Glavas calls time on decorated career

Sydney United 58 FC will this Sunday bid farewell to one of the club’s longest and most passionate and loyal players to don the famous red and white jersey.

Wearing the number 11 on his back, twenty-nine year-old star striker Luka Glavas broke the news on his retirement to his players this week.

“It wasn’t easy but I felt my time was up.

“I wanted to focus on spending more time with my wife Ivanka and three kids Milan, Oliver and Sofia on top of starting a new job.

“I also felt that I achieved everything I could possibly do at the club and had no more drive to continue on.”

The all-time leading club top goalscorer has lived and breathed Sydney United 58 FC.

“I grew up following the club as a fan at the age of nine before playing in the club’s youth side.

“I remember the days I used to go to the King Tom club watching Sydney United 58 matches with my dad seeing so many great players who wore the jersey with so much pride, they were great memories.

“The club certainly holds a special place in my heart as I met all my friends there and it was here I fell in love with football.”

With so many fond memories throughout his football career which included time in the A-League with Sydney FC and Perth Glory, Glavas highlighted three in particular that stood out in his illustrious career.

“I could never forget the 2006 Grand Final at Marconi Stadium.

“Scoring all four goals against Blacktown City and winning the Championship with such a great side was an amazing day.

“On top of that, breaking the club’s all-time goalscorer’s charts (a record that was held previously by Graham Arnold who netted 84 times) in the final game of the IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 season against the Spartans last year was well up there.

“Finally, winning the inaugural NPL Finals Series defeating South Hobart in Tasmania was a special moment for not only myself but for the club.”

The icing on the cake for the Edensor Park born star was taking part in this year’s Westfield FFA Cup.

The Reds proved too strong for the Far North Queensland Heat recording a 4-1 victory in the round of 32 on Tuesday night with the talisman coming on as a substitute late in the second half.

“It’s been a target for the club this year and I am really happy we achieved a positive result.

“My time in this Cup will continue and with the prospect of playing an A-League side in the round of 16, I would love nothing more than to guide the side towards the latter stages of the competition.

“For me the Westfield FFA Cup has been a great initiative.

“The fact that matches have been shown on television and State League clubs have gained more media interest has been terrific, especially for the young boys who have used this tournament to get noticed.”

The Sydney United 58 FC faithful will have their chance to say goodbye to their much loved star this Sunday when they take on the Sutherland Sharks where Glavas is hoping that he can lead the team out to glory securing three points and hopefully getting on the scoresheet.

“It will be a special day for me, but I don’t want to get caught up in all of it, I just want to guide the team to victory and celebrate it with all my teammates, family and friends.”

A player that always wore his heart on his sleeve and always gave his all for the club he loved as a kid, Glavas will be missed by many who enjoyed watching the six-foot-one man in action.

Reporting on the State League for the past sixteen or so years, Glavas was a treat to watch.

His delicate touches accompanied by his deft finishing and pace inside the box as well as his killer instinct of being in the right place in the right time has given him the tag of being one of the best ever players to pass through the IGA NPL NSW Mens 1 competition.

A club that has produced well over 40 Socceroo stars, Sydney United 58 FC will be losing a hero in Luka Glavas, but not for good.

“I was a fan of the club before I became a player so you will see me support the team for years to come.

“I am already trying to develop my young boys in becoming future Sydney United 58 FC players,”

Thanks for all the memories Luka, you will be missed.

-By Mark Stavroulakis