Anthony Portelli
Anthony Portelli (Baggio) was born on the 4th June 1981. His love affair with football started early when at 9 years he was introduced into the Under 13 team under the guidance of Coach Joe Portelli. Other coaches, like Carmel Falzon and Francis X. Azzopardi continued to work on Anthonys footballing talent till the age of 14.
At that stage he joined the Under 16 team. Here, according to him, he met the coach that influenced most his career, Michael Portelli, who accidentally is his cousin. In those 2 seasons 1995-1996 and 1996-1997, the Under 16 team, of which Anthony formed an integral part, won the Championship twice. In both these season Anthony finished top-scorer and in the season 1996-1997 he was voted as the GFA Under 16 Player of the Year.
At the age of 16, Anthony made his debut for the Nadur Youngsters first team on the 27th September in the match against Sannat Lions, in the quarterfinals of the GFA Cup, under Coach Karl Zachhau. His first goal in a white jersey came on the 1st of May 1998 against Victoria Hotspurs when he beat the late Reno Portelli. Tony first real taste of success came in the season 1998-1999 when he helped the Whites winning the Championship. Under the guidance of coach Teddy Bajada, he continued to grow into the player we know today.
The biggest disappointment so far, Anthony recall, came during the season 2000-2001. And if there is a match that he definitely wants to forget that should be the Championship Decider against Xewkija Tigers. At the age of 19, Anthony had to carry all the weight of Nadurs attacking force. The tigers went 2-0 up after only 15 minutes. Anthony got 1 back and Mohamed Bugreen equalized. Xewkija went 4-2 up again, and Charlie Attards goal kept Nadur hoping. It was Xewkija that won that match and thus were declared Champions.
Nadur Youngsters won the League Title again in the 2001-2002 season, and Anthony Portelli was their prolific scorer, together with another Anthony, this time Evi Parker. This was Anthonys 2nd title. During the same season, Nadur also won the Under 21 League Title for the first time in their history. Anthony Portelli was captain of this team and was voted as the GFA Player of the Year for that category. He was also a player for the Gozo FC team competing in the MFA leagues for some years.
The season 2002-2003 was another good season, for Nadur won the title again and Anthony was getting his 3rd championship medal. He finished the season as Nadurs top scorer and was unlucky when he had to leave the pitch early during the match against Qala St. Joseph, already relegated, thus missing the chance of finishing Gozos top scorer. That season Anthony formed part of what he considered Nadur Youngsters best ever front line. Around him were players of calibre like Edouardo do Nascimento (Bizu), Emmanuel Muscat, Chris Camilleri and Joseph Portelli Said. Anthony considers these players as the envy of every club. One of the most memorable matches in Anthonys mind was the one against Ghajnsielem. This was played on the 9th of February 2003 and the Youngsters won with an Anthony Portellis goal, a victory that practically secured the Championship for Nadur.
For the 2003-2004 season, Anthony formed part of the Youngsters committee as Secretary (for 4 months). He was asked to occupy this position by his Boss, Joseph Portelli Said, and the Youngsters President at that time. Anthonys 10 goals helped the Youngsters finishing runners-up in the league.
Anthonys worst season came in the 2004-2005. Every player goes through a bad patch, and he recons this was his season. Many thought that this natural talent has met his end. It was not to be and he answered his critics in the next season.
Newly elected Youngsters President, Eucharist Camilleri, was the turning point, as he showed his faith in Anthony by giving him the role of Club Captain for the first time during the season 2005-2006. This was the stimulation Tony wanted as he had a great season. Anthony is very grateful to Eucharist and could not find enough worlds to Thank him. The Youngsters won the championship for the 8th time and Tonys 4th. On a personal term, the Gozo F.A. awarded Anthony with the Gozitan Player of the Year Award. Also during this season Anthony overtook Tony Borg in the All Time Top Scorer list of Nadur youngsters when on the 19th of February 2006 he scored against Xaghra United for his 62nd Goal. Since then, he added another 7 for a total of 69 goals for Nadur Youngsters. According to Tony, this was his most memorable season, against all odds.
When asked, which was the greatest goal he scored in his career, his answer was The next one. He still has a lot to give to football and we wish him more honours for himself and Nadur Youngsters.
