The 2006/2007 edition of the Football Year Book is out, just one week after it was scheduled despite the death of the editor Lewis Portelli last September.

Thanks to his wife, Giusa, and the encouragement of members of the family and his main contributor Benny Pace the book was finalised and printed.

It is an extraordinary edition – a 20-year celebration, as the first edition was published in season 1986/1987. It is also extraordinary for the reason that the editor, Lewis Portelli, managed to finish this annual except for the final touches, just before his sudden demise.

The Malta Football Year Book has a substantial increase of pages to record the many activities of the Malta Football Association during season 2005/2006: a coverage from the Premiership competitions to the youth sections.

Highlight of the international season 2005/2006 covering also Malta’s participation in the UEFA competitions and in the Qualifying Round World Cup 2006.

As usual interesting features and useful statistics covering the local competitions, in the international sphere are included. A brief report confirms the steady progress being made in the activities organized by the Gozo Football Association.

To enhance the 20th edition of this publication, the covers of all the previous editions are illustrated in a colour supplement appearing in the centre pages of this annual.

During the presentation of the Malta Football Year Book, yesterday morning and St Aloysius College Sports Complex, Giusa Portelli on behalf of her late husband, Lewis Portelli thanked Dr Joe Mifsud, president of the MFA, the main collaborator Benny Pace and the other members of the panel Chris Cassar (Division 1), Joseph Bajada (football in Gozo), Mario Axiaq (reserves junior competitions) and photographer Domenic Aquilina, all the sponsors and the Progress Press.

“It will be my last year as editor. After 20 years, I feel that I must make way for someone else to take over the baton,” wrote Lewis Portelli in his editorial.

This became true, due to his untimely passing away to a better life on 7 September.

Addressing the press yesterday, Mrs Portelli said her late husband Lewis had always prepared seriously to print this book. “It was his baby. It took him a great number of months to go through it. After his demise, I thought of nothing, though later, together with Benny Pace and the other contributors, we decided to go ahead with the publication. It was our duty not to let him down,” she said.

Mrs Portelli is glad now that the publication of the book is complete. “I am sure it will find its place in the local bookshelves of the football enthusiasts,” she added.

MFA President Dr Joseph Mifsud said he was grateful to all those who collaborated to produce the book even after Lewis Portelli’s demise. Dr Mifsud said this was a useful book and urged everyone to make an effort and continue where Lewis Portelli had left off. “It would be a pity if such a useful book had to be stopped,” he added.

The Football Year Book is selling at a very reasonable price from the usual outlets.