North Geelong Warriors FC
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fullname = North Geelong Warriors Soccer Club|frameless]] | |||
| Nickname(s) | Warriors, Croatia | ||
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| Founded | 1967 | ||
| Ground | Croatian Sports Centre, Elcho Park | ||
| Capacity | 4,000 | ||
| Chairman | Stan Demo | ||
| Coach | Ian Williamson | ||
| League | Victorian State League Division 2 NW | ||
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The North Geelong Warriors Soccer Club, (previously known as North Geelong Croatia), is a Croatian backed football (soccer) club from the regional Victorian city of Geelong. The club continues to have strong links to and support from the city’s large Croatian community. The club is a regular participant in the Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament, which it hosted in 1983. The club currently competes in the Victorian Sate League Division 2 North West.
History
North Geelong Croatia was formed in 1967 by newly arrived Croatian migrants in Geelong. The club slowly moved its way up the Victorian leagues. By 1972 the club was competing in the Victorian Provisional League. But that year would prove to be a dark year for the club. North Geelong was expelled from the Victorian Provisional League after an altercation in a match with Werribee. North Geelong was accepted back into the Geelong competition in 1973, but did not re-enter the Victorian Provisional League until 1979.
By 1984 the club had risen up to Division 2 where they remained until they won the Division 2 title in 1989, betting promoted Division 1. 1990 saw Melbourne Croatia legend Brank Culina take over as coach, he would lead the side for 3 seasons. He would go on to have an incredible impact on the club in what would be its most successful period. In 1991 they won the Division 1 title, finishng a point ahead of Knox City. So in 1992 the club entered the Victorian Premier league for the very first time. In its inaugural season the club surprised everyone finishing first and collecting the Minor Premiership. The club went on to make the Grand Final. They faced former National Soccer League champions Brunswick Juventus at Middle Park. North Geelong’s George Karkaletsis opened the scoring on the 22nd minute. Brunswick equalized 4 minutes later. The match remained 1-1 at full time, taking it into extra time. North Geelong ripped Brunswick apart scoring 3 unanswered goals from Adrian Cervinski, Robert Markovac and Robert Cosic. It was an unprecedented event, the only time a newly promoted side had won the title in their first season. Players in this championship side included Steve Horvat, Adrain Cervinski and David Cervinski. All three players would become successful players in the National Soccer League. All three were a part of the Melbourne Knights National Soccer League championship side of the mid 90s.
1993 was another successful season. The club finished third in the regular season, making the finals for a second year in a row. But this time their finals campaign did not prove to rewarding as in the previous season. The club lost both its finals matches, including a heartbreaking loss in extra time to Sunshine George Cross.
The next three seasons saw the club miss out on finals action, finishing mid table. But some joy came with the club producing another star player in Josip Skoko. 1997 proved to be a disastrous season for the club, finishing 2nd last and being relegated to Division 1. In 1999 the club was relegated to Division 2. It had been a quick fall from the top. The club remained in Division 2 for the next 6 seasons, with poor results. All that changed by 2005, club legends Adrian Cervinski and David Cervinski had returned to the club. The club won the championship in 2005, losing only 4 matches and being promoted to Division 1.
The club went into the 2006 Division 1 season with high hopes, they were undefeated in their first 7 games. But slowly they fell away, eventually finishing a respectable 4th and missing out on promotion to the Victorian Premier League.
Honours
- Victorian Premier League Champions 1992
- Victorian Premier League Minor Premiers 1992
- Victorian Premier League Finalists (Playoffs) 1992, 1993
- Victorian State League Division 1 Champions 1991
- Victorian State League Division 2 Champions 1989, 2005
Individual Honours
Victorian Premier League Gold Medal - VPL Player of the Year
- 1992 - Bogdan Bonk
- 1994 - Josip Skoko
Bill Fleming Medal - Media voted VPL Player of the Year
- 1993 - David Cervinski
Victorian Premier league Coach of the Year
- 1992 - Branko Culina
Victorian Premier League Under 21 Player of the Year
- 1994 - Josip Skoko
Victorian Premier League Jim Rooney Medal - Grand Final Man of the Match
- 1992 - David Cervinski
Weinstein Medal Junior Player of the Year
- 1992 - Josip Skoko
- 2005 - Matthew Spiranovic
Notable Former Players
- Francis Awaritefe
- Bogdan Bonk
- Adrian Cagalj
- Adrian Cervinski
- David Cervinski
- Ante Deak
- Joey Didulica
- Chris Emsovski
- Steve Horvat
- Robert Markovac
- Denis Morovic
- Richard O'Sullivan
- Joey Rahjer
- Josip Skoko
- Matthew Spiranovic
- Mijo Trupkovic
- Marijan Vundrel
- Branko Culina coached the club
Current squad
- Adrian Purgaric
- Mijo Trupkovic - Captain
- Jason Andrus
- Joshua Berta
- Marko Bilic
- Adrian Cervinski
- David Cervinski
- Dwayne Davis
- Ante Deak
- Matthew Demo
- Marko Devcic
- Daniel Dragicevic
- Nenad Dugandzic
- Cory Galea
- Jasmin Ikanovic
- Jonathan Ioannou
- Emmanuel Karas
- Sime Kovacevic
- David Kung
- Jason Malesic
- Lyndon Malesic
- Adam Matijevic
- Bojan Misljenovic
- Nicholas Mitrov
- Daniel Ortiz
- Alan Paleka
- Mark Paleka
- Daniel Pancic
- John Patti
- Michael Radojevic
- Robert Rubinich
- Robert Sarcevic
- Mark Saric
- Greg Saric
- Matthew Sheen
- Chris Siketa
- Anthony Tabak
- Nicholas Thompson
- Steven Tillinger
- David Vodopic
- Coach: John Hrkac
- Technical Consultant: Eddie Krncevic
Transfers
Rumours in the English Press have been circulating that Ivory Coast star Didier Drogba has demanded a transfer to North Geelong Warriors. "They have the players, the facilities, and the potential to become a championship-winning club," he told reporters at The Geelong Advertiser. "I want to feel I'm in a competitive environment again, fighting for my place in the squad."
Drogba's admission has stirred up confessions from other professional footballers. Cesc Fabregas, star of Arsenal, has sensationally claimed that he is not ruling out any moves to North Geelong. "Wenger's a great coach, but so is Vinko," he stated enthusiastically. "I want a team that is fighting for trophies, not losing to Hull."
Links
- List of Croatian football clubs in Australia
- Croatian Australian
- Category:Croatian-Australian Socceroos