Ray Vella was born on 11 January, 1959. He is the son of Nazzareno Vella and Karmena nee Camilleri. Ray is married to Mariella Vella.
Vella started recalling his early days on this planet. ‘In those years it was football all around. But I remember the episode which made me turn my attention more to this game. I happened to pass the Entrance Exam to the Lyceum but due to my age since I was part of the younger crop I was not admitted. So that repeater year drove me crazy and I concentrated more on football. We used to play in a field near us in Marsa. It was either 5 or 7 a-side. But it was Ronnie Attard who spotted me and convinced me to start attending Ċentru Sportiv Marsa.’
Theoretically Twanny Rocco was the first person who introduced ‘Il-Mundu’ to the game of football. ‘Yes I was still a young kid and Twanny asked me if I was interested in joining a team that he was forming. And two years later I went to Ċentru and stayed there. In all honesty I don’t regret it since these were four fantastic years. But our childhood during those times was much more different from today. School and football and nothing else.’
‘I registered with Marsa as a sixteen-year-old. At that time it was a lifetime registration. At Marsa we were a team which juggled between the First and Second Division, so we were not an established top side club. I was dealing with Hibernians and Floriana but the latter had just suffered relegation so I wasn’t interested any more. Soon came Mario Carabott who is my wife’s uncle and asked me if I was interested in joining Hamrun Spartans. I answered in the affirmative but obviously only if the club accepted. A supporters meeting was held and they decided to let me go.’
It was August of 1985, when Vella was transferred to Hamrun for a record sum of Lm8,000, equivalent to €19,000. At Hamrun, il-Mundu was an instant hit. ‘It was big money at that time but this meant that the pressure on my shoulders was higher. Hamrun was a team who had just won the league so their expectations were very high. I had Alfred Azzopardi who helped me a lot during my first months at the club and even we were room mates with the national team. At that time we had the best players in circulation topped up with two good foreigners. But following my first year I won the league in season 1985/86 and followed with honours till the last year. The seven years with Hamrun were just fantastic.’
Vella won 14 major honours with Hamrun, which included three championship medals and three FA Trophy successes. But which match stands out for Il-Mundu? ‘A lot of supporters mention the 2-1 victory over Valletta when they had won the league and we beat them in the last match in which I scored the winning goal five minutes from time. But there were other memorable matches which I can recall. The league won at the expense of Rabat was my first so it brings back great memories.’
On 23 May, 1984 Vella played his first game for Malta against Sweden. This was the beginning of a successful career with the national team which he represented 67 times. ‘My first call was when I was still a Marsa player. I made it to the national team thanks to Gencho Dobrev. In fact months before I felt a little bit offended since I was called with the Under 21 team for a match against the Italian Military Team. It was me and Gerald Camilleri ‘Id-Dajdu’ who were called from Marsa and also six players from the national team amongst others. The national coach didn’t make use of us. We felt that this was the chance to experiment and calling us for a match of this kind and not making use of us didn’t make much sense. But that’s history now and when Dobrev came I was still adamant not to go but I was finally convinced in doing so and I don’t regret it.’
A lot of critics are of the opinion that Ray Vella is the all-time best local player. ‘I always left judgement for the people. Giving everything was always my aim. But the match plan was always built around me. And I was always responsible for my position. So it could be that’s why I was not that much adventurous. This role was given to me by Dobrev and I was very close to him since we used to talk a lot.’
Does Vella regret that he never played abroad at the highlest level? ‘When I had my injury I went over to Germany and I could see the difference. Even as a recovery everything is professional. It’s much different from us. So yes that would have been a dream. In fact when I was still young following a tournament which involved Ireland and Austria amongst others the National A Team had just been battered by Austria to the tune of 9 goals to nil. So for them we were the laughing stock. Off to the tourament and we held them to a 1-1 draw. My performances caught the eye of the Irish who wanted me to go over there but when I told mum she was of a different idea and so that was it.’
But which is the most memorable match for Vella with the National Team. ‘ I think when we played Belgium in February 1994. It was a great effort by my team mates who gave me a fitting testimonial, winning by a 1-0 scoreline. But there were other matches. The 2-2 against Portugal, the 1-0 win against Estonia, the matches against Italy. All are nostalgic matches which I still recall with great pride.’
Does Ray think that the 80s and 90s national team had brought a bunch of great players together? ‘We fitted well but yes apart from the great work done by Dobrev there was talent. There were so much good players that it’s difficult to remember and mention them all. But I always say that for the national team to have a good result we must have nine players playing well during the entire match.’
After the spell with Hamrun, Vella was transferred to St Andrew’s in bizarre circumstances. ‘ I always liked Victor Tedesco though we finished on a rather sour note. In fact Hamrun were facing difficult financial times. A person had approached me to join Luxol. I told him that if Hamrun agreed it was fine for me. And it seemed that they agreed. But it transpired that when things changed at Hamrun they wanted me to stay but I didn’t accept since I had given them my word that I would go. There I played in a libero position and stayed till season 1995/96 when I retired following the amalgamation with Birkirkara Luxol.’
Turning our attention to the present situation of local football Vella had this to say. ‘Foreigners have made a difference in the local football scene. But I also think that as a level there were more great foreign players. Deanov, Paris, Miller to mention a few. But yes I think that improvement has been made and also facilities are much better.’
Il-Mundu gave us an insight of the coaches that he played under and whom he thinks was the best. ‘All had their good ideas and tactics. After the 12-1 debacle against Spain the morale was very low. So Dobrev practically started from scratch. He did a great job. But we must not forget other coaches such as Pippo Psaila, Horst Heese and Pietro Ghedin. On a personal note apart from the coaches that I played for both with club and country and whom I learnt a lot from, of particular influence on my career were Twanny Rocco and Fr Hilary. These are the people whom I owe so much to.’
Vella won the Footballer of the Year twice in 1987 and 1991. And after retiring he coached Xewkija Tigers for a short span and was Mgarr’s Women Team Coach for six years. But what is he doing now. Does he still follow football? ‘Yes of course I do. But Covid has prevented me from being at the Stadium. But yes I watch on TV not only local but also foreign football. And although I don’t have a favourite team I prefer English Football for the aggressive way in which they play.’
And what about Hamrun having won the league after a lengthy period. ‘I felt nostalgic about it. I was just sorry how it finished since they couldn’t celebrate. And the Hamrun people have got a unique style how to do it. From there I learnt that the supporters are always there for the team. Even in difficult times they never abandoned the ship. Now things seem much better and with Joe Portelli at the helm the future looks bright. But they need consistency.’
Turning our focus onto more personal things Ray mentioned his favourite food and travel destination. ‘I love rabbit. It’s something that I like eating a lot. And as regards travelling I prefer Italy since it is a beautiful country from North to South.’
Any particular hobbies for Ray? ‘Before I used to play snooker but now nothing. It’s me and my best friend, my dog. We go for long walks and it’s my sense of relaxation. And as regards time on my hands I watch football on TV and spend time on my computer.’
Finally Ray expressed his thoughts about the future of football in Malta and also sent a message to the young crop. ‘Devis Mangia is doing a great job here in Malta. Even his tactical plan . But we have to work more on the physical aspect. Even recent results showed that although we had good results the last three matches sent us back to the drawing board. So yes we must work harder, invest more in the grassroots and restructure the clubs set up.’
‘If they want to better their career they have no excuses. The most important thing is that they learn from their mistakes. Football has changed today, you can make it as your career. You can earn a living. But committment, determination and self confidence are a must in order to move forward and succeed.’