Michael to play for their team in the decisive match against S. K. Calypsians. Nadur were in real danger of relegation. Michael decided to play even though he had retired from football. Nadur won the match (21.04.74) 2-1, with Michael scoring the winning goal; Joe Borg scored the other.
Another good memory of Michael is while playing for Għajnsielem F. C. in the 1965-66 season. Għajnsielem played against Sannat Lions (28.02.1966) and won the match 6-1, with Kelielu scoring four of them, thus Ghajnsielem won the 2nd Division title.
Michael Camilleri retired from his job of 35 years in New York and is now enjoying his life at Nadur. He still loves the game of football; in fact, one can still see him playing with the Old Boys. He still actively follows Nadur Youngsters. After all those years in his adopted country, USA, it comes to no surprise that Michael likes American football, Baseball and Ice Hockey.