You don’t tend to stumble across that many inspiring quotes when trawling through the Glory archives.
Reports, pictures and videos, yes. Inspiring quotes? Not so much.
But then you don’t tend to stumble across too many characters like Ljubo Milicevic.
Outspoken, controversial, complex and a genuine talent, his life story is surely a bestseller just waiting to be written.
And, of course, his time at Glory would undoubtedly occupy a chapter or two in any such biography.
While his second spell with the club was brief and undistinguished, his first was anything but.
Milicevic is congratulated by Bobby Despotovski and Jamie Harnwell after scoring one of the three goals he claimed in Glory colours
The towering central defender became the youngest player ever to score in an NSL Grand Final when he found the net in the infamous 2000 clash with Wollongong Wolves and he would eventually rack up 29 appearances over the course of two seasons ahead of a move to Swiss club, FC Zurich.
And it was clearly a seminal time for the man from Melbourne if this quote we unearthed is anything to go by:
“When I think back to my time at Perth Glory, a few central figures spring to my mind and their mindset is what made it easier for myself and Ivan Ergic to succeed at such a young age.
“If I ever felt like I was tired or doing it tough, I merely had to glance around the room and I was immediately inspired to be a better player for the team.
“[That’s what happens] when you’re surrounded by men like Gareth Naven, Damian Mori, Scott Miller, Jason Petkovic, Bobby Despotovski, Troy Halpin and Con Boutsianis.
“Those were the guys that I looked up to and summed up everything the club was about.
“An abundance of skill, perseverance, professionalism and courage.
“That team never backed down from a challenge and it was no surprise that that core had so much success together.
“Everyone in Perth, including the new generation of players, should be proud of the club’s history which is matched by no other A-League club and remember to walk out on the field ready to bleed for the colours, because without guts there is no Glory!”
Uplifting words indeed from the former Socceroo and surely music to the ears of anyone of a purple persuasion.
But what are your memories of the one and only Ljubo?
We’d love you to share them with us via our Glory Facebook page or on Twitter.
#OneGlory
