Vale – Reno Martinovic

/ Croatian Sports Centre/

Adelaide Croatia Raiders extends its deepest condolences to the Martinovic family, on the passing of former Club President - Reno Martinovic.

Reno was the second longest serving President of the Adelaide Croatia Soccer Club (10 years), holding the role 1981–1984, 1986, 1989, 1994–1997. He was also one of the longest serving committee members holding various roles throughout the 1980’s, 1990’s and well into the 2000’s. His contribution to the club went beyond his active roles – always a generous financial sponsor of the club for almost 40 years.

Reno was also one of the Founding Members of the Croatian Sports Centre SA Inc. – the home ground facilities of the soccer club, serving on the inaugrual committee since its inception in 1997 through to 2008.

He was a loving family man, a loyal friend, a successful businessman and very well known and respected within South Australia’s fishing industry. He was passionate about Croatia and travelled back there as often as he could; but his home was here in Adelaide and he liked nothing better than a fresh fish dinner with friends on a Friday night, watching a home game on Saturday and playing cards on a Sunday. Our club - the club he helped build, was his second home.

His legacy at Adelaide Croatia is carried on by grandson Manley Barnett, who is proudly representing the Martinovic family in the current Seniors team.

Reno’s generosity, warmth, sence of humor and above all his passion for our club will never be forgotten, and he will be sorely missed.

Počivao u Miru Božjem. Rest in Peace Reno Martinovic.

Family and friends are respectfully informed that Funeral Liturgy will be offered in the Peter Elberg Funeral Home, Walter Loxton Chapel, 280 Grange Road, Flinders Park on Monday, March 3 at 10:00am.

Vale – Drago Turic and Nikola Pardon

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Adelaide Croatia Raiders extends our deepest condolences to the families and friends of the late Drago Turić and Nikola Pardon.

Drago was a valuable player for ACR in the 1960’s, a lethal striker who also represented SA at state level, and continued to support his club on a weekly basis.

Nikola was a dedicated coach, supporter, and volunteer, most would remember his smiling face working at our gate on match days for nearly 20 years.

Drago and Nikola, thank you both for everything you have done for our beloved club, may you both Rest in Peace. Počivao u Miru Božjem.

Vale – Willem ‘Willy’ Slager

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Adelaide Croatia would like to express its sincere condolences to the Slager family.

Willy Slager joined Adelaide Croatia Soccer Club in 1963 from Sturt Orange. It was in his first season that Adelaide Croatia got a taste for just how good Slager was. Slager won the golden boot in 1963 and would go on to become Adelaide Croatia’s all-time top goal scorer with over 150 goals in 300 games, in a career spanning from 1963-1975.

Representing Adelaide Croatia, Slager wore his heart on his sleeve and gave everything and more to the club, becoming club captain at the peak of his career. Slager was loved by the Croatian community.

Slager led Adelaide Croatia to the 1972 & 1975 Division Two Championship. He captained Croatia to the historical Wills Cup win in 1974 as a second division side over the much-fancied Cumberland United. Croatia was able to shock the state with a 4-3 win in extra time, overturning a 3-1 deficit!

Slagers love for the club was passed down to his sons Robert & Andrew who would go on to represent the club. Robbie becoming a club legend winning the league title for Croatia in 1984 & 1988.

Slager was a state representative, a life member of Adelaide Croatia and an inaugural Hall of Fame Inductee with the Croatian Soccer Association.

Funeral will be held 12th of March, 10:30am at Taylor & Forgie Chapel on Adelaide Rd, Gawler, opposite Gawler race course.

Počivao u Miru Božjem. Rest in Peace Willy Slager.

Vale Cvjetko Milanovic

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It is with great sadness that we inform our community of the passing of club founder Cvjetko Milanovic. Cvjetko was one of the original founders of the soccer club in 1952 - the first Croatian Soccer Club in Australia. It is something we as a community are extremely proud of and cherish closely to out hearts. He is an Adelaide Croatia Soccer Club Hall of Fame inductee, and a Croatian Soccer Association of Australia ‘Savez’ Hall of Fame inductee for his significant contribution and services to Croatian football in Australia. Our sincere condolences go out to Cvjetko’s wife Marica, daughters Drina, Gloria, Veronica and Mariana and all of Cvjetko’s family and friends.

Cvjetko - we are forever grateful for your vision and commitment.

Počivao u Miru Božjem. RIP Cvjetko.