Championship Team
Aljezurense Championship Match and Dinner
Championship Trophy Presentation
May 26 2012.
PORTUGUESE footballing legend Vicente Lucas was on Vale da Telha at the weekend as part of Aljezurense FC’s Championship celebrations marking their promotion to Division One of the Algarve FA.
Vicente Lucas
Lucas, now 77, was part of Portugal’s 1966 World Cup squad in England.
He is now an Ambassador for Lisbon side Clube de Futebol Os Belenenses, where he played in 12 top Division seasons during a career tragically cut short at the age of 30 when he lost the sight of his right eye in a car accident.
And, to hail J C Aljezurense’s title-winning season, Belenenses—Champions of Portugal on four occasions—sent their veterans team for a celebration match to mark the presentation of the championship trophies.
It was a gesture much appreciated by Aljezurense, as Belenenses, founded in 1919, is one of the oldest and most famous of Portuguese sports clubs. It is based in the Belém quarter of Lisbon, hence the club name, which translates as “The ones from Belém.”
This famous old club is also noted for having played the inaugural football match at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on 14 December 1947, against Real Madrid.
Vicente—born in Mozambique and said by Pele to have been the greatest defender he ever played against—led the distinguished group from Lisbon.
And earlier in the day the squad of former Belenenses players visited Vale da Telha for a special lunch at the Vale da Telha restaurant.
Sadly, one of their former players was not able to make the journey—the “Special One” himself Real Madrid and former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho!
At the 1966 World Cup Vicente played in all the group games, including the 3-1 win over Brazil, plus the memorable 5-3 victory over North Korea, as Portugal finished 3rdin the tournament.
Aljezurense meeting Belenenses
After Saturday’s celebration match at the Aljezurense FC ground (won 1-0 by the slower but highly-skilled veterans team that included five former international players!) Aljezurense and the Aljezur Camara hosted a celebration dinner at the Bombeiros HQ.
Amovate were among the invited guests and after the dinner we made our Player of the Year presentation, an annual award that has come to be highly appreciated by the team and staff of Aljezurense FC.
Peter Johnson presents Man of Match award
This year’s award went to newcomer Fábio António, who played major roles in important matches during his first season with the club.
Fábio’s strong tackling, accurate passing, impressive stamina and an eye for goal made him a favourite with the supporters.
His father accepted the trophies on his son’s behalf from Amovate President Peter Johnson as Fábio was away celebrating his last day at University.
Belenenses representative presents their Club Scarf
Later, a Belenenses spokesman, in a speech of thanks to the players and staff of J C Aljezurense, also praised the Vale da Telha contingent for their loyal and dedicated support of their local club.
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