Ex-national team kit manager ‘Busby’ Gauci dies

Karmenu Gauci, the former Malta Football Association national team kit manager, passed away yesterday at his residence in Qrendi.

Gauci, 63, had retired from the Malta FA post in 2007 after several years of sterling service following his first involvement with the national team way back in the 1980s.

At first, il-Busby, as Gauci was affectionately known in local football circles, was an assistant to another amiable and dedicated kit manager at Ta’ Qali – Joseph Schembri (it-Tripolin).

When the late Schembri retired in 1992, Gauci took over respon-sibilities on his own and his first international match in his new role was in December that same year when Malta hosted Italy in a World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium.

Along with former Malta FA president Joe Mifsud, Gauci was the main drive behind his hometown football team Qrendi FC for several years before his involvement with the national team.

When he retired, Qrendi FC acknowledged Gauci’s useful contribution to the club by ap-pointing him honorary president for life.

The funeral mass will be held in Qrendi tomorrow at 4 p.m.