FCB Magpies Poised for Historic European Clash

 

FCB Magpies Poised for Historic European Clash

Gibraltar – If Nathan Rooney's FCB Magpies manage to achieve one of the most sensational upsets in European football history, their celebration plans are clear. The "pub team" that originated at Bruno's bar in Gibraltar for a mere £500 in 2013 now finds itself competing against Europe's elite.

On Thursday, they face the formidable challenge of 15-time Danish champions FC Copenhagen in the first leg of their Europa Conference League second-round qualifying tie. Last season, FC Copenhagen secured a notable victory against Manchester United at home in the Champions League group stage, progressing to the last 16 of Europe’s premier club competition.

In stark contrast, the Magpies hail from Gibraltar, a footballing nation with a population just under 33,000—less than the Faroe Islands. Remarkably, everyone in Gibraltar could fit within Copenhagen’s 38,000-capacity Parken Stadium.

Despite the seemingly insurmountable odds, Magpies boss Nathan Rooney remains ambitious. “The 'pub team' label should stay with us as it’s appealing and hooks people onto our story,” Rooney stated ahead of the game at the Europa Point Stadium, a sports complex on the Rock of Gibraltar with a capacity of 875.

Rooney emphasized the importance of the team's growth and evolution. “Competing against these teams means we need to balance the pub team tag with our aspirations of becoming a full-time, sustainable club. This will allow us to develop our youth teams and start selling players, which currently doesn’t happen here.”

Rooney, who joined the Magpies in 2022, has overseen significant progress. The team won the Rock Cup and Super Cup last year and has qualified for European competitions three times. This success has enabled them to attract players like former Aberdeen defender Ashton Taylor, who joined after leaving Bradford in May. Rooney believes the league could become fully professional within the next 18 months.

“We’ve had three cup finals, three consecutive European qualifications, and now we’re becoming sustainable,” Rooney explained. “The underdog mentality is now only applicable in Europe. Domestically, we need more investment in better players and longer contracts. We also need to improve our facilities to support our future endeavors.”

As the Magpies prepare for their monumental clash with FC Copenhagen, they do so with a mix of hope and determination, embodying the spirit of a team that started from humble beginnings and now dreams of European glory.