Eddie Vella, of Msida, writes:

In my early days of football, namely in the late 50s, trying to identify an idol for oneself was next to impossible.

One could hardly ever see players like Pele, Puskas or Di Stefano frequently in action. Nowadays, our young ones can easily pick up their favourite football star and label him as their role model.

Football was mainly played in the streets and in those days I identified Peter Paul Camilleri as a perfect player.

Possessing excellent technical skills, coupled with vision of the game, I would tell myself how much I would like to become as good a player as Pete.

I created a niche for him and made him my ideal footballer. I would watch him pass, shoot, head and cleanly tackle opponents and taking possession of the ball. I was lucky to have played alongside Pete for some time in Gozo FA competitions.

Years went by and from being my idol he became my strongest supporter while playing in Maltese football.

He would express his anger at selectors for dropping me from a pick Malta squad.

He put pen to paper in 1969 when I just missed becoming MFA Footballer of the Year and in a few lines he wrote to me he expressed his wish that I strive hard to receive this prestigious award.

The going was tough and the competition even tougher. However, inspired by Pete's wish, I finally made it in 1974/75.

Pete had withdrawn himself from being my idol after his playing days were over and became my staunchest supporter during my career with Valletta FC and the national team. I feel privileged to have shared his unending friendship.

Pete is no longer with us but I dedicate my career to him. Without his support, I would not have made the grade.