Magpies’ European Journey: From ‘Pub Team’ to Historic Clash with FC Copenhagen
Introduction:
Nathan Rooney’s FCB Magpies, a team formed at Bruno’s bar in Gibraltar for just £500 in 2013, now find themselves preparing for a historic clash with 15-time Danish champions FC Copenhagen in the Europa Conference League second-round qualifying tie. Despite being considered a ‘pub team’ due to Gibraltar’s small population of just under 33,000, the Magpies have been making significant progress under Rooney’s leadership, winning the Rock Cup and Super Cup last year and qualifying for Europe three times. Rooney’s ultimate aim is to transform the club into a full-time sustainable model and compete at a higher level.
Raising the Bar:
Rooney embraces the ‘pub team’ tag as it attracts attention and creates a compelling narrative. However, he also acknowledges the need to separate from it as the club strives for a full-time sustainable model. This progress has allowed them to sign former Aberdeen defender Ashton Taylor and could lead to the league becoming full-time within the next 18 months. Rooney believes that investment in better players and facilities is crucial to back up their success in Europe and continue their journey.
Rooney’s Coaching Career:
Rooney’s coaching career began at Blackburn, where he worked in the youth setup alongside a young David Raya. He gained his Uefa A license by the age of 22 and went on to work with Steven Pressley, Graham Alexander, and Uwe Rosler at Fleetwood. He also served as Cabriele Cioffi’s number two at Crawley. Rooney’s experience working with top managers and his dedication to self-improvement have shaped him into a seasoned coach with 16-17 years of experience. While he didn’t expect to be coaching abroad, his wife’s involvement with Real Betis Women’s team has made Gibraltar their new home.
Gibraltar’s Football History:
In Rooney’s previous spell with the Magpies, they reached the Conference League qualifiers but narrowly missed out on a meeting with FC Basel. However, they won the Rock Cup and secured European football again before Rooney’s return in September. The team now aims to replicate the biggest result in Gibraltar club history, the Red Imps’ 1-0 win over Celtic in 2016. FC Copenhagen has previously played in Gibraltar, defeating the Red Imps 4-0 in the Champions League group stage in 2021-22. The Magpies’ recent 3-2 aggregate win over Derry City secured them their glamour tie against Copenhagen.
The Challenge:
Copenhagen, led by Jacob Neestrup, reached the last 16 of the Champions League last season, showcasing their quality and experience. They finished second in Group A, defeating Galatasaray and drawing against Bayern Munich. Moreover, they overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Manchester United 4-3. Rooney acknowledges the challenge but remains optimistic and believes that the Magpies have a chance to make history. He questions whether Copenhagen will be fully focused on the game or have one eye on their domestic league. Despite the resources disparity, Rooney believes that mentality will play a crucial role in determining the outcome.
Conclusion:
FCB Magpies’ journey from a ‘pub team’ to a clash with FC Copenhagen highlights the team’s remarkable progress under Nathan Rooney’s guidance. Their success in Europe and the ambition to become a full-time sustainable model demonstrate their determination to compete at a higher level. While the challenge against Copenhagen is significant, it presents an opportunity for the Magpies to write another chapter in their history. Rooney’s experience and the team’s resilience make them well-equipped to face the formidable Danish opponents.