Hamilton Croatia

Hamilton Croatia
Full name Hamilton Croatia
Founded 1957
League HDSL Premier Division

Hamilton Croatia is a Croatian Canadian amateur soccer team founded in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada in 1957. It is supported by the Croatian Sports and Community Centre of Hamilton Inc. (formerly the Croatian National Sports Club of Hamilton, Inc.).

The team plays in the Hamilton & District Premier Soccer League's Elite Division.

Hamilton Croatia also competes annually in such competitions as the Ontario Cup, various League Cups, the Hamilton Spectator Cup, and the Croatian National Soccer Federation's North American Tournament held every Labour Day weekend at sites across Canada and the United States.

In September of 2011, Hamilton Croatia hosted the 48th Annual Croatian National Soccer Federation of Canada & U.S.A’s Men’s Soccer Tournament. It was widely considered the most successful tournament in recent years.

History

In its opening match in 1957, Hamilton Croatia defeated Hamilton Sparta 2-1, with Pavle Usenica scoring the first-ever goal in club history.

Throughout its history Hamilton Croatia has hosted international friendly matches with Croatian club teams such as 1967 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup winners Dinamo Zagreb, NK Medjugorje, NK Croatia Brihovo, NK Vukovar '91, NK Karlovac, HSK Zrinjski Mostar, as well as Vasas Budapest SC, one of Hungary's major sports clubs.

Some notable Croatian players to have worn a Hamilton Croatia jersey were Zeljko Adzic, Slavko Cetina, Vlado Crnjak, Berislav Krilic, Stjepan Loparic, Vlado Palijan, Ivica Tankovic, and Nediljko Simic. Notable non-Croat players include 1976 Canadian Olympians Kevin Grant and Olympic team captain Jimmy Douglas, as well as former United Soccer Leagues First Division All-Star Jamie Dodds.

Hamilton Croatia was a professional team from 1970-to-1976 when they played in the National Soccer League, the high point being in 1970 when the club was crowned champions of Canada.

On January 22, 2010 it was announced that Hamilton Croatia would return to professional soccer by joining the Canadian Soccer League for the 2010 season.

In 2010 the team led the CSL in fan support, finished the regular season in third place, and made it to the CSL Playoff Final where they eventually lost to the Brantford Galaxy SC at Centennial Park Stadium in Etobicoke on October 31, 2010.

After their one successful season it was announced on February 11, 2011 that the club's executive board decided to withdraw from the league.

Past Achievements

1958 Tournament of Canadian-Croatian Soccer Clubs at London Champions
1958 Southern Ontario Soccer Association Champions
1963 Tournament of Southern Ontario Soccer Clubs Champions
1963 Tournament of Canadian-Croatian Soccer Clubs Champions
1963 Inter-City League Champions
1964 Hamilton Spectator Cup Champions
1965 2nd CNSF of Canada & USA Tournament, host Chicago Hrvat Champions
1965 Ontario Cup Semi-Finals
1965 Hamilton Spectator Cup Champions
1965 Inter-City League Champions
1967 4th CNSF of Canada & USA Tournament, host Milwaukee Orlovi Runners-up
1969 6th CNSF of Canada & USA Tournament, host Toronto Croatia Champions
1970 National Soccer League Playoffs Champions
1970 National Soccer League Runners-up
1971 8th CNSF of Canada & USA Tournament, host Chicago CBP Runners-up
1971 National Soccer League Third Place
1972 National Soccer League Third Place
1975 12th CNSF of Canada & USA Tournament, host Cleveland Croatia Runners-up
1977 14th CNSF of Canada & USA Tournament, host Chicago Hrvat Third Place
1986 23rd CNSF of Canada & USA Tournament, host Toronto Zagreb Third Place
1989 Hamilton & District Soccer League Cup Champions
1990 Hamilton Spectator Cup Runners-up
1991 Hamilton & District Soccer League Cup Champions
1992 Hamilton & District Soccer League Cup Champions
1993 30th CNSF of Canada & USA Tournament, host Hamilton Croatia Runners-up
1997 Hamilton & District-Peninsula Challenge Cup Champions
1997 South Region Cup Champions
1997 Hamilton & District Soccer League First Division Champions
1997 34th CNSF of Canada & USA Tournament, host Oakville Velebit Third Place
2002 Hamilton & District Soccer League Playoffs Champions
2002 Hamilton & District Soccer League First Division Champions
2003 Hamilton & District Soccer League Premier Division Runners-up
2004 Hamilton Spectator Cup Champions
2004 Hamilton & District Soccer League Premier Division Runners-up
2004 Hamilton & District Soccer League Playoffs Champions
2005 Ontario Soccer League South Region Runners-up
2005 42nd CNSF of Canada & USA Tournament, host Sudbury Adria Third Place
2005 Hamilton Spectator Cup Champions
2006 Ontario Soccer League South Region Runners-up
2007 Hamilton Spectator Cup Champions
2007 Ontario Soccer League South Region Runners-up
2007 Ontario Cup Semi-Finals
2008 Hamilton Spectator Cup Runners-up
2008 Ontario Soccer League Frank Docherty Cup Runners-up
2008 Ontario Soccer League South Region Champions
2009 Ontario Cup Semi-Finals
2009 Hamilton Spectator Cup Champions
2009 Ontario Soccer League Alf Beese Cup Champions
2009 Ontario Soccer League Provincial West Division Champions
2010 Canadian Soccer League Regular Season Third Place
2010 Canadian Soccer League Playoffs Runners-up
2011 Hamilton & District Soccer League Premier Division Runners-up
2012 Hamilton & District Soccer League Premier Division Runners-up
2013 Hamilton & District Soccer League Premier Division Champions
2013 Hamilton & District Soccer League Premier Division Playoffs Champions
2013 Hamilton & District Soccer League Cup Champions

References and External links