Paul Gagro proud of the heritage and community of Hurstville FC

Hurstville FC Captain Paul Gagro has family and cultural ties embedded within the club, where the togetherness can be seen throughout.

Formed in 1970 by Croatian migrants,  the club currently competes in the Football NSW League Two Men’s competition and is now looking towards pushing the upper reaches of the league as Gagro reflected on the history of the club.

His grandfather was one of the founders, his dad is a former player and current president of the club, while his mum is the secretary.

“My parents actually met through the club… it is literally in my blood; I started playing here when I was six, just like my brother did.”

This season marks the 30-year-old’s thirteenth year in first grade and the club has grown dramatically during his time; from getting a National Premier League NSW youth side, to the club’s women’s football, which has grown as well.

Gagro has been the club captain since he was 25, having previously been offered the role in his early 20s.

“The last few years, I really learned to make it a combination of what I do on the pitch and also being vocal, knowing when to talk and when not to talk.”

Gagro had a few football idols growing up, from Australian legend Harry Kewell because he wore the Number 10 like him to Croatian superstar Luka Modrić, to Chelsea icons Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, being a Chelsea fan.

“They are my absolute favourite players, for sure, like Mateo Kovačić now.”

The major aspect of what the people at and around the club identify with is the culture.

“What is special is that we have not lost that family culture; that is our foundation, and we will hold that forever.

“When people come here, they tend to not want to leave.”

This is exemplified through the player milestones Hurstville FC players will reach soon.

Gagro himself, will hit 200 appearances for the club and has scored around 50 goals, while his brother Jesse Gagro will cross 100 games, alongside Michael Rutherford, Daniel Kocina, and Daniel Maras.

Gagro is also the club’s Youth Technical Director and is proud to see young players come through.

“We come here, we all train together… it is so important, you cannot just be each team on their own.

“We are a true Croatian club… we have kept that identity and that is where it comes from, I would say half the first-grade team have Croatian background.”

Hurstville brought in former Sydney United 58 Head Coach Davor Bajsic this season; Bajsic has played for Croatian First Division club Osijek as well as Hapoel Ironi Rishon LeZion in Israel and represented Croatia at youth level.

“He’s just a true football person, a gentleman, an absolutely class act.”

He has brought a more possession-based approach to the team, and they are starting to see the results from it.

“We want to go out there and take the game to teams.”

They will be hoping to use this style of play along with their club and cultural values to create an attitude of winning and success at the club.

“In the next few years, we would love to push for promotion and that is not just for first grade.

“We are going to keep pushing, no matter how long it takes.”

Gagro summed up the club for him in eight short words.

“I love this club; this is my club.”

By Football New South Wales League Two Men’s Writer, Dylan Costa @_dylancosta