Peta Bala'c
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Peta John Bala'c | ||
| Date of birth | 9 December 1953 | ||
| Place of birth | Boughton, Exeter, England | ||
| Height | 1.97 m (6 ft 5 1⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper, Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Exeter Schoolboys | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1971–1974 | Plymouth Argyle | 40 | (0) |
| 1973 | Hereford United (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 1973–1974 | Swansea City (loan) | 4 | (0) |
| 1974–1976 | Durban City | 84 | (0) |
| 1977–1978 | Durban United | 28 | (0) |
| 1979 | Lusitano | 34 | (0) |
| 1980 | Sacramento Gold (loan) | 27 | (0) |
| 1980 | Sporting Lisbon | 15 | (0) |
| 1981–1986 | Kaizer Chiefs | 170 | (0) |
| 1986–? | Torrington F.C. | ||
| Shell Swan | |||
| Chester Nomad Sixths | |||
| Total | 404 | (0) | |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Peta Bala'c (born 9 December 1953 in Exeter, England) was an English soccer goalkeeper for most notably Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa.
Plymouth Argyle
He was spotted while playing for Exeter Schoolboys. He made his debut on 8 January 1972 in a 4–0 win over York City starting the match for an ill Jim Furnell. He became a regular for over a year before Furnell returned. He played his last match on 4 November 1972 in a 7–1 loss to Oldham Athletic.[1]He came on in the second half in a friendly match against Santos in 1972. He faced a Pele penalty. Before it was taken the Santos players started walking to the centre line awaiting kick off because they knew he wouldn't miss. Santos lost 3-2. He got a call-up to the England youth team. He left after a fall out with new manager Tony Waiters.[2]
Durban United
He played with England heroes such as Johnny Haynes, Alan Ball and George Best in Durban.[2]
Lusitano
He lost his place to Bruce Grobbelaar who he had been friends with during his spell at Liverpool. He described Eusébio's presence as a highlight of his career.[2]
America and Portugal
He had brief spells with Sacramento Gold and Sporting Lisbon winning the ASL Championship in 1980.[2]
Kaizer Chiefs
He was persuaded by Tony Waiters to go to South Africa. He joined Chiefs in the famous 1981 quadruple winning season and won 13 trophies in 5 years not losing a single cup final and set an unofficial world record of 21 consecutive clean sheets. The record was unofficial because South Africa had not been admitted to FIFA until 1992.[1]
Later career
He came back to play in the Devon South Western League under Johnny Hore in 1986 and played as a midfielder for Shell Swan and Chester Nomad Sixths in Division Two and the Chester Sunday League until retiring in his fifties. He converted to midfielder after being inspired by Kaizer Chiefs' one touch play.[1]
After retirement
He lives near Chester with his wife. He currently works with pharmaceuticals and corporate hospitality. He also opened his own restaurant. He also owns a fitness club.[3]
Honours
- BP Top 8: 1981, 1982, 1985
- John Player Special Knockout: 1983, 1984, 1986
- Mainstay Cup: 1986
- Sales House Cup: 1981, 1982, 1984
- Panasonic Cup: 1986