Hurstville FC

Hurstville
Full name Hurstville Football Club
Nickname(s) Zagreb
Founded 1970
Ground Hurstville Oval Velodrome
Capacity 1,000
Chairman John Gagro
League New South Wales State League Division 2

Hurstville Football Club (formally Hurstville Zagreb Football Club) is a soccer club based in the suburb of Hurstville, Sydney, Australia. The club was founded in 1970, by Croatian Australians.

History

In November 1970 Hurstville Zagreb Soccer Club's humble beginnings began in the New South Wales Soccer Association playing out of the St George district. While playing in these surroundings the club won numerous minor premierships and grand finals.

In 1991 the club was promoted into the New South Wales Soccer Federation in Division Five. It has been in this league where Hurstville Zagreb SC has really shone through. In ten years the club has moved up through the divisions playing as high as the State Super League in the 2004 and 2005 seasons. The club proudly plays its soccer in Division One.

Over the years the club has been involved in the development of a number of Socceroos and professional footballers, such as, Ante Milicic, Ante Covic, Eddy Bosnar, Mark Rudan and Luka Glavas. These players only represent the tip of the iceberg of players who come through the ranks of Hurstville Zagreb SC.

Every year, Zagreb also hosts the Martin Knezevic Cup in memory of former player, coach and friend, Martin Knezevic.

Zagreb has become the second largest Croatian soccer club in Sydney, after Sydney United. The club currently competes in the New South Wales State League Division One, the third highest league in NSW. The club hosted the Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament in 1999.

In 2010, Zagreb celebrated its 40th anniversary on 1 May. The club hosted a successful Gala Night at the Croatian Club Punchbowl which featured all the players from the original 1970 team as well as the 2010 team.

Despite a disappointing season, Zagreb attended the 36th Australian-Croatian Soccer Tournament where they finished third, missing out on the grand final by a solitary goal and defeating Canberra Deakin and St Albans Saints respectively.

At Football NSW's annual Silver Medal Dinner awards ceremony, captain Vjekoslav Steve Zoric was named as New South Wales State League Division One player of the season.

Hurstville Oval

Hurstville Oval, located on Dora Street, Hurstville is where Zagreb host their home games. It is a picturesque and famous sporting venue. Situated in the St.George District, the ground has a small grandstand and the recently constructed Booth-Saunders Pavilion. Hurstville oval also hosted St.George District Rugby League Football Club, St.George Rugby Union, St.George Cricket and the St.George Australian Rules.

Season League Points Position
1974 New South Wales Inter Suburban 3rd Division 19 8th
1975 New South Wales Inter Suburban 3rd Division 31 3rd
1976 New South Wales Inter Suburban 2nd Division 20 7th
1977 New South Wales Division 5 27 3rd
1978 New South Wales Division 4 23 6th
1979 New South Wales Division 3 18 8th
1980 New South Wales Division 3 18 10th
1981 New South Wales Division 3 23 7th
1982 New South Wales Division 3 18 9th
1983 New South Wales Inter Urban 1st Division 18 9th
1984 New South Wales Inter Urban 1st Division 17 10th
1985 New South Wales Inter Urban 1st Division 10 11th - Relegated
1986 New South Wales Inter Urban 2nd Division 12 12th - Relegated
1987 New South Wales Inter Urban 3rd Division 31 5th
1988 New South Wales Inter Urban 3rd Division 35 1st - Champions and Promoted
1989 New South Wales Division 5 30 1st - Champions and Promoted
1990 New South Wales Division 4 23 5th
1991 New South Wales Division 4 43 3rd
1992 New South Wales Division 3 40 5th
1993 New South Wales Division 3 50 2nd
1994 New South Wales Division 3 43 3rd
1995 New South Wales Division 2 38 5th
1996 New South Wales Division 2 41 3rd
1997 New South Wales Division 2 35 4th
1998 New South Wales Division 2 44 3rd
1999 New South Wales Division 2 40 3rd
2000 New South Wales Division 2 44 2nd
2001 New South Wales Division 1 38 5th
2002 New South Wales Division 1 34 3rd
2003 New South Wales Division 1 60 2nd - Promoted
2004 New South Wales Winter Super League 37 8th
2005 New South Wales Winter Super League 24 14th - Relegated
2006 New South Wales Division 1 18 10th
2007 New South Wales Division 1 41 6th
2008 New South Wales Division 1 17 13th
2009 New South Wales Division 1 15 11th
2010 New South Wales Division 1 6 12th
2011 New South Wales Division 1 25 7th
2012 New South Wales Division 1 13 12th - Relegated
2013 New South Wales Division 2 23 8th
2014 New South Wales Division 2 36 1st

Current 1st Grade Squad

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Strikers

Coach

Assistant Coach

Current U/20's Squad

Goalkeepers

Defenders

Midfielders

Strikers

Coach

Notable players

See also