Sydney United
Encyclopedia
Sydney United Football Club are an Australian football (soccer)
club from Sydney
, Australia
, established in 1957 by Croatian Australian
s in the area. The club was formed as Sydney Croatia, but in 1993 was renamed Sydney United after holding the name Sydney CSC for a season.
The club currently plays in the New South Wales Premier League, hosting matches at the Sydney United Sports Centre
in Edensor Park, New South Wales
.
United are a sister club to Melbourne Knights
a Croatian club in the Victorian Premier League
.
of 12,000. The main stand is the Boka stand, Boka being the main sponsor of the project. Within the Boka stand is the Senator's Club, which is for lifetime members of the club. Inside the Senator's Club is the Kalac Bar, in recognition of Željko Kalac's transfer to Leicester City in the English Premier League, which also went a long way in paying for the Boka stand.
Previous home grounds include:
After transferring to the NSW Soccer Federation (a rebel league that was established in 1959) they were competing in the Third Division. In 1961 they were promoted to the Second Division and in 1963 to the First Division, where they were amongst the elite teams in not only NSW but Australia too. Teams like St. George Budapest, Pan Hellenic (who later become Sydney Olympic), APIA-Leichhardt, Hakoah and United's major rivals in Yugal
.
For the seasons of 1964 and 1965, a part of the name changed, from Croatia to Metropolitan Adriatic, but reverted to Croatia in 1966. This was not the last name change. The NSWSF ordered Croatia and Yugal in 1968 to anglicise their names after a few incidents with crowd violence. Thus Croatia changed their name again to South Sydney Croatia as they resided in the South Sydney area with the local Croatian club at Surry Hills.
After a few lean seasons in the late 60s and early 70s, Croatia won their first NSW Premiership in 1977 with Luka Fabijinic as coach and with the skill of Atti Aboyni as the team's powerhouse striker. The team beat Auburn 2-0 in front of a crowd of more than 6,500 at the Sydney Sports Ground.
In 1978 Aboyni took over as captain and coach of the team as Croatia amassed 62 goals in the normal season (Aboyni scoring 21 of them) and winning the Minor Premiership for the first time but losing to Sutherland 2-1 in the Grand Final Replay
(the first one being a 1-1 draw) in front of 9,700 fans.
Aboyni then coached again in 1979 to another Minor Premiership before quitting after Croatia lost 0-2 to Sutherland in the Premlinary Final.
The successful years then rolled on, Sydney Croatia winning Minor Premierships in 1981 and 1982 and winning the Premiership in 1982 and 1983.
In the early 1980s, Croatia were often drawing home attendances of 10,000 in the NSW state league. Yet, the National League Clubs could only manage average crowds of 3,000. The national league was crying out for such a heavily-supported club to enter the national competition but the national league executive had deemed it inappropriate for clubs to enter the league under nationalistic titles and Croatia were not keen to change their name. However after a massive National League shake-up in 1984, Sydney Croatia (and its sister club Melbourne Croatia) were accepted into the national league under those names.
The new NSL club also established a record in 1984. Throughout the season, the club had six coaches: after Aboyni, Harry Noon and Mick Jones were sacked, Bill Bicanacic and Bruno Vidaic took the role as caretakers, with Vedran Rozic
finally taking over. Rozic was brought over from Croatian football club Hajduk Split
as a sweeper but took the role as player and coach as the club stumbled to 6th spot for the season.
Large home crowds in these early national league days ensured that Croatia soon became the most popular club in Sydney.
1985 and 1986 saw better success, with Croatia winning the Northern NSL Division crown in front of powerhouse clubs such as Sydney Olympic, Marconi, and Sydney City. However, in the Preliminary Final they lost to Sydney Olympic.
1987 saw a lean season in the league. However, a great cup season which brought them another trophy, winning the Beach Fashions Cup with a 2-0 aggregate victory of South Melbourne with Croatia strikers Robbie Slater and Graham Arnold scoring.
However, after finishing second in the normal season in 1988, Sydney Croatia made it to its first NSL Grand Final, playing neighbours Marconi-Fairfield at Parramatta Stadium in front of a 17,000 strong crowd. Alan Hunter and Manis Lamond scored for Croatia, with Frank Farina and Zlatko Nastevski scoring for Marconi. At the score 2-2 after extra time, the game went to a penalty shootout. At 4-4, Croatia's young midfielder Shane Clinch hit the post with his spot kick, followed by Marconi veteran Tony Henderson scoring against Croatia's Tony Franken, winning the game for Marconi.
1992/93 Season saw the appointment of ex-Sydney Olympic coach Mick Hickman, only for him to resign in the pre-season. Ex-Socceroo Defender Manfred Schaefer was appointed as coach, and United finished 7th. United's youth policy in which players such as Tony Popovic, Zeljko Kalac, Ante Milicic and Ante Moric was coming to fruition. These players would end up representing Australia in various levels.
1993/94 saw Zeljko Kalac keep an NSL record 12 clean sheets in 26 games. The club finished 3rd after leading the competition.
Branko Culina replaced Schaefer as coach in the 1994/95 season and with a squad consisting of 75% of locally produced players United finished 3rd.
In the 1996/1997 season, under the guidance of Culina, United won another Minor Premiership and subsequently booked itself into its second Grand Final – this time in Brisbane. In front of an Australian Football record of 44,000 people United lost 2-0 to Farina's Brisbane Strikers. Kresimir Maursic was voted Prestigious NSL Player of the Year award and David Zdrillic finished the NSL's leading scorer on 21 goals (Ante Milicic finished 2nd on 19).
However the club lost players to overseas clubs - Popovic, Kalac, Milicic, Zdrilic and Robert Enes.
1997/98 saw former Socceroo striker David Mitchell take over as coach. As expected the club did struggle however finished a respectable 4th with Abbas Saad as its top scorer for the season.
With Paul Bilokapic and Mark Rudan off to Northern Spirit, United won its third NSL Minor Premiership in the 1998/99 season. Led by the inspirational former St. Albans Dinamo defender Velimir Kupresak and more young talent from the youth league such as Jacob Burns, Joel Griffiths and Mile Sterjovski, United reached the NSL Grand Final for the 2nd time. However, in the Grand Final in Melbourne against South Melbourne, United lost 3-2 with goals to Mile Sterjovski and Danny Townsend in front of 15,000 fans.
Then in its darkest period for history for the club, 1999/2000 Sydney United has lost all their players (expect for legend Velimir Kupresak) and their coach to a new "professional" football club called Parramatta Power. (Note: Parramatta Power only lasted for 5 seasons) Ex-Socceroo Defender David Ratcliffe was appointed coach for that season.
Decimated, but still showing guts, United managed to ruffle a few feathers in the 1999/2000 season despite finishing last. The standout out performance was defeating Parramatta Power 1-0 at home to end their final aspirations. Ex-Sibenik and United midfielder Ivan Petkovic took over the reins after Ratcliffe was sacked in Jan 2000.
Branko Culina came back for a second stint as coach for season 01/02 and finished 11th. In 2002/03 saw the club import 3 Croatian players, goalkeeper Vanja Ivesa and defenders Bozidar Cacic and Boris Pavic. Another poor season, the club finished in 10th and Culina was replaced in January by former United striker Tony Krslovic
Ex-Olympic defender Grant Lee was appointed as coach in 2003/04 saw the club struggle to 10th spot. Highlight of the year was the last round fixture away to United sister club, the Melbourne Knights (Croatia). In front of healthy 8,423 strong crowd, the game on 29 February 2004 which ended up 0-0 saw many flares, celebrations and a mass pitch invasion as this was to be the last NSL game forever.
Subsequently, United's performances in the last few years of the NSL were not great, finishing mainly in the bottom half of the table.
.
With new coach Zlatko Arambasic
at the helm in 2005, United started off brilliantly only to limp into 4th place by the end of the season. However, United enjoyed more success with a 3-1 victory over the Belconnen Blue Devils in the Continental Tyres Cup Final at Parramatta Stadium in front of 1,500 ecstatic fans.
In 2006, Arambasic
was dismissed as coach, and in stepped Jean-Paul de Marigny as head coach. United started slowly but ended up finishing up 3rd during the season. During the Top 4 Final Series, United then went on to become premiers of the Vodafone NSW Premier League, after beating Blacktown City Demons
4-0 in the 2006 Grand Final. The hero of the day was Luka Glavas
as he scored all four goals in the game.
2007 - and with Jean-Paul De Marigny
leaving the club to pursue a coaching job with FootballNSW, United appointed Bankstown City Lions Assistant Coach Peter Papoythis as head coach.
8 May 2007, United were lying in 8th spot and dismissed Papoythis as coach. This saw another ex-United player in Ante Rumora appointed as coach. United finished the season in 6th spot, 4 points from the top 4.
The club is also a regular participant in the Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament
. A tournament for clubs of
Sydney United Football Club has a pedigree second to none in producing players that have played professionally overseas and represented Australia at youth and full international level.
During the club's golden period in the 1990s when they dominated the National Soccer League, the majority of the first grade players had come through the Club's own junior ranks. Many of these players now ply their trade in some of the best football leagues around the world and are still an integral part of the Australian national squad.
No other club has had a greater impact on Australian Soccer than Sydney United. The club, at last count, has produced 34 A International Representatives for Australia, a dozen Olympians, and a countless number of Youth Internationals.
In addition, the first Australian to captain an English Premier League club, Tony Popovic of Crystal Palace, is a Sydney United product. This coupled with the fact that another United product, Zeljko Kalac is the first Australian to play for world club giants, AC Milan, emphasizes the contribution of the club to Australian soccer.
• 1998 Grand Final between the clubs saw the game go onto a penalty shoot-out which Marconi won
• A semi-final game between them in the season of 1997/98 seeing United's Kupresak sent off for headbutting Marconi's Sean Babic on the nose.
Both clubs have seen more activity off the field than on especially with transfers of players between the clubs
Players such as Ante Milicic
, Ned Zelic
, Emil Dragicevic, Labinot Haliti
, Jim Patikas
, Graham Jennings
, Ante Moric, Eric Hristodoulou
and David Barrett have switched between the clubs over the years.
Northern Spirit, based in North Sydney became another United rival when it signed former United players Graham Arnold, Robbie Slater, Kresimir Marusic, Paul Bilokapic and Mark Rudan. United, as massive underdogs in season 2000/01 with a depleted team, won 2-1 at North Sydney in wet conditions.
Parramatta Power, backed by the rich Parramatta Eels Rugby League Club, entered the competition in Season 1999/2000 after stealing 16 United players and staff from the season before. United however had the last laugh on them as United defeated Parramatta 1-0 to end their aspirations for a finals berth.
Ron Corry
– An excellent goalkeeper who played with Croatia from 1966 till 1975 and was a coach and goalkeeping coach with Croatia for years teaching the likes of Mark Bosnich and Željko Kalac.
Steven Watson – "Watto" came to Croatia from Granville Magpies in the late 1970s. A great goalkeeper with his traditional moustache, Watson left the club in 1987 after 12 years at Croatia.
Željko Kalac
– "Spider" is a Luddenham Croatia (Bosna) junior who is an Australian representative and currently playing for 2007 European Champions AC Milan in Italy. A United crowd favourite especially at saving penalties.
Other Notable Mentions – Tony Franken
and Mark Bosnich
Defenders:
Velimir Kuprešak – "Big Vel" joined from St. Albans Dinamo Saints in Victoria after coming from NK Borovo in Croatia. The 1998 Victorian Player of the year transferred to United in 1988/89. A hard hitting, passionate, loyal defender during the 1990s, Velimir was always the first player to a header challenge.
Tony Popović
– "Poppa" is a United junior and once captained Crystal Palace in the England top-flight. A tough defender from the 1990s who also had a knack of scoring goals from set pieces. Has just returned home to play for .
Bruno Vidaić – Currently a physiotherapist, Bruno terrorized opposition strikers with his bullocking tackles and stood like a mountain in defence during the late 70's early 80's. His son Ben is currently a striker for Sydney United and the Australian U/17 squad
David Rezo – Another player who played over 100 games for the club scoring 11 goals, the current Sydney United Manager was a speedy fullback with long blonde locks in his time during the 1980s at the club.
Other Notable Mentions – Greg Smith, Vedran Rožić
, Tom Basić and Mark Babić
Midfielders:
Wally Savor
– The lanky midfielder was first a striker in the late 1978 season before being pushed back in the engine room. With more than 250 appearances for the club, Wally has played for the Socceroos as a fullback, but his skill in the Number 8 jersey for Croatia during the early 80's will never be forgotten.
Maurice Sullivan – "Frenchie" as he was known (born in Mauritius) was a star midfielder playing in excess of 200 games for Croatia. A great club man, he played for Croatia for 13 years
Ivan Petković – "Petka" came from NK Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia for the 1986 and played over 120 games from the club. A midfield general, Petka did coach United as a caretaker during the 1999/2000 season and has returned to the club as head coach for season 2007/2008.
Other Notable Mentions – Žarko Odžakov
, Eduardo Massey, Krešimir Marušić
and Ante Rumora
Strikers:
Manis Lamond
– Papua New Guinean International and crowd favourite playing for Canberra City when Croatia bought him for an NSL Record transfer fee of $32,000. Lamond played for the club from 1986 until the 1994/95 season scoring 44 goals. Currently living in Perth.
Mate Goreta and Mile Bičanić – two of Croatia's best strikers from the late 1950s and 1960s, both gentlemen have guided the club behind the scenes for decades.
Graham Arnold
– "Arnie" joined Croatia from Canterbury-Marrickville in 1982 before leaving in the 1989/1990 seasons. An Australian International, he scored over 80 goals for the club and was voted NSW Player of the year in 1985, NSL Player of the year in 1986 and Top scorer in the NSL in 15 in 1986. Also a kicking coach for some rugby league teams/players but currently Australia's Football Assistant Coach to Pim Veerbeek.
Marijan Kovačić – "Curly" was the man-in-the-hole player during the late 70's and early 80's and everything that he touched turned into goals. Another star player from the Sydney Croatia junior ranks along with his fullback brother Alex, Marijan scored 55 goals for the club.
Ante Miličić
– A Sydney Croatia Junior and a strong speedy striker, Ante gives his full commitment to the club on and off the field. When asked to transfer to Sydney Olympic for a reported $110,000 to help his club out of financial difficulty, Ante duly helped his club out. With 51 goals for United and currently playing with Malaysian Premier League team Shahzan Muda FC, Ante is the only current playing legend of Sydney United/Croatia Football Club.
Atti Aboyni – The Hungarian born, former Australian winger/striker played for St. George Budapest before joining Croatia. He helped them to achieve their first Premiership in 1977 and scored 74 goals in 89 games (from 1977 till 1979) at Croatia at an amazing strike rate of 1 goal every 1.20 games
Other Notable Mentions – Robbie Slater
, Jim Patikas
, David Zdrilić
, Marcos Silva, Tony Krslović and Vic Reynolds
Coaches:
Branko Čulina
– A former player of United, he coached United from 1994 until 1997 and again from 2001 until 2003. A masterful tactician, United reached the NSL Grand Final with him at the helm in 1996.
Vedran Rožić
– Former HNK Hajduk Split player who joined Sydney Croatia in 1984 as a defender, he was thrust into the coaching ranks in 1984 as Croatia's 6th coach for that season. As player/coach, he guided Croatia to a Minor Premiership in 1986 and Runners-up to Marconi in 1988. He was a player/coach for more than 100 games for Sydney Croatia.
Francis Awaritefe
Jason Čulina
Craig Foster (footballer)
Tony Franken
Joel Griffiths
Alan Hunter
Troy Halpin
Eddie Krnčević
Commins Menapi
Ante Miličić
Stuart Munro
(1997–98) 21 apps 0 goals Tom Pondeljak
Liam Reddy
Mark Rudan
David Seal
Robbie Slater
Steve Waugh
Mark Waugh
Mile Sterjovski
David Zdrilić
Ned Zelić
Tim Cahill
Mile Jedinak
Aytek Genc
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
club from Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, established in 1957 by Croatian Australian
Croatian Australian
Croatia has been a source of migrants to Australia, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s. In 2006, 128,051 persons resident in Australia identified themselves as having Croatian ancestry.- History :...
s in the area. The club was formed as Sydney Croatia, but in 1993 was renamed Sydney United after holding the name Sydney CSC for a season.
The club currently plays in the New South Wales Premier League, hosting matches at the Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United Sports Centre
Sydney United Sports Centre, formerly known as Sydney Croatia Sports Centre and King Tomislav Park is a multi-use stadium in Edensor Park, Sydney, Australia. It is mainly used for football and is the home ground for the Sydney United team. The stadium has a capacity of 12,000 people and was...
in Edensor Park, New South Wales
Edensor Park, New South Wales
Edensor Park is a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Edensor Park is located 38 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district in the local government area of the City of Fairfield. It is mainly a residential area, which mainly consists of the middle social class...
.
United are a sister club to Melbourne Knights
Melbourne Knights
Melbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
a Croatian club in the Victorian Premier League
Victorian Premier League
The Victorian Premier League is the highest State level association football competition in Victoria, Australia, and second highest nationally after the A-League...
.
The Ground
In 1981, Sydney Croatia Football Club permanently made their move from the city to the United Sports Centre in Edensor Park. The ground is better known to fans as King Tom, and has a capacitySeating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 12,000. The main stand is the Boka stand, Boka being the main sponsor of the project. Within the Boka stand is the Senator's Club, which is for lifetime members of the club. Inside the Senator's Club is the Kalac Bar, in recognition of Željko Kalac's transfer to Leicester City in the English Premier League, which also went a long way in paying for the Boka stand.
Previous home grounds include:
- Wentworth Park, Glebe
- E.S Marks Field (Sydney Athletic Field), Moore Park
- Sydney Sports Ground (demolished, replaced with Sydney Football Stadium), Moore Park
- Parramatta Stadium (only in season 1997-1998)
Early years
Formed in 1957 as a sports club, the Sydney Croatia Football Club played its first season in 1958 in the old NSW Soccer Football Association (NSWSFA) without losing a single match.After transferring to the NSW Soccer Federation (a rebel league that was established in 1959) they were competing in the Third Division. In 1961 they were promoted to the Second Division and in 1963 to the First Division, where they were amongst the elite teams in not only NSW but Australia too. Teams like St. George Budapest, Pan Hellenic (who later become Sydney Olympic), APIA-Leichhardt, Hakoah and United's major rivals in Yugal
Yugal
S.S.C. Yugal is a defunct association football club from Sydney, Australia. The club, formed by Yugoslav migrants in the mid 1950s was originally known as Dalmatinac and competed initially in the Granville District competition before joining the New South Wales Federation of Soccer Clubs Second...
.
For the seasons of 1964 and 1965, a part of the name changed, from Croatia to Metropolitan Adriatic, but reverted to Croatia in 1966. This was not the last name change. The NSWSF ordered Croatia and Yugal in 1968 to anglicise their names after a few incidents with crowd violence. Thus Croatia changed their name again to South Sydney Croatia as they resided in the South Sydney area with the local Croatian club at Surry Hills.
After a few lean seasons in the late 60s and early 70s, Croatia won their first NSW Premiership in 1977 with Luka Fabijinic as coach and with the skill of Atti Aboyni as the team's powerhouse striker. The team beat Auburn 2-0 in front of a crowd of more than 6,500 at the Sydney Sports Ground.
In 1978 Aboyni took over as captain and coach of the team as Croatia amassed 62 goals in the normal season (Aboyni scoring 21 of them) and winning the Minor Premiership for the first time but losing to Sutherland 2-1 in the Grand Final Replay
Grand Final Replay
A Grand Final Replay is a method of deciding the winner of a competition when a Grand Final is drawn. It is commonly used in football codes, particularly in Australian rules football, and most notably in the Australian Football League, where it has been used three times, most recently in...
(the first one being a 1-1 draw) in front of 9,700 fans.
Aboyni then coached again in 1979 to another Minor Premiership before quitting after Croatia lost 0-2 to Sutherland in the Premlinary Final.
The 1980s
1980 had arrived and the club purchased a block of land in West Sydney to call their new home. This home is known as the Sydney United Sports Centre at Edensor Park.The successful years then rolled on, Sydney Croatia winning Minor Premierships in 1981 and 1982 and winning the Premiership in 1982 and 1983.
In the early 1980s, Croatia were often drawing home attendances of 10,000 in the NSW state league. Yet, the National League Clubs could only manage average crowds of 3,000. The national league was crying out for such a heavily-supported club to enter the national competition but the national league executive had deemed it inappropriate for clubs to enter the league under nationalistic titles and Croatia were not keen to change their name. However after a massive National League shake-up in 1984, Sydney Croatia (and its sister club Melbourne Croatia) were accepted into the national league under those names.
The new NSL club also established a record in 1984. Throughout the season, the club had six coaches: after Aboyni, Harry Noon and Mick Jones were sacked, Bill Bicanacic and Bruno Vidaic took the role as caretakers, with Vedran Rozic
Vedran Rožic
Vedran Rožić is a former Croatian football player. He capped 10 times for Yugoslavia. He played with the team at the 1979 Mediterranean Games....
finally taking over. Rozic was brought over from Croatian football club Hajduk Split
HNK Hajduk Split
HNK Hajduk Split, commonly referred to as Hajduk Split or simply Hajduk, is a Croatian football club founded in 1911 and based in the city of Split. The club's home ground since 1979 is the 35,000-seater Poljud Stadium and the team's traditional home colours are white shirts with blue shorts and...
as a sweeper but took the role as player and coach as the club stumbled to 6th spot for the season.
Large home crowds in these early national league days ensured that Croatia soon became the most popular club in Sydney.
1985 and 1986 saw better success, with Croatia winning the Northern NSL Division crown in front of powerhouse clubs such as Sydney Olympic, Marconi, and Sydney City. However, in the Preliminary Final they lost to Sydney Olympic.
1987 saw a lean season in the league. However, a great cup season which brought them another trophy, winning the Beach Fashions Cup with a 2-0 aggregate victory of South Melbourne with Croatia strikers Robbie Slater and Graham Arnold scoring.
However, after finishing second in the normal season in 1988, Sydney Croatia made it to its first NSL Grand Final, playing neighbours Marconi-Fairfield at Parramatta Stadium in front of a 17,000 strong crowd. Alan Hunter and Manis Lamond scored for Croatia, with Frank Farina and Zlatko Nastevski scoring for Marconi. At the score 2-2 after extra time, the game went to a penalty shootout. At 4-4, Croatia's young midfielder Shane Clinch hit the post with his spot kick, followed by Marconi veteran Tony Henderson scoring against Croatia's Tony Franken, winning the game for Marconi.
The 1990s
Two more names changes, firstly to Sydney C.S.C (Croatian Soccer Club) in 1992 and then to its current name of Sydney United and the move from a winter league in Australia to a summer league saw a few lean seasons for the club in the early 1990s.1992/93 Season saw the appointment of ex-Sydney Olympic coach Mick Hickman, only for him to resign in the pre-season. Ex-Socceroo Defender Manfred Schaefer was appointed as coach, and United finished 7th. United's youth policy in which players such as Tony Popovic, Zeljko Kalac, Ante Milicic and Ante Moric was coming to fruition. These players would end up representing Australia in various levels.
1993/94 saw Zeljko Kalac keep an NSL record 12 clean sheets in 26 games. The club finished 3rd after leading the competition.
Branko Culina replaced Schaefer as coach in the 1994/95 season and with a squad consisting of 75% of locally produced players United finished 3rd.
In the 1996/1997 season, under the guidance of Culina, United won another Minor Premiership and subsequently booked itself into its second Grand Final – this time in Brisbane. In front of an Australian Football record of 44,000 people United lost 2-0 to Farina's Brisbane Strikers. Kresimir Maursic was voted Prestigious NSL Player of the Year award and David Zdrillic finished the NSL's leading scorer on 21 goals (Ante Milicic finished 2nd on 19).
However the club lost players to overseas clubs - Popovic, Kalac, Milicic, Zdrilic and Robert Enes.
1997/98 saw former Socceroo striker David Mitchell take over as coach. As expected the club did struggle however finished a respectable 4th with Abbas Saad as its top scorer for the season.
With Paul Bilokapic and Mark Rudan off to Northern Spirit, United won its third NSL Minor Premiership in the 1998/99 season. Led by the inspirational former St. Albans Dinamo defender Velimir Kupresak and more young talent from the youth league such as Jacob Burns, Joel Griffiths and Mile Sterjovski, United reached the NSL Grand Final for the 2nd time. However, in the Grand Final in Melbourne against South Melbourne, United lost 3-2 with goals to Mile Sterjovski and Danny Townsend in front of 15,000 fans.
Then in its darkest period for history for the club, 1999/2000 Sydney United has lost all their players (expect for legend Velimir Kupresak) and their coach to a new "professional" football club called Parramatta Power. (Note: Parramatta Power only lasted for 5 seasons) Ex-Socceroo Defender David Ratcliffe was appointed coach for that season.
Decimated, but still showing guts, United managed to ruffle a few feathers in the 1999/2000 season despite finishing last. The standout out performance was defeating Parramatta Power 1-0 at home to end their final aspirations. Ex-Sibenik and United midfielder Ivan Petkovic took over the reins after Ratcliffe was sacked in Jan 2000.
The 2000s
Former defender Alan Hunter returned to Edensor Park as United's new coach in 2000/01, but he only lasted until Feb 2001 when captain Velimir Kupresak took over as Coach. Croatia 1998 World Cup midfielder Alojsa Asanovic came out for a 2 game stint with United and he scored 1 goal against the Auckland Kingz. United finished 10th after starting the season winning all their first 3 games.Branko Culina came back for a second stint as coach for season 01/02 and finished 11th. In 2002/03 saw the club import 3 Croatian players, goalkeeper Vanja Ivesa and defenders Bozidar Cacic and Boris Pavic. Another poor season, the club finished in 10th and Culina was replaced in January by former United striker Tony Krslovic
Ex-Olympic defender Grant Lee was appointed as coach in 2003/04 saw the club struggle to 10th spot. Highlight of the year was the last round fixture away to United sister club, the Melbourne Knights (Croatia). In front of healthy 8,423 strong crowd, the game on 29 February 2004 which ended up 0-0 saw many flares, celebrations and a mass pitch invasion as this was to be the last NSL game forever.
Subsequently, United's performances in the last few years of the NSL were not great, finishing mainly in the bottom half of the table.
Back to State League
With the death of the NSL, the club once again plays in the New South Wales Premier LeagueNew South Wales Premier League
The New South Wales Premier League is the highest state-level men's soccer competition in New South Wales, Australia. Nationally, it is considered one grade lower than the A-League...
.
With new coach Zlatko Arambasic
Zlatko Arambasic
Zlatko Arambašić is a former Australian football player.-External links:* *...
at the helm in 2005, United started off brilliantly only to limp into 4th place by the end of the season. However, United enjoyed more success with a 3-1 victory over the Belconnen Blue Devils in the Continental Tyres Cup Final at Parramatta Stadium in front of 1,500 ecstatic fans.
In 2006, Arambasic
Zlatko Arambasic
Zlatko Arambašić is a former Australian football player.-External links:* *...
was dismissed as coach, and in stepped Jean-Paul de Marigny as head coach. United started slowly but ended up finishing up 3rd during the season. During the Top 4 Final Series, United then went on to become premiers of the Vodafone NSW Premier League, after beating Blacktown City Demons
Blacktown City Demons
Blacktown City FC, formerly The Demons, are an Australian football club based in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia. The club was formed in 1953 as Toongabbie Soccer Club and changed their name to Blacktown City in 1979...
4-0 in the 2006 Grand Final. The hero of the day was Luka Glavas
Luka Glavas
Luka Glavaš is an Australian football player.-Biography:Luka Glavas is an Australian semi professional football player.Glavaš has previously played for Hurstville Zagreb, Melbourne Knights and Sydney UnitedIn the 2006 NSW Premier League Grand Final against Blacktown City Demons, Glavas scored all...
as he scored all four goals in the game.
2007 - and with Jean-Paul De Marigny
Jean-Paul de Marigny
Jean-Paul de Marigny is a football coach. He was previously the assistant coach of Newcastle United Jets in the A-League, and he also represented Australia as a player. Jean-Paul is currently in charge of Sydney United FC.He has one son, Jake and two daughters: Kayla and Misha.-References:...
leaving the club to pursue a coaching job with FootballNSW, United appointed Bankstown City Lions Assistant Coach Peter Papoythis as head coach.
8 May 2007, United were lying in 8th spot and dismissed Papoythis as coach. This saw another ex-United player in Ante Rumora appointed as coach. United finished the season in 6th spot, 4 points from the top 4.
The club is also a regular participant in the Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament
Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament
The Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament is a tournament run by the Croatian Soccer Federation of Australia and New Zealand, an organisation founded in 1974. The inspiration for the tournament came from the successful Croatian-North American Soccer Tournament founded in 1964...
. A tournament for clubs of
- Coach:Jean-Paul de MarignyJean-Paul de MarignyJean-Paul de Marigny is a football coach. He was previously the assistant coach of Newcastle United Jets in the A-League, and he also represented Australia as a player. Jean-Paul is currently in charge of Sydney United FC.He has one son, Jake and two daughters: Kayla and Misha.-References:...
- Goalkeeper Coach:Mike GIBSONMike GibsonCameron Michael Henderson Gibson MBE is an Irish former rugby union footballer.-Early life:...
- Manager:David REZO
- Manager:Louie APOSTOLOVSKI
- Gear Steward:Raymond GERRIE
- Football Administrator:Louie APOSTOLOVSKI
- President:Sam KRSLOVIC
Senior squad
Youth and Development
When the club arrived in Edensor Park they organised the formation of a junior and youth football club to cater for the many children of United supporters that also wanted to wear the club's colours. The Club is a professional sporting organisation that employs coaches, administrators and groundsmen. Apart from the first grade and under 20's team, the club has the Juniors, who have 26 teams that play in the Southern Districts Soccer Football Association whilst the Youth (Under 13 to U18) consists of 5 teams that play in the NSW Soccer Premier Youth League competition.Sydney United Football Club has a pedigree second to none in producing players that have played professionally overseas and represented Australia at youth and full international level.
During the club's golden period in the 1990s when they dominated the National Soccer League, the majority of the first grade players had come through the Club's own junior ranks. Many of these players now ply their trade in some of the best football leagues around the world and are still an integral part of the Australian national squad.
No other club has had a greater impact on Australian Soccer than Sydney United. The club, at last count, has produced 34 A International Representatives for Australia, a dozen Olympians, and a countless number of Youth Internationals.
In addition, the first Australian to captain an English Premier League club, Tony Popovic of Crystal Palace, is a Sydney United product. This coupled with the fact that another United product, Zeljko Kalac is the first Australian to play for world club giants, AC Milan, emphasizes the contribution of the club to Australian soccer.
Marconi Fairfield
Just living 1 km to the north of Edensor Park in the neighbouring suburb of Bossley Park, is the comparatively rich Marconi-Fairfield club. The Italian backed club has been a rival of United's since 1970 when Marconi got promoted into the NSW State League. The clubs have had some close and tense games between each other:• 1998 Grand Final between the clubs saw the game go onto a penalty shoot-out which Marconi won
• A semi-final game between them in the season of 1997/98 seeing United's Kupresak sent off for headbutting Marconi's Sean Babic on the nose.
Sydney Olympic
The nomads of the NSL and backed by a heavy Greek following, the former club called Pan Hellenic have had rich history with United stemming back from 1963 when they first met at Lambert Park.Both clubs have seen more activity off the field than on especially with transfers of players between the clubs
Players such as Ante Milicic
Ante Milicic
Ante Milicic is an Australian former football player. He is currently one of the assistant managers of A-League club Melbourne Heart. He is of Croatian Australian origin....
, Ned Zelic
Ned Zelic
Nedijeljko "Ned" Zelić is a former Australian football player.-Club career:Zelic started his career in the old Australian National Soccer League,where he played with clubs Sydney Croatia and Sydney Olympic...
, Emil Dragicevic, Labinot Haliti
Labinot Haliti
Labinot Haliti is a football player who plays as striker for the Newcastle Jets in the A-League. He holds Albanian, Australian and Kosovar passports, making him eligible to represent Albania, Australia and the non FIFA-recognised Kosovo.-Club career:Haliti’s story begins in Kosovo’s capital,...
, Jim Patikas
Jim Patikas
Jim Patikas is a former Australian football player. Renowned for his exceptional speed, he was capped 28 times for the Socceroos and played as a forward and midfielder for Sydney City, Sydney Olympic, Sydney Croatia, AEK Athens, Athinaikos and Kastoria....
, Graham Jennings
Graham Jennings
Graham Jennings is a former Australian association footballer, who played predominantly as a defender and was renowned for his speed, earning him the nickname flash. After a distinguished club and international career spanning twenty years, Jennings was inducted into the Australian Football Hall...
, Ante Moric, Eric Hristodoulou
Eric Hristodoulou
Eric Hristodoulou is a retired football player. He represented Australia at under-23 level.Eric was an Australian football player in the National Soccer League where he played for clubs Sydney Olympic, Sydney United and Marconi Fairfield. He was part of the Sydney Olympic squad which won the NSL...
and David Barrett have switched between the clubs over the years.
Northern Spirit/Parramatta Power
Both Northern Spirit and Parramatta Power were clubs admitted into the NSL to promote the league away from "ethnics".Northern Spirit, based in North Sydney became another United rival when it signed former United players Graham Arnold, Robbie Slater, Kresimir Marusic, Paul Bilokapic and Mark Rudan. United, as massive underdogs in season 2000/01 with a depleted team, won 2-1 at North Sydney in wet conditions.
Parramatta Power, backed by the rich Parramatta Eels Rugby League Club, entered the competition in Season 1999/2000 after stealing 16 United players and staff from the season before. United however had the last laugh on them as United defeated Parramatta 1-0 to end their aspirations for a finals berth.
Honours
- NSL Premiers: 1986 (Northern Division), 1996/97, 1998/99
- NSL Grand Final Runner-Up: 1988, 1996/97, 1998/99
- NSL Regular Season Runner-Up (Northern Conference): 1985
- NSL Cup Winners: 1987
- NSL Cup Runner-Up: 1994
- NSL Finalists: 1985, 1986, 1988, 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99
- National Youth League Champions: 1991/1992, 1994/1995
- National Youth League Runner-Up: 1993/1994, 1996/1997
- National Youth League (Northern Division) Champions: 1991/1992, 1993/94, 1994/1995, 1996/97
- NSW State League Champions: 1977, 1982, 1983, 2006
- NSW State League Runner-Up: 1978, 1981, 2011
- NSW State League Premiers: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 2009
- NSW State League Regular Season Runner-Up: 1983
- NSW State League Finalists: 1967, 1970, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- NSW Division 1 Champions: 1962
- NSW Division 2 Champions: 1960
- Continental Cup Winners: 2005
- Ampol Cup Winners: 1986, 1987
- Rothmans Cup Winners: 1974
- Rothmans Cup Runner-Up: 1971, 1976
Internationals
 Australia
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Tony Franken Anthony Franken is a former Australian soccer goalkeeper from Perth, Western Australia. He is widely considered one of Australia's best ever.... Aytek Genc Aytek Genc is a former Turkish Australian football player and was the coach of the Sydney Olympic FC in the NSW Premier League. Considered one of the most technically gifted players in the NSL, he featured in over 350 professional games over a career period of 15 years... Michael Gibson (association footballer) Michael Gibson is an Australian footballer who represented the Australia national football team on 7 occasions.-Club career:... Mike Grbevski Michael Grbevski is an Australian former association football player.-Club career:Grbevski played for St George, Sydney Croatia, Adelaide City and Wollongong Wolves in the National Soccer League before a stint with Rockdale Illenden in the New South Wales State League.-International career:During... Joel Griffiths Joel Griffiths is an Australian football player who currently plays for Beijing Guoan.-Club career:He played for Sydney United, Parramatta Power and Newcastle United in the now defunct National Soccer League... Troy Halpin Troy Michael Halpin is a football player who played for many elite football teams in Australia.-Career:... Alan Hunter (footballer) Alan Hunter was an Australian football player who played for several National Soccer League clubs, most notably for the Brisbane Strikers.... Mile Jedinak Michael John "Mile" Jedinak is an Australian professional football player. He is currently contracted to Crystal Palace of the English Championship... Graham Jennings Graham Jennings is a former Australian association footballer, who played predominantly as a defender and was renowned for his speed, earning him the nickname flash. After a distinguished club and international career spanning twenty years, Jennings was inducted into the Australian Football Hall... Ante Juric Ante Jurić is an Australian association football player and was recently the player/coach for Penrith Nepean United in the New South Wales Premier League in Australia... Željko Kalac Željko Kalac is a retired Australian football goalkeeper. Standing at 2.02m, Kalac is one of the world's tallest professional goalkeepers.... Gabriel Mendez Gabriel Mendez is a former Australian football player.An attacking midfielder, the much-travelled Mendez is a former player of Admira Wacker and Notts County in Europe and for Malaysian side Kedah FA. He is also a former Australia national football team player from 1994-2000.- External links :*... Ante Milicic Ante Milicic is an Australian former football player. He is currently one of the assistant managers of A-League club Melbourne Heart. He is of Croatian Australian origin.... Ante Moric Ante Tomislav Moric is an Australian former professional soccer player who played as a midfielder.-Career:Moric played at club level in Australia and Croatia for St. George, AIS, Sydney United, Zadar, Canberra Cosmos, Sydney Olympic, Fraser Park, APIA Leichhardt Tigers and Rockdale City Suns.He... Žarko Odžakov Žarko Odžakov is a retired footballer who represented Australia 13 times in full international matches. Former Australia coach Ralé Rašić in 2006 picked Odžakov in his greatest Socceroo team.-FK Vardar:... Jim Patikas Jim Patikas is a former Australian football player. Renowned for his exceptional speed, he was capped 28 times for the Socceroos and played as a forward and midfielder for Sydney City, Sydney Olympic, Sydney Croatia, AEK Athens, Athinaikos and Kastoria.... |
Tom Pondeljak Tomislav Pondeljak is an Australian football player, who is currently playing for A-league club Melbourne Victory.-Club career:... Tony Popovic Anthony Popovic is a Croatian Australian former football player. He last played for Sydney FC. He is currently the First Team Coach of Crystal Palace. Popovic grew up in Fairfield, New South Wales.-Early career:... Ray Richards Raymond W. Richards was an American football player and coach on both the collegiate and professional levels, including head coach for the National Football League's Chicago Cardinals.... Bobby Russell Bobby Russell was an American singer and songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, he charted five singles on the Hot Country Songs charts, including the crossover pop hit "Saturday Morning Confusion." Russell was also married to singer and actress Vicki Lawrence from 1972 to 1974.-Career:Russell wrote... Abbas Saad Abbas Saad is an Australian former international football player.-Club career:Born in Lebanon, Saad moved to Australia and started a professional footballing career. A midfielder with a good eye for goal, he played in the Malaysian League for Johor and Singapore in the early 1990s... Wally Savor Wally Savor is an Australian former international soccer player who played professionally as a defender or midfielder for Sydney Croatia.-References:... Robbie Slater Robert "Robbie" Slater is a former Australian footballer and football pundit.-Early years:Slater, a red-haired midfielder, moved to Australia as a youngster and started his playing career in Australia, with various clubs in his youth before joining St George Saints in the National Soccer League in... Mile Sterjovski Mile Sterjovski is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Perth Glory and played for the Australian national team from 2000 to 2010, before he retired from international football after his non-selection for the 2010 FIFA World Cup... Peter Stone Peter Hess Stone was an American writer for theater, television and movies.-Life and career:Stone was born in Los Angeles. His mother, Hilda , was a film writer, and his father, John Stone was the writer and producer of many silent films, including Shirley Temple and Charlie Chan movies... Max Tolson Maxwell "Max" Tolson was on in Wollongong, Australia and is a former football forward. He was a member of the Australian 1974 World Cup squad in West Germany and represented Australia 19 times in total scoring 4 goals as well as representing NSW.-See also:... Brian Turner (Australian footballer) Brian Joseph Turner was an Australian association football player.-Club career:Turner began his football career with New Lambton in the Northern New South Wales State League. In 1969 he spent time with Tottenham in England, though he didn't play a first team match... Robert Trajkovski Robert Trajkovski is an Australian former football player.-Club career:Trajkovski began his senior career with Altona before moving to National Soccer League team Melbourne City. After a season with Melbourne City Trajkovski transferred to Sydney United. He played two season for United between... Billy Vojtek Billy Vojtek is a retired Croatian Australian footballer. He migrated to Australia with his family as a child, he would go on to become one of the leading players in Australia during the 1960s and 70s... Greg Woodhouse Greg Woodhouse is a former football player. He went on to make 24 appearances for the Socceroos as a goalkeeper. He is currently a coach at the International Goalkeepers Academy located at Blacktown Olympic Park which is run by Jim Fraser, another former Socceroo goalkeeper.- References :... Ned Zelic Nedijeljko "Ned" Zelić is a former Australian football player.-Club career:Zelic started his career in the old Australian National Soccer League,where he played with clubs Sydney Croatia and Sydney Olympic... David Zdrilic David Allen Zdrilic is a Croatian Australian football player. He is currently playing for Sydney United in the NSW Premier League. He previously played for in the A-League and has also played in Switzerland, Germany, England and Scotland... |
 Croatia
 New Zealand New Zealand
 Papua New Guinea
 Scotland
 Solomon Islands
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Greatest Clubmen
Goalkeepers:Ron Corry
Ron Corry
Ron Corry is an Australian former association football player and coach. He played as a goalkeeper for before entering a coaching career. He is, as of 2011, a goalkeeping coach at the Australian Institute of Sport.-Club career:...
– An excellent goalkeeper who played with Croatia from 1966 till 1975 and was a coach and goalkeeping coach with Croatia for years teaching the likes of Mark Bosnich and Željko Kalac.
Steven Watson – "Watto" came to Croatia from Granville Magpies in the late 1970s. A great goalkeeper with his traditional moustache, Watson left the club in 1987 after 12 years at Croatia.
Željko Kalac
Željko Kalac
Željko Kalac is a retired Australian football goalkeeper. Standing at 2.02m, Kalac is one of the world's tallest professional goalkeepers....
– "Spider" is a Luddenham Croatia (Bosna) junior who is an Australian representative and currently playing for 2007 European Champions AC Milan in Italy. A United crowd favourite especially at saving penalties.
Other Notable Mentions – Tony Franken
Tony Franken
Anthony Franken is a former Australian soccer goalkeeper from Perth, Western Australia. He is widely considered one of Australia's best ever....
and Mark Bosnich
Mark Bosnich
Mark Bosnich is a retired Australian football player and football pundit. He represented Australia 17 times and played for English Premier League clubs Aston Villa, Manchester United and Chelsea.-Manchester United :...
Defenders:
Velimir Kuprešak – "Big Vel" joined from St. Albans Dinamo Saints in Victoria after coming from NK Borovo in Croatia. The 1998 Victorian Player of the year transferred to United in 1988/89. A hard hitting, passionate, loyal defender during the 1990s, Velimir was always the first player to a header challenge.
Tony Popović
Tony Popovic
Anthony Popovic is a Croatian Australian former football player. He last played for Sydney FC. He is currently the First Team Coach of Crystal Palace. Popovic grew up in Fairfield, New South Wales.-Early career:...
– "Poppa" is a United junior and once captained Crystal Palace in the England top-flight. A tough defender from the 1990s who also had a knack of scoring goals from set pieces. Has just returned home to play for .
Bruno Vidaić – Currently a physiotherapist, Bruno terrorized opposition strikers with his bullocking tackles and stood like a mountain in defence during the late 70's early 80's. His son Ben is currently a striker for Sydney United and the Australian U/17 squad
David Rezo – Another player who played over 100 games for the club scoring 11 goals, the current Sydney United Manager was a speedy fullback with long blonde locks in his time during the 1980s at the club.
Other Notable Mentions – Greg Smith, Vedran Rožić
Vedran Rožic
Vedran Rožić is a former Croatian football player. He capped 10 times for Yugoslavia. He played with the team at the 1979 Mediterranean Games....
, Tom Basić and Mark Babić
Midfielders:
Wally Savor
Wally Savor
Wally Savor is an Australian former international soccer player who played professionally as a defender or midfielder for Sydney Croatia.-References:...
– The lanky midfielder was first a striker in the late 1978 season before being pushed back in the engine room. With more than 250 appearances for the club, Wally has played for the Socceroos as a fullback, but his skill in the Number 8 jersey for Croatia during the early 80's will never be forgotten.
Maurice Sullivan – "Frenchie" as he was known (born in Mauritius) was a star midfielder playing in excess of 200 games for Croatia. A great club man, he played for Croatia for 13 years
Ivan Petković – "Petka" came from NK Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia for the 1986 and played over 120 games from the club. A midfield general, Petka did coach United as a caretaker during the 1999/2000 season and has returned to the club as head coach for season 2007/2008.
Other Notable Mentions – Žarko Odžakov
Žarko Odžakov
Žarko Odžakov is a retired footballer who represented Australia 13 times in full international matches. Former Australia coach Ralé Rašić in 2006 picked Odžakov in his greatest Socceroo team.-FK Vardar:...
, Eduardo Massey, Krešimir Marušić
Krešimir Marušic
Krešimir Marušić , was an Australian football player who played for several National Soccer League clubs, including Melbourne Knights, Sydney United, Carlton SC, Northern Spirit FC and Sydney Olympic...
and Ante Rumora
Strikers:
Manis Lamond
Manis Lamond
Manis Lamond is a retired soccer player from Papua New Guinea. An international who played as a striker, Lamond played professionally in Australia for Canberra City, Sydney United, A.P.I.A. Leichhardt Tigers, Wollongong City, Marconi Stallions and Newcastle United.-References:...
– Papua New Guinean International and crowd favourite playing for Canberra City when Croatia bought him for an NSL Record transfer fee of $32,000. Lamond played for the club from 1986 until the 1994/95 season scoring 44 goals. Currently living in Perth.
Mate Goreta and Mile Bičanić – two of Croatia's best strikers from the late 1950s and 1960s, both gentlemen have guided the club behind the scenes for decades.
Graham Arnold
Graham Arnold
Graham James Arnold is a former coach of the Australian national football team. He was appointed to work as an assistant to Frank Farina in 2000. The two replaced Raul Blanco, who was the interim coach in charge after Terry Venables decided not to renew his contract with Soccer Australia after...
– "Arnie" joined Croatia from Canterbury-Marrickville in 1982 before leaving in the 1989/1990 seasons. An Australian International, he scored over 80 goals for the club and was voted NSW Player of the year in 1985, NSL Player of the year in 1986 and Top scorer in the NSL in 15 in 1986. Also a kicking coach for some rugby league teams/players but currently Australia's Football Assistant Coach to Pim Veerbeek.
Marijan Kovačić – "Curly" was the man-in-the-hole player during the late 70's and early 80's and everything that he touched turned into goals. Another star player from the Sydney Croatia junior ranks along with his fullback brother Alex, Marijan scored 55 goals for the club.
Ante Miličić
Ante Milicic
Ante Milicic is an Australian former football player. He is currently one of the assistant managers of A-League club Melbourne Heart. He is of Croatian Australian origin....
– A Sydney Croatia Junior and a strong speedy striker, Ante gives his full commitment to the club on and off the field. When asked to transfer to Sydney Olympic for a reported $110,000 to help his club out of financial difficulty, Ante duly helped his club out. With 51 goals for United and currently playing with Malaysian Premier League team Shahzan Muda FC, Ante is the only current playing legend of Sydney United/Croatia Football Club.
Atti Aboyni – The Hungarian born, former Australian winger/striker played for St. George Budapest before joining Croatia. He helped them to achieve their first Premiership in 1977 and scored 74 goals in 89 games (from 1977 till 1979) at Croatia at an amazing strike rate of 1 goal every 1.20 games
Other Notable Mentions – Robbie Slater
Robbie Slater
Robert "Robbie" Slater is a former Australian footballer and football pundit.-Early years:Slater, a red-haired midfielder, moved to Australia as a youngster and started his playing career in Australia, with various clubs in his youth before joining St George Saints in the National Soccer League in...
, Jim Patikas
Jim Patikas
Jim Patikas is a former Australian football player. Renowned for his exceptional speed, he was capped 28 times for the Socceroos and played as a forward and midfielder for Sydney City, Sydney Olympic, Sydney Croatia, AEK Athens, Athinaikos and Kastoria....
, David Zdrilić
David Zdrilic
David Allen Zdrilic is a Croatian Australian football player. He is currently playing for Sydney United in the NSW Premier League. He previously played for in the A-League and has also played in Switzerland, Germany, England and Scotland...
, Marcos Silva, Tony Krslović and Vic Reynolds
Coaches:
Branko Čulina
Branko Culina
Branko Čulina is a football coach and former player. He is currently without a club after being sacked by Newcastle Jets.-Club career:...
– A former player of United, he coached United from 1994 until 1997 and again from 2001 until 2003. A masterful tactician, United reached the NSL Grand Final with him at the helm in 1996.
Vedran Rožić
Vedran Rožic
Vedran Rožić is a former Croatian football player. He capped 10 times for Yugoslavia. He played with the team at the 1979 Mediterranean Games....
– Former HNK Hajduk Split player who joined Sydney Croatia in 1984 as a defender, he was thrust into the coaching ranks in 1984 as Croatia's 6th coach for that season. As player/coach, he guided Croatia to a Minor Premiership in 1986 and Runners-up to Marconi in 1988. He was a player/coach for more than 100 games for Sydney Croatia.
Other Notable Former Players
Aljoša AsanovićAljoša Asanovic
Aljoša Asanović is a retired Croatian soccer player best known from his performances in the mid-to-late 90's when he played for Derby County and for Croatia during Euro 96 and World Cup 98...
Francis Awaritefe
Francis Awaritefe
Francis Edgar Awaritefe is an Australian former football player, and is currently Director of Football at Melbourne Victory...
Jason Čulina
Jason Culina
Jason Culina is an Australian footballer who plays for the Australia national football team.- Club career :Culina started off with Sydney United under his father, Branko, before moving on to Ajax where he struggled in the reserves. Only after moving to FC Twente did Culina begin to shine at the...
Craig Foster (footballer)
Craig Foster (footballer)
Craig Foster is an Australian former association football player. He is currently a sports commentator for the Special Broadcasting Service in Australia...
Tony Franken
Tony Franken
Anthony Franken is a former Australian soccer goalkeeper from Perth, Western Australia. He is widely considered one of Australia's best ever....
Joel Griffiths
Joel Griffiths
Joel Griffiths is an Australian football player who currently plays for Beijing Guoan.-Club career:He played for Sydney United, Parramatta Power and Newcastle United in the now defunct National Soccer League...
Alan Hunter
Alan Hunter (footballer)
Alan Hunter was an Australian football player who played for several National Soccer League clubs, most notably for the Brisbane Strikers....
Troy Halpin
Troy Halpin
Troy Michael Halpin is a football player who played for many elite football teams in Australia.-Career:...
Eddie Krnčević
Eddie Krncevic
Edward "Eddie" Krnčević is a retired Australian footballer who played as a striker, and a current manager.The son of Croatian immigrants, he played most of his professional career in Belgium.-Football career:...
Commins Menapi
Commins Menapi
Commins Menapi is a Solomon Islands striker, who is currently a Marist FC player.-Club career:He has also played for YoungHeart Manawatu in New Zealand, Sydney United of the old National Soccer League in Australia and for Marist FC, a club from the Solomon Islands.In the 2006-2007 season, he...
Ante Miličić
Ante Milicic
Ante Milicic is an Australian former football player. He is currently one of the assistant managers of A-League club Melbourne Heart. He is of Croatian Australian origin....
Stuart Munro
Stuart Munro
Stuart Munro is a Scottish former professional football player who is best known for his time with Rangers....
(1997–98) 21 apps 0 goals Tom Pondeljak
Tom Pondeljak
Tomislav Pondeljak is an Australian football player, who is currently playing for A-league club Melbourne Victory.-Club career:...
Liam Reddy
Liam Reddy
Liam Reddy is an Australian football player who is currently on a three year contract with the Hyundai A-League team, Sydney FC-Club career:...
Mark Rudan
Mark Rudan
Mark Rudan is a former Australian football player who last played for Adelaide United in the A-League.-Club career:...
David Seal
David Seal
David Seal is a former Australian football player who is currently retired. He played as a striker.-Career:Seal started his career in the old National Soccer League in Australia where he played for Sydney Croatia, Marconi Fairfield and Sydney Olympic and was the NSL top goal scorer two years in...
Robbie Slater
Robbie Slater
Robert "Robbie" Slater is a former Australian footballer and football pundit.-Early years:Slater, a red-haired midfielder, moved to Australia as a youngster and started his playing career in Australia, with various clubs in his youth before joining St George Saints in the National Soccer League in...
Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh
Stephen Rodger "Steve" Waugh, AO is a former Australian cricketer and fraternal twin of cricketer Mark Waugh. A right-handed batsman, he was also a successful medium-pace bowler...
Mark Waugh
Mark Waugh
Mark Edward Waugh AM is a former Australian cricketer, who represented Australia in Test matches from early 1991 to late 2002, and made his One-Day International debut in 1988. Waugh is regarded as one of the most elegant and gifted stroke makers to ever play the game. His nickname is "Junior" as...
Mile Sterjovski
Mile Sterjovski
Mile Sterjovski is an Australian football player, who currently plays for Perth Glory and played for the Australian national team from 2000 to 2010, before he retired from international football after his non-selection for the 2010 FIFA World Cup...
David Zdrilić
David Zdrilic
David Allen Zdrilic is a Croatian Australian football player. He is currently playing for Sydney United in the NSW Premier League. He previously played for in the A-League and has also played in Switzerland, Germany, England and Scotland...
Ned Zelić
Ned Zelic
Nedijeljko "Ned" Zelić is a former Australian football player.-Club career:Zelic started his career in the old Australian National Soccer League,where he played with clubs Sydney Croatia and Sydney Olympic...
Tim Cahill
Tim Cahill
Timothy Filiga "Tim" Cahill is an football player of Australian nationality who plays for Everton and the Australian national football team...
Mile Jedinak
Mile Jedinak
Michael John "Mile" Jedinak is an Australian professional football player. He is currently contracted to Crystal Palace of the English Championship...
Aytek Genc
Aytek Genc
Aytek Genc is a former Turkish Australian football player and was the coach of the Sydney Olympic FC in the NSW Premier League. Considered one of the most technically gifted players in the NSL, he featured in over 350 professional games over a career period of 15 years...
Club Records
- Best Result: W 7-0 v Collingwood(h) 8.12.96
- Worst Result: L 0-5 v Olympic(h) 28.3.93
- Best Crowd: 16 614 v Marconi 23.2.97
- Coaches-Most Games: Branko Culina 133 Games W62-D32-L39
- Most Games Played: 250 Velimir Kupresak 89/90-00/01
- Most Goals Scored: 67 Graham Arnold 178 Games
- Most Goals in Season: 21 David Zdrillic 96/97
- Best Games to Goal Ratio: 0.58 David Seal 18 goals/31 games
- Youngest Player: 16yr 90d Jason Culina 3.11.96
See also
- List of Croatian football clubs in Australia
- Australian-Croatian Soccer TournamentAustralian-Croatian Soccer TournamentThe Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament is a tournament run by the Croatian Soccer Federation of Australia and New Zealand, an organisation founded in 1974. The inspiration for the tournament came from the successful Croatian-North American Soccer Tournament founded in 1964...
- Croatian AustralianCroatian AustralianCroatia has been a source of migrants to Australia, particularly in the 1960s and 1970s. In 2006, 128,051 persons resident in Australia identified themselves as having Croatian ancestry.- History :...
- Melbourne KnightsMelbourne KnightsMelbourne Knights Football Club is a football club representing Melbourne, Australia in the Victorian Premier League . The club is one of the most successful football clubs in Australia, being a two-time championship and four-time premiership winner in the now defunct National Soccer League...
- sister club to Sydney United