Former figure skater of Armenian descent, Haig Oundjian, currently living in England, is the vice president and majority shareholder of the Gibraltar football club Bruno's Magpies, which made a sensation in the Conference League by defeating Irish club Derry City and advancing to the second round of qualification.
This club, founded in 2013, has an interesting history, starting with a group of friends who gathered in one of Gibraltar's bars called Bruno's.
Bruno's Magpies began their journey as an amateur team united by a common passion for football and friendly gatherings. Over the years, they managed to make a name for themselves and move to a professional level. In 2019, the team achieved significant success by rising to the Gibraltar Premier Division. This event marked a turning point in the club's history as additional financial resources were needed to maintain the level of play and competitiveness.
At this moment, Haig Oundjian stepped in, providing the necessary financial assistance and becoming the majority shareholder of the club. His contribution is not limited to financial investments. Oundjian brought his rich experience in managing sports organizations to the club. Previously, he was the chairman of the National Ice Skating Association of Great Britain and vice-chairman of Watford Football Club.
Haig Oundjian on the left
Haig Oundjian has an outstanding sports career. As a figure skater, he became the British figure skating champion three times. He represented his country twice at the Winter Olympics, placing 17th in 1968 and 7th in 1972. In 1971, he won a bronze medal at the European Championships, which was the pinnacle of his sports career.
Haig Oundjian at the 1972 Olympics.
Currently, Bruno's Magpies are among the potential opponents of Urartu in the third round of the Conference League qualification. The team's success in this stage will depend on their victory over Copenhagen, as well as the result of Urartu's match against Baník.
