- Jesmond Zerafa
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Jesmond Zerafa Personal information Full name Jesmond Zerafa Date of birth 3 August 1965 Place of birth Malta Playing position Striker (retired) Club information Current club Valletta F.C. Senior career* Years Team Apps† (Gls)† Valletta Birkirkara Luxol National team‡ 1989–???? Malta 21 (1) Teams managed 2010 Tarxien Rainbows 2007–2010 Qormi 2010– Valletta * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20 February 2010.
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 20 February 2010Jesmond Zerafa (born 3 August 1965 in Malta) was a professional footballer and manager of the Maltese Premier League side Valletta F.C. During his career, he played primarily as a striker.
Contents
Manager career
Qormi
Zerafa joined the Maltese First Division side Qormi in the summer of 2007. The move was an instant success, as he led the club to a 3rd place finish in the Maltese First Division. However, as the club had finished equal on points with 2nd placed Mosta, a decider was necessary to determine which team would earn promotion to the Maltese Premier League. Qormi came out on top, beating Mosta on penalties.
The 2008–09 season saw Zerafa make a major reshuffle in the Qormi playing staff, opting to go for experience, with the hope of remaining in the Maltese Premier League. The season long loan of Sliema Wanderers midfielder Joseph Farrugia was renewed for another season. The club also added Massimo Grima and Keith Fenech, who joined from Valletta on season long loan deals, as did Marsaxlokk duo Reuben Gauci and Shawn Tellus. The club also made the permanent signings of Chucks Nwoko from Sliema Wanderers and Roderick Sammut from Birkirkara. Qormi spent the best part of the season languishing above the relegation zone, Zerafa added to the ranks with the signing of Marsaxlokk defender Stephen Wellman. The gamble paid off for Jesmond, as Qormi retained the Maltese Premier League status after finishing in 7th position.
Jesmond led Qormi into the 2009–10 season, again making some shrewd acquisitions along the way, Joseph Farrugia’s loan move was made permanent, and again Valletta duo Massimo Grima and Keith Fenech’s season long loan deals were extended for another season. Zerafa also signed Brazilian striker Camilo, Qormi were the surprise package of the season, exceeding expectations and even sitting top the division for some of the season. Jesmond’s reign came to an end on 28 April 2010, when the club decided to release Zerafa following a breakdown in contract negations.[1] Jesmond was rumored to not be willing to commit himself on a new contract for next season, and it is rumored that he will join his former club Valletta for the 2010–11 season.
Valletta F.C.
On the 29 May 2010 he signed a deal with Valletta F.C., to become the teams new manager.
References
- ^ "Qormi, Jesmond Zerafa part company". MaltaFootball.com. 2010-04-28. http://www.maltafootball.com/2010/04/28/jesmond-zerafa-quits-qormi/. Retrieved 2010-04-28.
External links
Valletta F.C. – current squad Categories:- Living people
- 1965 births
- Maltese footballers
- Malta international footballers
- Association football forwards
- Valletta F.C. players
- Maltese football managers
- Qormi F.C. managers
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