Jesmond Zerafa
Encyclopedia
Jesmond Zerafa was a professional footballer and manager of the Maltese Premier League
side Valletta F.C.
During his career, he played primarily as a striker.
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 Brazil
ian 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. 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.
Maltese Premier League
The Maltese Premier League, known as BOV Premier League for sponsorship reasons , is the top level league for football in Malta. The league was first competed in 1909...
side Valletta F.C.
Valletta F.C.
Valletta Football Club is a Maltese football club based in Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Valletta F.C. has the strongest support on the island...
During his career, he played primarily as a striker.
Qormi
Zerafa joined the Maltese First DivisionMaltese First Division
The Maltese First Division is the second-highest division in Maltese football, behind the Maltese Premier League and above the Maltese Second Division. The league has been running for many years.12 teams take part in the league...
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
Mosta F.C.
Mosta Football Club are a Maltese football club from the second largest city in Malta of Mosta, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League.-History:...
, a decider was necessary to determine which team would earn promotion to the Maltese Premier League
Maltese Premier League
The Maltese Premier League, known as BOV Premier League for sponsorship reasons , is the top level league for football in Malta. The league was first competed in 1909...
. 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
Maltese Premier League
The Maltese Premier League, known as BOV Premier League for sponsorship reasons , is the top level league for football in Malta. The league was first competed in 1909...
. The season long loan of Sliema Wanderers
Sliema Wanderers F.C.
Sliema Wanderers Football Club are a Maltese football team from the town of Sliema, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League.-History:The club was founded in 1909...
midfielder Joseph Farrugia was renewed for another season. The club also added Massimo Grima
Massimo Grima
Massimo Grima is a professional footballer currently playing for Maltese Premier League side Ħamrun Spartans, where he plays as a defensive midfielder...
and Keith Fenech, who joined from Valletta
Valletta F.C.
Valletta Football Club is a Maltese football club based in Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Valletta F.C. has the strongest support on the island...
on season long loan deals, as did Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk F.C.
Marsaxlokk Football Club is a Maltese football club from the town of Marsaxlokk, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League. The club was founded in 1949...
duo Reuben Gauci
Reuben Gauci
Reuben Gauci is a professional footballer currently playing with Maltese Premier League side Marsaxlokk, where he plays as a goalkeeper.-External links:* *...
and Shawn Tellus. The club also made the permanent signings of Chucks Nwoko
Chucks Nwoko
Afraik Kaejtan "Chucks" Nwoko is a Maltese former footballer who played at both professional and international levels as a midfielder. Nwoko is currently the under-19 coach for Maltese First Division side Balzan Youths.-Playing career:...
from Sliema Wanderers
Sliema Wanderers F.C.
Sliema Wanderers Football Club are a Maltese football team from the town of Sliema, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League.-History:The club was founded in 1909...
and Roderick Sammut from Birkirkara
Birkirkara F.C.
Birkirkara Football Club is a Maltese football club from the town of Birkirkara, the largest town on the island of Malta. In the 2009–2010 season, they were the Maltese champions. The club currently plays in the Maltese Premier League and have been league winners on three occasions...
. Qormi spent the best part of the season languishing above the relegation zone, Zerafa added to the ranks with the signing of Marsaxlokk
Marsaxlokk F.C.
Marsaxlokk Football Club is a Maltese football club from the town of Marsaxlokk, which currently plays in the Maltese Premier League. The club was founded in 1949...
defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
Stephen Wellman. The gamble paid off for Jesmond, as Qormi retained the Maltese Premier League
Maltese Premier League
The Maltese Premier League, known as BOV Premier League for sponsorship reasons , is the top level league for football in Malta. The league was first competed in 1909...
status after finishing in 7th position.
Jesmond led Qormi into the 2009–10
2009–10 Maltese Premier League
The Maltese Premier League 2009–10 was the 95th season of the Maltese Premier League, the top-tier football league in Malta. Hibernians were the defending champions. The season began on 21 August 2009 and ended on 5 May 2010...
season, again making some shrewd acquisitions along the way, Joseph Farrugia’s loan move was made permanent, and again Valletta
Valletta F.C.
Valletta Football Club is a Maltese football club based in Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Valletta F.C. has the strongest support on the island...
duo Massimo Grima
Massimo Grima
Massimo Grima is a professional footballer currently playing for Maltese Premier League side Ħamrun Spartans, where he plays as a defensive midfielder...
and Keith Fenech’s season long loan deals were extended for another season. Zerafa also signed Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
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. 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
Valletta F.C.
Valletta Football Club is a Maltese football club based in Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Valletta F.C. has the strongest support on the island...
for the 2010–11
2010–11 Maltese Premier League
The 2010–11 Maltese Premier League is the 96th season of the Maltese Premier League, the top-tier football league in Malta. It began in August 2010 and will end in May 2011. Birkirkara are the defending champions, having won their third title last season....
season.