Sydney United

Football club infobox
clubname = Hrvatski Nogometni Klub Sydney United
current = New South Wales Premier League 2008


fullname = Sydney United
Football Club
nickname = United, Croatia
founded = 1957
ground = Sydney United Sports Centre
(also known to fans as 'King Tom')
capacity = 12 000
chairman =
manager = Ivan Petković
league = NSWPL
season = NSWPL 2006
position = Premiers
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Sydney United Football Club are an Australian football (soccer) club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian immigrants 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 plays their home games at Edensor Park in Sydney's western suburbs.

The Ground

Sydney Croatia Football (soccer) Club made permanent their move from the city to the United Sports Centre in Edensor Park in 1981. The ground is better known to fans as King Tom. The ground has a capacity of 12,000. The main stand is the Boka stand, Boka being the main sponsor of the project. Within the Boka stand there is the Senator's Club. This is for life time 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 and now 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 in its first season in 1958 in the old NSW Soccer Football Association (NSWSFA) where they did not lose a single match in that season.

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 were promoted to the First Division where they were amongst the elite teams in not only NSW but Australia. 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 saw a name change from Croatia to Metropolitan Adriatic and then back to Croatia in 1966. This however was not the last name change for Croatia. The NSWSF ordered Croatia and Yugal in 1968 to anglicise there 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 of Sydney with the local Croatian club at Surry Hills.

After a few lean seasons in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Croatia won their first NSW Premiership in 1977 under the guidance of Luka Fabijinic as coach and the skill of the great Atti Aboyni as the team's powerhouse striker. The team beat Auburn in front of a crowd of in excess of 6,500 at the Sydney Sports Ground to win 2-0.

Aboyni then in 1978 took over as Captain/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 in the Grand Final Replay (the first was a 1-1 Draw), Croatia lost to Sutherland 2-1 in front of 9,700 fans.

Aboyni then coach again in 1979 to another Minor Premiership before quitting after Croatia lost in the Premlinary Final to Sutherland 2-0.

The 1980s

1980 had arrived and Croatia then purchased a block of land in Sydney's west to call their new home. This home is what is known as the Sydney United Sports Centre at Edensor Park.The successful years then rolled on with Croatia winning Minor Premierships in 1981 and 82 and winning the Premiership in 1982 and 1983.

In the early 1980s Sydney Croatia were often drawing home attendances of 10,000 in the NSW state league. Yet the National League Clubs of the time 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 not appropriate for clubs to enter the league under nationalistic titles. 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, and under that name.

1984 also saw a record established by the new NSL club. Throughout the season, the club had 6 coaches with Aboyni, Harry Noon and Mick Jones sacked, Bill Bicanacic and Bruno Vidaic taking the role has caretakers and finally Vedran Rozic taking over. Rozic was brought over from Croatian football club Hajduk Split as a sweeper but took the role as player/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 – this time the Beach Fashions Cup with a 2-0 aggregate victory of South Melbourne with Croatia strikers Robbie Slater and Graham Arnold scoring.

However in 1988, after finishing second in the normal season, Sydney Croatia made its first NSL Grand Final playing neighbours Marconi-Fairfield at Parramatta Stadium. In front of a big 17,000 strong crowd saw goals by Alan Hunter and Manis Lamond for Croatia with Frank Farina and Zlatko Nastevski scoring for Marconi. With the game ending at 2-2 after extra time, the teams went to a penalty shootout, and with the score at 4-4, Croatia's young midfielder Shane Clinch hit the post with his spot kick. Marconi veteran Tony Henderson stepped up to beat Croatia's Tony Franken to slot home the winner 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 while we are still going strong.)" 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 the 29th of 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 League.

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.

May 8, 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 Croatian origin to play against each other. The club is the current holders of the title. United hosted the tournament on 2006, and won the final against Sydney United All-Age, in one sided final 4-0.

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 1990’s 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.

Rivalries

Croatia had have some fierce rivals in their time.

Marconi Fairfield

Just living 1km 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 seing 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, Ned Zelic, Emil Dragicevic, Jim Patikas, Graham Jennings, Ante Moric, Eric Hristodoulou and David Barrett have switched between the clubs over the years.

Ex-Yugoslav Clubs

In the 1970s and early 80's "Yugoslav" club Yugal (previously known as Yugal-Ryde, now defunct) was a constant rival on and off the field with United. Games between the clubs would often result in fan violence which some time will spill onto the field.

In addition, the club has a rivalry with Serbian-backed side Bonnyrigg White Eagles, which has also resulted in violence at times, most recently in 2005.

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 Minor Premiers: 1986 (Northern Division), 1996/97, 1998/99
*NSL Runners Up: 1988, 1996/97, 1998/99
*NSL Cup Winners: 1987
*NSL Cup Runners Up: 1994
*NSL Finalists: 1985, 1986, 1988, 1993/94, 1994/95, 1995/96, 1996/97, 1997/98, 1998/99
*NSW State League Champions: 1977, 1982, 1983, 2006
*NSW State League Runners Up: 1978, 1981
*NSW State League Minor Premiers: 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1982
*Continental Cup Winners: 2005
*Rothmans Cup Winners: 1974

Australian Internationals

Sydney United has produced 58 Socceroos.

*Atti Abonyi
*Zlatko Arambasic
*Walter Ardone
*Graham Arnold
*Francis Awaritefe
*Mark Babic
*Zeljko Babic
*Paul Bilokapic
*Mark Bosnich
*Ken Boden
*Jacob Burns
*Tim Cahill
*Pablo Cardozo
*Jason Culina
*Ron Corry
*John Davies
*John Doyle
*Robert Enes
*Craig Foster
*Tony Franken
*Aytek Genc
*Mike Gibson
*Ron Giles
*Mike Grbevski
*Joel Griffiths
*Troy Halpin
*Robert Hooker
*Alan Hunter
*Mile Jedinak
*Graham Jennings
*Zeljko Kalac
*Eddy Krncevic
*Tony Krslovic
*Ante Milicic
*John McDonald
*David Mitchell
*Ante Moric
*Kevin Mullen
*Zarko Odzakov
*Jim Patikas
*Tom Pondeljak
*Tony Popovic
*Ray Richards
*John Russell
*Abbas Saad
*Wally Savor
*Hilton Silva
*Robbie Slater
*Mile Sterjovski
*Peter Stone
*Max Tolson
*Robert Trajkovski
*Billy Vojtek
*Greg Woodhouse
*Brett Woods
*Denis Yaager
*Ned Zelic
*David Zdrilic

Other Internationals

*Manis Lamond - Papua New Guniea
*Commins Menapi - Solomon Islands
*Ante Seric - Croatia
*Aljosa Asanovic - Croatia
*Vedran Rozic - Yugoslavia
*Stuart Munro - Scotland

Greatest Clubmen

Goalkeepers:

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 ALeague SFC.

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 Odzakov, 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 thrusted 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

{|valign="top"
*flagicon|CroatiaAljoša Asanović
*flagicon|AustraliaFrancis Awaritefe
*flagicon|AustraliaJason Čulina
*flagicon|AustraliaCraig Foster (footballer)
*flagicon|AustraliaTony Franken
*flagicon|AustraliaJoel Griffiths
*flagicon|AustraliaAlan Hunter
*flagicon|AustraliaTroy Halpin
*flagicon|AustraliaEddie Krnčević
*flagicon|PNGManis Lamond
*flagicon|Solomon IslandsCommins Menapi
*flagicon|AustraliaAnte Miličić
*flagicon|Scotland Stuart Munro (1997-98) 21 apps 0 goals
*flagicon|England Marcus Phillips (1997-98) 17 apps 2 goals
*flagicon|AustraliaTom Pondeljak
*flagicon|AustraliaLiam Reddy
*flagicon|AustraliaMark Rudan
*flagicon|AustraliaWally Savor
*flagicon|AustraliaDavid Seal
*flagicon|AustraliaRobbie Slater
*flagicon|AustraliaMile Sterjovski
*flagicon|AustraliaDavid Zdrilić
*flagicon|AustraliaNed Zelić
*flagicon|AustraliaTim Cahill
*flagicon|AustraliaLuka Glavaš
*flagicon|KosovoLabinot Haliti
*flagicon|AustraliaMile Jedinak

"See Also: "

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: 11 614 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

Current Squad

Goalkeepers

* 1.
* 20. Steven Minovski
* 30. Vedran Janjetović

Defenders
* 2. Ricky Perinich
* 3. Joe Morić
* 4. Milan Bosnar
* 5. Damon Collina
* 6. Joe Vrkić (C)
* 17. Paul Curjak
* 21. Sash Trajcevski

Midfielders
* 7. Todd Brodie
* 8. Steven Tresoglavić
* 14. Peter Marković
* 15. Christopher Boyle
* 18. Andrija Petković
* 19. Mitchell Thompson
* 23. Ivan Bosnar

Strikers
* 9. Christian Soares
* 11.
* 13.
* 16. Elsid Barkhousir
* 22. Denis Cutura

Coach - Ivan Petković
Assistant Coach - Antony Zmire
Manager - David Rezo

Links

*List of Croatian football clubs in Australia
*Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament
*Croatian Australian
*
*Melbourne Knights - sister club to Sydney United

External links

* [http://www.sydneyunited.com.au Official Website of the Sydney United FC]
* [http://www.sydneycroatia.net Sydney Croatia.net - Supporters Site]
* [http://www.unitedlegion.com/forum United Legion - Supporters Forum]