Midfielder Paul Fenech, yesterday beat the challenge of fellow nominees Edward Herrera, Gareth Sciberras and Justin Haber to take the MFA Footballer of the Year award in an award giving evening, organised by the Malta Football Association at the MFCC?Ta’ Qali.

Birkirkara FC?coach Paul Zammit was also voted as the best coach this season, after leading his side to the BoV?Premier League title in dramatic fashion, after playing a decider with?Hibernians.

Other Birkirkara player, Rowen Muscat’s goal against Mosta was voted as the best of the season by a public vote.

Otherwise, the awards were venly won by other clubs as Igor Coronado from Floriana FC was voted the best foreigner and Bjorn Kristensen of Hibernians won the Best Young Player of the Year award.

The Birkirkara and Malta internatiional midfielder, Paul Fenech was born on 20 December 1986

Fenech is a Naxxar Lions product, and went on to play for Msida SJ, with whom he spent two years. Fenech made his Premier League debut with the Saints in 2005.

A member of the Under 19 national team, Paul Fenech always looked likely to be one of the most promising midfielders in the domestic game.

Birkirkara FC managed to sign him in June 2007 and he played his first match for the Stripes on 26 August against Hibernians. During that season he made 27 appearances and scored one goal. He also won the FA Trophy with Birkirkara after their win against Hamrun Spartans in the final.

Fenech’s experience chelped him keep his place in the national team, this time at the Under 21 level.

During the 2009/2010 season, Fenech was picked by the then national coach Johnny Buttigieg in the Malta national team and made his international debut agianst Bulgaria in a friendly match which Malta lost 4-1.

During that season Paul Fenech won his first Premier League with 'The Stripes' at the age of 23 as Birkirkara FC?ended as Malta champions.

In the following season, the 2010/2011, Paul Fenech made 23 starts for Birkirkara FC, and missed only five matches through suspension. He managed to score four goals, including his first brace ever with Birkirkara in the win against Hibernians in December 2010.

In the 2012/2013 season, Fenech again won the Premier League with the Stripes, making 37 appearances and scoring two goals. He was instrumental inhis side’s success with his high work rate, determination and fighting spirit which helped him win the prestigious award of the MFA?Footballer of the Year for the first time in his career.

List of Honours   Best Div I Player: Erjon Beu (Lija A) Best Div II Player: Marcio Britto (Zebbug R) Best Div III Player: Timothy Thomas (Senglea A) Best Young Player of the Year: Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians) Best Youth League Player: Llywelyn Cremona (Valletta FC) Best Women League Player: Dorianne Theuma (Mosta) Best Foreign player:?Igor Coronado (Floriana FC) Best Coach:?Paul Zammit (Birkirkara FC) Premier League Best scorer: Hose Armaro Negrin (Rabat?A) Div 1 League Best Scorer: Kooh Sohna (Pieta H) Div II League Best Scorer: Osi Agboebina (St?Georges); Maricio Britto (Zebbug R) Div III?League Best Scorer: Timothy Thomas (Senglea A) Women’s Best Scorer Div I: Ylenia Carabott (Hibernians) Women’s Best Scorer Div II: Rodianne Zerafa (Raiders Luxol) Goal of the Year: Rowen Muscat (Birkirkara) v Mosta MFA?President’s award:?Cottonera United Football Nursery     League fixtures for 2013/14 season   During the awardds event, the draws for the opening day fixture of the BoV?Premier League for the new season were also made. Champiosn Birkirkara FC will start their title defence against Rabat Ajax while the two newly promoted sides, Naxxar Lions and Vittoriosa Stars will play against Floriana FC and Balzan FC respectively on the first day. The full fixtures are: Sliema W-Qormi; Rabat A-Birkirkara FC, Naxxar L-Floriana; Vittoriosa S-Balzan FC; Tarxien R-Hibernians; Valletta FC-Mosta. The 2013/2014 season starts on 17 and 18 August.