# F.C. Bruno's Magpies

Football Club Bruno's Magpies, also known as FCB Magpies, is a semi-professional football team from Gibraltar. They play in the Gibraltar Football League and the Rock Cup.

## History

The club was formed in 2013, initially as a group of friends who drank at the Bruno's Bar & Restaurant (a bar in Gibraltar). The club derive their nickname The Magpies from Newcastle United. In its first two seasons, the club achieved respectable mid-table finishes in the Gibraltar Second Division. Mick Embleton was appointed the first manager of the team and was instrumental in the initial setting up, organising and managing of the squad.
With the introduction of Chestertons, a Gibraltarian real estate agent, as the sponsor in 2015–16, the intent grew more serious, with moves to professionalise the club and establish a fanbase with the introduction of matchday programs and incentives for fans who attended games. The club finished fourth in that season and were the runners-up in the Second Division Cup, losing in extra time to Second Division champions Europa Point.
In October 2016, the club appointed Davie Wilson as manager, who has previously been assistant-manager the Gibraltar national football team and had recently departed Gibraltar Premier Division side Lions. The club enjoyed a dominant start to the campaign, however a faltering winter saw them embroiled in a title race with the resurgent Gibraltar Phoenix. Ending the season in second place, they entered the play-off with Manchester 62, who finished 9th in the 2016–17 Gibraltar Premier Division. However, a 3–1 defeat ensured that The Magpies remained in the Second Division for the following season.
In August 2017, the club announced a new sponsorship deal with GVC Holdings. The side finished 3rd in the league that season, however, in May 2019 they completed a league and cup double, securing the Second Division title while also winning the Second Division Cup. After the season concluded, the club announced that former Watford chairman and British Olympian Haig Oundjian had purchased a stake in the club and become co-chairman with Louis Perry.
The appointment of Nathan Rooney midway through the 2021–22 season saw a significant upturn in Magpies' fortunes in the league, with a 4th-place finish and a first Rock Cup final. The next season, along with an overhaul of the club's image, saw more improvement, with a 3rd-place finish and victory in the 2022–23 Rock Cup. However, on 17 May 2023, Rooney announced his departure from the club, only to return as manager on 1 September.
On 18 July 2024, Bruno's Magpies, knocked Derry City out of the UEFA Conference League qualifying rounds, but were then themselves knocked out in the next round by F.C. Copenhagen after losing 8–1 on aggregate.

## Current squad
### First team

As of 18 August 2024.
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 1 | GK | GIB | Christian Lopez |
| 3 | DF | WAL | Ash Taylor |
| 4 | DF | ESP | Rubén Díaz |
| 5 | DF | MEX | Paco Zúñiga (captain) |
| 6 | MF | ESP | Alé Carrascal |
| 7 | MF | ESP | Juanje |
| 8 | MF | ESP | Carlos García |
| 10 | MF | ESP | Chico Rubio |
| 11 | FW | ESP | Javi Forján |
| 12 | DF | GIB | John Alba |
| 13 | GK | GIB | Thomas Recagno |
| 14 | MF | ENG | Archie Woods |
| 15 | DF | GIB | Lee Coombes |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 16 | MF | GIB | Evan De Haro |
| 17 | MF | NED | Youri Loen |
| 18 | DF | ARG | Federico Villar |
| 19 | FW | CAN | Dontaye Whittaker |
| 21 | FW | GIB | Angelo Parody |
| 23 | GK | GIB | Dayle Coleing |
| 27 | FW | GIB | Dylan Borge |
| 31 | FW | GIB | Julian Del Rio |
| 32 | DF | GIB | Kevagn Ronco |
| 33 | MF | GIB | Han Stevens |
| 44 | MF | GIB | Anthony Hernandez |
| 66 | FW | GIB | Tristam Moya |
| 88 | DF | GIB | Gino Guilliano |

### Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | MF | GIB | Shay Jones (at Europa) |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |

## Club staff

| Position | Name |
| Club Management ||
| Head Coach | Terrence Jolley |
| Assistant Coach | Garry Lowe |
| Goalkeeper Coach | Miguel Ángel Bazán |
| Fitness Coach | Adrián Conde |
| Sports Therapist | Frederick Martin |
| First Team Doctor | Dr Lorena Soler Dr Catalina Fernández Suárez |
| Kit manager | |
| Board ||
| Joint Chairmen | Louis Perry |
| | Haig Oundjian |
| Vice-chairman | Aaron Edwards |
| Financial Director | Mike Nicholls |
| Director of Football Development | Alfonso Cortijo |
| Director of Football | Jansen Dalli |
| Youth Development Manager | Terrence Jolley |
| Secretary | David Frier |

## Honours

* Rock Cup: 1
       2022–23
* Pepe Reyes Cup: 1
       2023
* GFA Challenge Trophy: 1
       2020–21
* Second Division Cup: 1
       2018–19

## Club achievements

* Best league finish – 3rd, Gibraltar Football League: 2022–23, 2023–24
* Biggest win – 17–0 vs Hound Dogs, 15 February 2025

## European record

    Accurate as of match played 1 August 2024
| Competition | Played | Won | Drew | Lost | GF | GA | GD | Win% |
| UEFA Conference League | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 17 | −9 | 025.00 |
| Total | 8 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 17 | −9 | 025.00 |
Legend: GF = Goals For. GA = Goals Against. GD = Goal Difference.
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
| 2022–23 | UEFA Europa Conference League | 1Q | Crusaders | 2–1 | 1–3 | 3–4 |
| 2023–24 | UEFA Europa Conference League | 1Q | Dundalk | 0–0 | 1–3 | 1–3 |
| 2024–25 | UEFA Conference League | 1Q | Derry City | 2–0 | 1–2 (a.e.t.) | 3–2 |
| 2024–25 | UEFA Conference League | 2Q | Copenhagen | 0–3 | 1–5 | 1–8 |

### Notes

* 1Q: First qualifying round
* 2Q: Second qualifying round