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A [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] born to a [[Yugoslavs|Yugoslav]] father, he grew up in a small [[Serbia]]n community in [[Chesterton, Staffordshire]]; he was a childhood friend of future [[England national football team|England]] international [[Mike Pejic]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Pearson|first=Guy|title=Wembley hero Aleksic mourned by former team-mates|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Football-Wembley-hero-Aleksic-mourned-team-mates/story-17134843-detail/story.html|accessdate=20 October 2012|newspaper=[[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|The Sentinel]]|date=20 October 2012}}</ref> His career started with [[Gordon Lee (footballer)|Gordon Lee]]'s [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]].<ref name="kent">{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Personalities|publisher=Witan Books|page=5|year=1996|isbn=0-9529152-0-0}}</ref> He played two [[FA Cup]] games for the "Valiants" as a 17-year-old in the [[1968–69 Port Vale F.C. season|1968–69]] season, both [[1968–69 FA Cup|First Round]] games with [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]] in which he conceding one goal in both the original game and the replay at [[Vale Park]].<ref name="kent"/> An emergency replacement for the injured [[Stuart Sharratt]], he was so keen that he used to iron his bootlaces before playing.<ref name="kent"/> He was given a free transfer in May 1969 and moved into non-league football with [[Eastwood Town F.C.|Eastwood]], and then [[Stafford Rangers F.C.|Stafford Rangers]].<ref name="kent"/> With Rangers he was a member of the 1972 [[FA Trophy]] winning team, following a 3–0 win over [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]] at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]].<ref name="fact file">{{cite web|title=milija aleksic – fact file|url=http://archive.mehstg.com/fact_aleksic.htm|work=archive.mehstg.com|accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref>
A [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] born to a [[Yugoslavs|Yugoslav]] father, he grew up in a small [[Serbia]]n community in [[Chesterton, Staffordshire]]; he was a childhood friend of future [[England national football team|England]] international [[Mike Pejic]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Pearson|first=Guy|title=Wembley hero Aleksic mourned by former team-mates|url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Football-Wembley-hero-Aleksic-mourned-team-mates/story-17134843-detail/story.html|accessdate=20 October 2012|newspaper=[[The Sentinel (Staffordshire)|The Sentinel]]|date=20 October 2012}}</ref> His career started with [[Gordon Lee (footballer)|Gordon Lee]]'s [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]].<ref name="kent">{{cite book|last=Kent|first=Jeff|title=Port Vale Personalities|publisher=Witan Books|page=5|year=1996|isbn=0-9529152-0-0}}</ref> He played two [[FA Cup]] games for the "Valiants" as a 17-year-old in the [[1968–69 Port Vale F.C. season|1968–69]] season, both [[1968–69 FA Cup|First Round]] games with [[Shrewsbury Town F.C.|Shrewsbury Town]] in which he conceding one goal in both the original game and the replay at [[Vale Park]].<ref name="kent"/> An emergency replacement for the injured [[Stuart Sharratt]], he was so keen that he used to iron his bootlaces before playing.<ref name="kent"/> He was given a free transfer in May 1969 and moved into non-league football with [[Eastwood Town F.C.|Eastwood]], and then [[Stafford Rangers F.C.|Stafford Rangers]].<ref name="kent"/> With Rangers he was a member of the 1972 [[FA Trophy]] winning team, following a 3–0 win over [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]] at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley Stadium]].<ref name="fact file">{{cite web|title=milija aleksic – fact file|url=http://archive.mehstg.com/fact_aleksic.htm|work=archive.mehstg.com|accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref>


In 1973, he returned to [[the Football League]], signing for [[Tony Waiters]]'s [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]]. The "Pilgrims" posted a 17th-place finish in the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] in [[1973–74 Football League|1973–74]], before winning promotion with a second-place finish in [[1974–75 Football League|1974–75]] (they finished one point behind champions [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]). They then held their own in the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]], finishing in 16th place in [[1975–76 Football League|1975–76]]. In August 1976, he played two games on loan at [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]]; both games were [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] clashes with [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics for Milija Aleksic|url=http://www.rageonline.co.uk/mainpage.php?type=player&player_id=3|work=rageonline.co.uk|accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref> He was then loaned out to [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]].<ref name="fact file"/> Aleksic left [[Home Park]] permanently when he was moved on to league rivals [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] in November 1976, who were managed by [[Harry Haslam (footballer)|Harry Haslam]].<ref name=lutontown>{{cite web|title= Obituary |url=http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/milijaaleksicobit-433379.aspx|work=lutontown.co.uk|accessdate=19 October 2012}}</ref> The "Hatters" finished sixth in [[1976–77 Football League|1976–77]], four points behind promoted [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]. Luton then dropped to 13th in [[1977–78 Football League|1977–78]] under new boss [[David Pleat]], and then finished 18th in [[1978–79 Football League|1978–79]]. He played 77 league games in his three years at [[Kenilworth Road]].
In 1973, he returned to [[the Football League]], signing for [[Tony Waiters]]'s [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]]. The "Pilgrims" posted a 17th-place finish in the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] in [[1973–74 Football League|1973–74]], before winning promotion with a second-place finish in [[1974–75 Football League|1974–75]] (they finished one point behind champions [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]). They then held their own in the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]], finishing in 16th place in [[1975–76 Football League|1975–76]]. In August 1976, he played two games on loan at [[Oxford United F.C.|Oxford United]]; both games were [[Football League Cup|League Cup]] clashes with [[Cambridge United F.C.|Cambridge United]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics for Milija Aleksic|url=http://www.rageonline.co.uk/mainpage.php?type=player&player_id=3|work=rageonline.co.uk|accessdate=6 October 2012|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20060215020403/http://www.rageonline.co.uk/mainpage.php?type=player&player_id=3|archivedate=15 February 2006|df=dmy-all}}</ref> He was then loaned out to [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]].<ref name="fact file"/> Aleksic left [[Home Park]] permanently when he was moved on to league rivals [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]] in November 1976, who were managed by [[Harry Haslam (footballer)|Harry Haslam]].<ref name=lutontown>{{cite web|title= Obituary |url=http://www.lutontown.co.uk/news/article/milijaaleksicobit-433379.aspx|work=lutontown.co.uk|accessdate=19 October 2012}}</ref> The "Hatters" finished sixth in [[1976–77 Football League|1976–77]], four points behind promoted [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]]. Luton then dropped to 13th in [[1977–78 Football League|1977–78]] under new boss [[David Pleat]], and then finished 18th in [[1978–79 Football League|1978–79]]. He played 77 league games in his three years at [[Kenilworth Road]].


Aleksic was signed by [[Football League First Division|First Division]] side [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in December 1978 for a fee of £100,000.<ref name="Tottenham Hotspur FC">{{cite web|title=Tottenham Hotspur FC|url=http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/tottenham-hotspur-fc/milija-aleksic-9064/1978-81_a10926/|work=sporting-heroes.net|accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref> The club posted a 14th-place finish in the [[1979–80 Football League|1979–80]] season under the stewardship of [[Keith Burkinshaw]]. He faced competition between the sticks from [[Barry Daines]] and [[Mark Kendall (footballer, born 1958)|Mark Kendall]].<ref name="Joe Jordan">{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Matthew|title=The tale of Joe Jordan and Milija Aleksic|url=http://www.tottenhamblog.com/2011/02/17/the-tale-of-joe-jordan-and-milija-aleksic/|work=tottenhamblog.com|accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref> In one tie against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], notorious 'hard man' [[Joe Jordan (footballer)|Joe Jordan]] broke his jaw in what was officially described as an 'accidental collision'.<ref name="Joe Jordan"/> The injury left midfielder [[Glenn Hoddle]] to take Aleksic's place in goal for the rest of the match; despite this setback, Hoddle was untroubled in goal, and Spurs won 1–0 with [[Osvaldo Ardiles]] scoring the winning goal.<ref name="Were you">{{cite news|last=Bevan|first=Chris|title=Were you there...?|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7197798.stm|accessdate=6 October 2012|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=25 January 2008}}</ref> The [[White Hart Lane]] club made a top ten finish in [[1980–81 Football League|1980–81]], and also lifted the FA Cup with a [[1981 FA Cup Final|3–2 victory]] over [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] at Wembley. Aleksic featured in both the original tie and the replay, which was won with a brace from [[Ricardo Villa]] and a scruffy goal from [[Garth Crooks]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Classic Cup Finals: 1981|url=http://www.thefa.com/Competitions/FACompetitions/TheFACup/History/historyofthefacup/1981tottenhammancity.aspx|work=thefa.com|accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref> However, he soon lost his first team place to [[Ray Clemence]].<ref name="Joe Jordan"/> Spurs went on to finish fourth in [[1981–82 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|1981–82]], but despite being an FA Cup winning goalkeeper just one year previously, he dropped back into non-League football with [[Barry Fry]]'s [[Conference National|Alliance Premier League]] side Barnet in 1982, following a brief loan spell at former club Luton Town. He later emigrated to South Africa, and played for [[Bidvest Wits F.C.|Wits University]], before taking up employment at the Golfer's Club in [[Johannesburg]].<ref name="Were you"/>
Aleksic was signed by [[Football League First Division|First Division]] side [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]] in December 1978 for a fee of £100,000.<ref name="Tottenham Hotspur FC">{{cite web|title=Tottenham Hotspur FC|url=http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/tottenham-hotspur-fc/milija-aleksic-9064/1978-81_a10926/|work=sporting-heroes.net|accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref> The club posted a 14th-place finish in the [[1979–80 Football League|1979–80]] season under the stewardship of [[Keith Burkinshaw]]. He faced competition between the sticks from [[Barry Daines]] and [[Mark Kendall (footballer, born 1958)|Mark Kendall]].<ref name="Joe Jordan">{{cite web|last=Harris|first=Matthew|title=The tale of Joe Jordan and Milija Aleksic|url=http://www.tottenhamblog.com/2011/02/17/the-tale-of-joe-jordan-and-milija-aleksic/|work=tottenhamblog.com|accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref> In one tie against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]], notorious 'hard man' [[Joe Jordan (footballer)|Joe Jordan]] broke his jaw in what was officially described as an 'accidental collision'.<ref name="Joe Jordan"/> The injury left midfielder [[Glenn Hoddle]] to take Aleksic's place in goal for the rest of the match; despite this setback, Hoddle was untroubled in goal, and Spurs won 1–0 with [[Osvaldo Ardiles]] scoring the winning goal.<ref name="Were you">{{cite news|last=Bevan|first=Chris|title=Were you there...?|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7197798.stm|accessdate=6 October 2012|newspaper=[[BBC Sport]]|date=25 January 2008}}</ref> The [[White Hart Lane]] club made a top ten finish in [[1980–81 Football League|1980–81]], and also lifted the FA Cup with a [[1981 FA Cup Final|3–2 victory]] over [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] at Wembley. Aleksic featured in both the original tie and the replay, which was won with a brace from [[Ricardo Villa]] and a scruffy goal from [[Garth Crooks]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Classic Cup Finals: 1981|url=http://www.thefa.com/Competitions/FACompetitions/TheFACup/History/historyofthefacup/1981tottenhammancity.aspx|work=thefa.com|accessdate=6 October 2012}}</ref> However, he soon lost his first team place to [[Ray Clemence]].<ref name="Joe Jordan"/> Spurs went on to finish fourth in [[1981–82 Tottenham Hotspur F.C. season|1981–82]], but despite being an FA Cup winning goalkeeper just one year previously, he dropped back into non-League football with [[Barry Fry]]'s [[Conference National|Alliance Premier League]] side Barnet in 1982, following a brief loan spell at former club Luton Town. He later emigrated to South Africa, and played for [[Bidvest Wits F.C.|Wits University]], before taking up employment at the Golfer's Club in [[Johannesburg]].<ref name="Were you"/>

Revision as of 03:52, 28 November 2017

Milija Aleksic
Personal information
Full name Milija Anthony Aleksic[1]
Date of birth (1951-04-14)14 April 1951[1]
Place of birth Newcastle-under-Lyme, England[1]
Date of death 17 October 2012(2012-10-17) (aged 61)[2]
Place of death Johannesburg, South Africa[2]
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1968–1969 Port Vale 0 (0)
Eastwood
Stafford Rangers
1973–1976 Plymouth Argyle 32 (0)
1976 → Oxford United (loan) 0 (0)
1976 → Ipswich Town (loan) 0 (0)
1976–1979 Luton Town 77 (0)
1979–1982 Tottenham Hotspur 25 (0)
1982 → Luton Town (loan) 4 (0)
1982–1983 Barnet
1983–1984 Wits University
1985–1987 Durban City
Total 138+ (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Milija Anthony Aleksic (14 April 1951 – 17 October 2012) was an English football goalkeeper who made 138 league appearances in the Football League.[3]

Released by Port Vale in 1969, he played for Eastwood before lifting the FA Trophy with Stafford Rangers in 1972. The next year he returned to the Football League with Plymouth Argyle, before he was signed by Luton Town in December 1976, following loan spells with Oxford United and Ipswich Town. Three years later he moved on to Tottenham Hotspur, and played in the club's FA Cup victory in 1981. In 1982, he was loaned back to Luton Town, before he went back into non-league football with Barnet. He later migrated to South Africa and played for Wits University.

Playing career

A goalkeeper born to a Yugoslav father, he grew up in a small Serbian community in Chesterton, Staffordshire; he was a childhood friend of future England international Mike Pejic.[4] His career started with Gordon Lee's Port Vale.[1] He played two FA Cup games for the "Valiants" as a 17-year-old in the 1968–69 season, both First Round games with Shrewsbury Town in which he conceding one goal in both the original game and the replay at Vale Park.[1] An emergency replacement for the injured Stuart Sharratt, he was so keen that he used to iron his bootlaces before playing.[1] He was given a free transfer in May 1969 and moved into non-league football with Eastwood, and then Stafford Rangers.[1] With Rangers he was a member of the 1972 FA Trophy winning team, following a 3–0 win over Barnet at Wembley Stadium.[5]

In 1973, he returned to the Football League, signing for Tony Waiters's Plymouth Argyle. The "Pilgrims" posted a 17th-place finish in the Third Division in 1973–74, before winning promotion with a second-place finish in 1974–75 (they finished one point behind champions Blackburn Rovers). They then held their own in the Second Division, finishing in 16th place in 1975–76. In August 1976, he played two games on loan at Oxford United; both games were League Cup clashes with Cambridge United.[6] He was then loaned out to Ipswich Town.[5] Aleksic left Home Park permanently when he was moved on to league rivals Luton Town in November 1976, who were managed by Harry Haslam.[7] The "Hatters" finished sixth in 1976–77, four points behind promoted Nottingham Forest. Luton then dropped to 13th in 1977–78 under new boss David Pleat, and then finished 18th in 1978–79. He played 77 league games in his three years at Kenilworth Road.

Aleksic was signed by First Division side Tottenham Hotspur in December 1978 for a fee of £100,000.[8] The club posted a 14th-place finish in the 1979–80 season under the stewardship of Keith Burkinshaw. He faced competition between the sticks from Barry Daines and Mark Kendall.[9] In one tie against Manchester United, notorious 'hard man' Joe Jordan broke his jaw in what was officially described as an 'accidental collision'.[9] The injury left midfielder Glenn Hoddle to take Aleksic's place in goal for the rest of the match; despite this setback, Hoddle was untroubled in goal, and Spurs won 1–0 with Osvaldo Ardiles scoring the winning goal.[10] The White Hart Lane club made a top ten finish in 1980–81, and also lifted the FA Cup with a 3–2 victory over Manchester City at Wembley. Aleksic featured in both the original tie and the replay, which was won with a brace from Ricardo Villa and a scruffy goal from Garth Crooks.[11] However, he soon lost his first team place to Ray Clemence.[9] Spurs went on to finish fourth in 1981–82, but despite being an FA Cup winning goalkeeper just one year previously, he dropped back into non-League football with Barry Fry's Alliance Premier League side Barnet in 1982, following a brief loan spell at former club Luton Town. He later emigrated to South Africa, and played for Wits University, before taking up employment at the Golfer's Club in Johannesburg.[10]

Statistics

Source:[12]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Port Vale 1968–69 Fourth Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Oxford United (loan) 1976–77 Third Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Ipswich Town (loan) 1976–77 First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Plymouth Argyle 1973–74 Third Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
1974–75 Third Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1975–76 Second Division 29 0 2 0 3 0 34 0
Total 32 0 2 0 3 0 37 0
Luton Town 1976–77 Second Division 25 0 2 0 0 0 27 0
1977–78 Second Division 38 0 2 0 4 0 44 0
1978–79 Second Division 14 0 0 0 3 0 17 0
Total 77 0 4 0 7 0 88 0
Luton Town (loan) 1981–82 Second Division 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Tottenham Hotspur 1978–79 First Division 5 0 1 0 0 0 6 0
1979–80 First Division 8 0 2 0 0 0 10 0
1980–81 First Division 10 0 4 0 0 0 14 0
1981–82 First Division 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Total 25 0 7 0 0 0 32 0
Career Total 138 0 15 0 12 0 165 0

Honours

with Stafford Rangers
with Plymouth Argyle
with Tottenham Hotspur

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 5. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  2. ^ a b "Obituary – Milija Aleksic". tottenhamhotspur.com. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  3. ^ Milija Aleksic Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database
  4. ^ Pearson, Guy (20 October 2012). "Wembley hero Aleksic mourned by former team-mates". The Sentinel. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
  5. ^ a b "milija aleksic – fact file". archive.mehstg.com. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Statistics for Milija Aleksic". rageonline.co.uk. Archived from the original on 15 February 2006. Retrieved 6 October 2012. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "Obituary". lutontown.co.uk. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  8. ^ "Tottenham Hotspur FC". sporting-heroes.net. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  9. ^ a b c Harris, Matthew. "The tale of Joe Jordan and Milija Aleksic". tottenhamblog.com. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  10. ^ a b Bevan, Chris (25 January 2008). "Were you there...?". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  11. ^ "Classic Cup Finals: 1981". thefa.com. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  12. ^ Milija Aleksic at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
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