Portelli steps down as Nadur president, co-opted in Spartans committee

Joseph Portelli has decided to step down as Nadur Youngsters president and has been co-opted in the Ħamrun Spartans committee.

Portelli has been at the helm for two spells between 2002 and 2004 as well as between 2017 and 2020 during which he has helped the club to many honours to Gozitan football but the entrepreneur has decided to focus all his energies on Ħamrun Spartans and decided to resign from his post.

However, his family association with the club of Nadur is set to go on as his son Tristen has now been appointed as the Gozitan club new president.

“We at Nadur Youngsters always thrive to improve, renew, rejuvenate and most of all win! This can only materialize with hard-work, dedication, passion, and love,” the Gozitan champions said in a statement.

“But it is time the legacy moves on, from one generation, to the next one. No words can thank Joseph Portelli enough for what he did for us and for what he will continue to do.

“Starting as a youngster in our nursery to becoming a striker in our first team, then to becoming the main sponsor of our club and finally obtaining the highest position, that of President of Nadur Youngsters. Joseph always showed love towards Nadur Youngsters and always put forward all efforts possible, so that our club prevails as one of the best teams on our islands.

“Our president’s actions inspired others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more. That made you our leader.

“Today, Joseph felt that it is the right time to end his legacy as President and thus we present the new generation! His son, Triston Portelli will take over the leadership and at such a young age will be leading our glorious club, becoming the youngest president our club ever had.

“Welcome as club president Tristen and thank you Joseph for all the years of hard work.

“Joseph’s legacy as president might have ended but his love to our club will last forever.”

Portelli has decided to be involved with Ħamrun Spartans this summer and took little time to leave his mark at the club as main sponsor after recruiting a number of top players at the club, namely Malta international trio Juan Corbalan, Joseph Mbong and Matthew Guillaumier.

His co-option in the Spartans committee will enable Portelli to be more active in the club’s decisions as he looks to transform the Spartans into one of the strongest teams in Maltese football.

Portelli was not the only new face in the Spartans committee, as Marcel Bonnici, his right-hand man, has also been co-opted.