John Bonello (footballer)
{{short description|Maltese footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = John Bonello
| image =
| caption =
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1958|5|10|df=y}}
| height =
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = -1972 | youthclubs1 = Fgura United
| youthyears2 = 1972-1974 | youthclubs2 = Hibernians
| years1 = 1974–1980
| clubs1 = Hibernians
| caps1 = 62
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1980–1981
| clubs2 = SC Herford
| caps2 = 6
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 1981–1993
| clubs3 = Hibernians
| caps3 = 151
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 1996–1999
| clubs4 = Ħamrun Spartans
| caps4 = 32
| goals4 = 0
| totalcaps = 251 | totalgoals = 0
| nationalyears1 = 1979–1987
| nationalteam1 = Malta
| nationalcaps1 = 29
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| pcupdate =
| nationalteam-update = 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.{{cite web|url=https://timesofmalta.com/article/bonello-a-suitable-replacement-for-hibs-legend-mizzi.330213|title=Bonello a suitable replacement for Hibs legend Mizzi|newspaper=Times of Malta|first=Carmel|last=Baldacchino|date=7 October 2010|access-date=9 May 2025}} He also had a season abroad at West German lower league side SC Herford.{{cite web|url=https://www.fupa.net/player/nv-john-bonello-440642|title=John Bonello|website=FuPa|language=de|access-date=9 May 2025}} He was voted Malta Footballer of the Month in March 1986.{{cite web|url=https://www.maltafootball.com/archive/individual-honours/player-of-the-month/|title=Player of the Month|website=Malta Football|access-date=9 May 2025}}
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.{{FIFA player|46747}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/sports/football/94754/ola_john_bonello_is_my_amigo_that_beer_ad_is_not_so_funny|title=Ola! John Bonello is Spain’s amigo, but that beer ad is not so funny|newspaper=Malta Today|first=Matthew|last=Vella|date=22 May 2008|access-date=9 May 2025}}
His final international was a January 1987 European Championship qualification match against Italy.[http://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=2253 International stats] – EU Football
Personal life
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{sports links}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bonello, John}}
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Maltese men's footballers
Category:Malta men's international footballers
Category:Hibernians F.C. players
Category:Hamrun Spartans F.C. players
Category:Maltese Premier League players
Category:2. Bundesliga players
Category:Maltese Challenge League players
Category:Maltese expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in West Germany
Category:Maltese expatriate sportspeople in Germany
{{Malta-footy-bio-stub}}