Salvu Bonnici – 1934-2015.Salvu Bonnici – 1934-2015.

The Malta Football Association yesterday announced the death of Salvu Bonnici, the former Sliema Wanderers international defender who played over 200 competitive matches for the Blues between 1951 and 1967.

Bonnici, born in Sliema on December 21, 1934, was the youngest of three boys. His twin brothers – Gużi and Michael – also played for Sliema.

During his time with the Wanderers, Bonnici helped the team win five league championships and four times the FA Trophy, along with three Cassar Cup medals, four Scicluna Cup titles, the Testaferrata Cup and the Independence Cup.

Centre-half Bonnici was capped twice by the national team but his greatest moment was when playing a key role for Sliema to seal the quadruple crowns of 1955-56 and 1964-65.

In summer of 1967, Bonnici left the Blues to join Żebbuġ Rangers in the Second Division. He helped his new club win promotion in 1969 before finally deciding to hang up his boots.

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