Bruno's Magpies
Full nameFootball Club Bruno's Magpies
Nickname(s)The Magpies
Founded2013 (2013)
GroundVictoria Stadium, Gibraltar
Capacity5,000
Co-ChairmenLouis Perry
Haig Oundjian
ManagerNathan Rooney
LeagueGibraltar National League
2022–23Championship Group: 3rd
Overall: 3rd
WebsiteClub website

FC Bruno's Magpies, also known as FCB Magpies in UEFA competition, is a football team from Gibraltar. They play in the Gibraltar National League and the Rock Cup.[1]

History

The club was formed in 2013, initially as a group of friends who drank at the Bruno's Bar & Restaurant (a bar in Gibraltar).[2][3][4] In its first two seasons, the club achieved respectable mid-table finishes in the Gibraltar Second Division. Mick Embleton was appointed the first manager of the team and was instrumental in the initial setting up, organising and managing of the squad.

With the introduction of Chestertons, a Gibraltarian real estate agent, as the sponsor in 2015–16, the intent grew more serious, with moves to professionalise the club and establish a fanbase with the introduction of matchday programs and incentives for fans who attended games. The club finished fourth in that season and were the runners-up in the Second Division Cup, losing in extra time to Second Division champions Europa Point.

In October 2016, the club appointed Davie Wilson as manager, who has previously been assistant-manager the Gibraltar national football team and had recently departed Gibraltar Premier Division side Lions.[5] The club enjoyed a dominant start to the campaign, however a faltering winter saw them embroiled in a title race with the resurgent Gibraltar Phoenix. Ending the season in second place, they entered the play-off with Manchester 62, who finished 9th in the 2016–17 Gibraltar Premier Division. However, a 3–1 defeat ensured that The Magpies remained in the Second Division for the following season.

In August 2017, the club announced a new sponsorship deal with GVC Holdings. The side finished 3rd in the league that season, however, in May 2019 they completed a league and cup double, securing the Second Division title while also winning the Second Division Cup. After the season concluded, the club announced that former Watford chairman and British Olympian Haig Oundjian had purchased a stake in the club and become co-chairman with Louis Perry.[6]

The appointment of Nathan Rooney midway through the 2021–22 season saw a significant upturn in Magpies' fortunes in the league, with a 4rd place finish and a first Rock Cup final. The next season, along with an overhaul of the club's image, saw more improvement, with a 3rd place finish and victory in the 2022–23 Rock Cup. However, on 17 May 2023, Rooney announced his departure from the club.[7]

Current squad

First team

As of 31 August 2023.[8][9]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK Gibraltar GIB Christian Lopez
2 DF Brazil BRA André dos Santos
3 DF Gibraltar GIB Joseph Chipolina
4 DF Spain ESP Rubén Díaz
5 DF Mexico MEX Paco Zúñiga (captain)
6 DF Spain ESP Olmo Casado
7 MF Spain ESP Juanje
8 MF Spain ESP Carlos García
9 FW Spain ESP José Giráldez
11 MF Gibraltar GIB Kyle Casciaro (vice-captain)
13 GK Gibraltar GIB Jaylan Hankins (on loan from Lincoln Red Imps)
14 MF Gibraltar GIB Scott Ballantine
15 DF Gibraltar GIB Lee Coombes
16 MF Gibraltar GIB Evan De Haro
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 FW Argentina ARG Seba Díaz
20 FW Gibraltar GIB Rafi Emrani
21 FW Albania ALB Xhelal Terziqi
23 DF Spain ESP Joe
24 DF Gibraltar GIB Evan Busto
30 GK Spain ESP David Zamora
32 DF Gibraltar GIB Kevagn Ronco
33 MF Gibraltar GIB Han Stevens
39 FW Argentina ARG Pibe
44 MF Gibraltar GIB Anthony Hernandez
53 DF Gibraltar GIB Luke Bautista
99 FW Saint Kitts and Nevis SKN Harry Panayiotou
GK England ENG Adam Stevens

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
21 MF Spain ESP José Galán (at Europa)
31 FW Gibraltar GIB Julian Del Rio (at Europa)
No. Pos. Nation Player
77 MF Gibraltar GIB Shay Jones (at Mons Calpe)

Intermediate team

Players registered to play in the Gibraltar Intermediate League. First team players over the age of 23 may sometimes play in games.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF Gibraltar GIB Jay C Alecio
3 DF Gibraltar GIB Adam Golt
4 DF England ENG Jack Horrocks
6 DF Gibraltar GIB Sam Hall
7 FW Gibraltar GIB Fraser Carnegie
8 DF Gibraltar GIB Jamie Milward
9 FW Gibraltar GIB Cameron Carnegie
10 MF Gibraltar GIB Anthony Barcelo
13 GK Gibraltar GIB Gian Del Rio
14 MF Gibraltar GIB Rickie Muscat
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 MF Argentina ARG Ignacio Peralta
19 FW Gibraltar GIB Wesley Martinez
30 GK England ENG Dylan Taylor
53 DF Gibraltar GIB Louis Ghio
77 DF Spain ESP Aaron Levy
DF Gibraltar GIB Jack McInnes
MF Gibraltar GIB Sachin Gupta
FW Gibraltar GIB Nolan Caetano
FW Spain ESP Álvaro Carrasco

Club staff

Position Name
Club Management
Head Coach England Nathan Rooney
Assistant Coach Gibraltar Garry Lowe
Assistant Coach
U23 Coach
Gibraltar Terrence Jolley
U23 Assistant Coach Gibraltar Kai Soithungsuk
Goalkeeper Coach Spain Miguel Ángel Bazán
Fitness Coach Spain Adrián Conde
Sports Therapist Gibraltar Frederick Martin
First Team Doctor Argentina Dr Lorena Soler
Argentina Dr Catalina Fernández Suárez
Kit manager Gibraltar Louis Baldachino
Board
Joint Chairmen England Louis Perry
England Haig Oundjian
Vice-Chairman Gibraltar Aaron Edwards
Financial Director England Mike Nicholls
Director of Football Development Spain Alfonso Cortijo
Director of Football Gibraltar Jansen Dalli
Youth Development Manager Gibraltar Terrence Jolley
Secretary England David Frier

Honours

2022–23
2023
  • GFA Challenge Trophy: 1
2020–21
2018–19

Club achievements

European record

Accurate as of match played 20 July 2023
CompetitionPlayedWonDrewLostGFGAGDWin%
UEFA Europa Conference League 4 1 1 2 4 7 −3 025.00
Total 4 1 1 2 4 7 −3 025.00

Legend: GF = Goals For. GA = Goals Against. GD = Goal Difference.

Season Competition Round Club Home Away Aggregate
2022–23 UEFA Europa Conference League 1Q Northern Ireland Crusaders 2–1 1–3 3–4
2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League 1Q Republic of Ireland Dundalk 0–0 1–3 1–3
Notes
  • 1Q: First qualifying round

References

  1. "Gibraltar Football Association".
  2. "'I paid £500 to start a football team in a pub aged 18 – now we're playing in Europe'".
  3. "From pub team to Europe, Bruno's Magpies soar". rte.ie.
  4. "La historia del Bruno's Magpies: del pub a Europa". as.com.
  5. Magpies appoint Wilson as head coach GibFootballTalk. 8 October 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  6. Oundjian appointed joint-chairman of Bruno's Magpies Football Gibraltar. 31 May 2019. Retrieved 31 May 2019.
  7. Nathan Rooney departs Magpies Bruno's Magpies. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
  8. FC Magpies | Squad UEFA.com. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
  9. First Team Squad Bruno's Magpies. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
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