John Bonello (footballer)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 10 May 1958 | ||
| Place of birth | Msida, Malta | ||
| Position(s) | Goalkeeper | ||
| Youth career | |||
| -1972 | Fgura United | ||
| 1972-1974 | Hibernians | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1974–1980 | Hibernians | 62 | (0) |
| 1980–1981 | SC Herford | 6 | (0) |
| 1981–1993 | Hibernians | 151 | (0) |
| 1996–1999 | Ħamrun Spartans | 32 | (0) |
| Total | 251 | (0) | |
| International career‡ | |||
| 1979–1987 | Malta | 29 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 March 2012 | |||
John Bonello (born 10 May 1958) is a Maltese retired footballer who played as a goalkeeper.
Club career
Born in Msida, Bonello has played the majority of his career at Hibernians Paola, whom he joined from Fgura United. After being sidelined by Hibs for a few seasons he joined Ħamrun Spartans in 1996.[1] He also had a season abroad at West German lower league side SC Herford.[2] He was voted Malta Footballer of the Month in March 1986.[3]
International career
Bonello made his debut for Malta in an August 1979 friendly match against Tunisia. He earned a total of 29 caps, scoring no goals. He has represented his country in 7 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.[4] Bonello was the goalkeeper in the infamous December 1983 European Championship qualification defeat by Spain, which Malta lost 1–12, ensuring that Spain qualified for Euro 1984 ahead of the Netherlands.[5]
His final international was a January 1987 European Championship qualification match against Italy.[6]
Personal life
His son Henry is an international goalkeeper as well.[7]
References
- ^ Baldacchino, Carmel (7 October 2010). "Bonello a suitable replacement for Hibs legend Mizzi". Times of Malta. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ "John Bonello". FuPa (in German). Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ "Player of the Month". Malta Football. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ John Bonello – FIFA competition record (archived)
- ^ Vella, Matthew (22 May 2008). "Ola! John Bonello is Spain's amigo, but that beer ad is not so funny". Malta Today. Retrieved 9 May 2025.
- ^ International stats – EU Football
- ^ Maltese Goalkeeper Seeking To Avenge His Father And Banish Spanish Ghosts Tonight - Lovin Malta
External links
- John Bonello at WorldFootball.net
- John Bonello at National-Football-Teams.com
- John Bonello at FBref.com
- John Bonello at kicker (in German)
- John Bonello at EU-Football.info
- John Bonello at Fussballdaten.de (in German)