Sounding Off on Soccer: Michael Monsour on his groundbreaking protective headgear mission, ups and downs as chairman of Manchester 62, another pro team in Pittsburgh (!?) and more

Photo courtesy Manchester 62

The last we heard from Michael Monsour, he left his first soccer venture with Pittsburgh City United FC, to lead a group which purchased and took over operations for Manchester 62, a club in Gibraltar, which compete in the Gibraltar National League.

In more than two years, Monsour’s ride with the club has seen its ups and downs, but currently has the club positioned in a good place as they have become a very competitive outfit in this small European territory which has been sanctioned by FIFA as part of UEFA.

The club, which followed the lead of Monsour’s Pittsburgh City United by mandating protective headgear for its players, continues to promote the impact of protective headgear on head injuries and partner with the Concussion Legacy Foundation.

By January 2023, one of the most iconic football clubs in Gibraltar’s storied football history, became the first top flight European football club to have all 10 outfield players wear protective headgear in a professional match in an effort to promote concussion awareness and safety in the beautiful game.

Monsour joined John Krysinsky on Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast, to discuss his journey .

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More about Manchester 62 FC

Manchester 62 FC fans are known for their unique tradition of singing “Gibraltar, Rock and Roll,” a modified version of Chuck Berry’s “Rock and Roll Music,” during home games. The song has become the unofficial anthem of the club, and it is played before every match at Victoria Stadium.

The Gibraltar based football club was founded in 1962 under the name  Manchester United Gibraltar, after a group of Manchester United supporters attempting to start their own football club requested permission from legendary Man UTD manager Sir Matt Busby to use the English club’s name and colors for their new team. Manchester United would go on to win 7 Gibraltar Football League titles, 5 Rock Cups, and 2 Pepe Reyes Cups before changing their name in 2012 to Manchester 62 F.C. as a result of the Gibraltar Football League’s acceptance into European Competitions.