David Cluett

Michael Griscti writes:

It is extremely painful and hard to accept the fact that some are called to eternal life much earlier than others.

This is the case with David Cluett. I had the honour of getting to know David early in our footballing careers. In our college days, David was the tall, lanky St Edward's goalkeeper who would frustrate our St Aloysius forward line with saves verging on the miraculous. It was already obvious then, that he had enormous potential.

We joined Melita FC around the same time and moved up the ranks from youths to first team together. David was literally and always head and shoulders above everyone else and those who know what it was like to play for Melita back then, would understand how comforting it was to have someone like him on your side.

Having been called up with the Malta youths and eventually the national team together, I was more than happy to room with him on numerous occasions. I will never forget how, on one of those early trips abroad, I was brave enough to challenge David to a pillow fight in our room.

With his long reach, all he did was hold me with one hand, never letting me land a single blow on him, whilst he gently peppered away at me with the other. That was David in a nutshell - big and strong yet gentle and considerate.

David took his football seriously and as everyone knows, went on to have a hugely successful career with Floriana and the Maltese national side. He was positive all throughout his battle against his illness and on my visits to him in hospital, would greet me with his usual 'Aw siehbi' before voicing his concern about all the pain and suffering around him. Sadly it was one game he would not win.

David will be sorely missed by one and all, but the memories of all the good times together will remain forever. My deepest condolences go to all his family, especially to Carlos, a brother who was there for him all the way till the very end.