John Markovski

NSL Career: Sunshine, Preston, Melbourne Croatia/Knights, Marconi, Morwell, Canberra Cosmos, Carlton, Perth, Football Kingz 375 (112) / 1986 - 2001/02

Socceroos Career: 18 (1) A Internationals / 2 (0) B Internationals

Some careers result in unfulfilled potential, even if the player managed to carve out a long career and represented their country. John "Jonesy" Markovski was a prime example of this - bursting on to the scene at a young age and displaying all the characteristics of a complete forward - almost unbeatable physically on the ball and in the air, had incredible technique, a wicked left foot and was a free-kick specialist.

A Sunshine boy, Markovski played junior football for Sunshine Heights and Sunshine City (who later amalgamated with George Cross). In 1986, at just 15 years of age, Markovski became the sixth-youngest NSL debutant when he started in Sunshine George Cross's round one win against West Adelaide. 

Unlike the other players who had debuted in the NSL at 15 years of age, Markovski's large physical build allowed him to adapt to first team football instantly, and he played in every game of the season for Sunshine including their minor semi-final loss to Footscray.

Sunshine wouldn't qualify for the finals series again during their time in the NSL as Markovski became their star attraction, scoring 15 goals in 46 league games between 1987 and 1988, and was named the 1987 NSL U-21 Player of the Year (youngest ever recipient). In 1989, Markovski moved to Preston where he had another strong season, playing in various attacking roles. 

After helping Preston qualify for the finals series, Markovski trialled with Belgian champions KV Mechelen and came close to signing a contract before suffering a serious injury during the club's pre-season tournament. The big striker returned to Australia and signed a one-year contract with Melbourne Croatia, with the ambition to return to Europe. Markovski was a key member of the Croatia side despite competing for a spot with Ivan Kelic and Joe Caleta. 

During the season, Markovski earned his first Socceroos cap in a B international win over Russian side Torpedo before leaving Croatia to join Marconi for the 1990/91 season. Following the departure of New Zealand international Fred de Jong and the absence of Macedonian star Zlatko Nastevski, Markovski was joined in attack by sharp shooter David Seal and together the pair scored 29 of Marconi's 48 league goals.

After helping the side reach the minor semi-final, Markovski spent another season at Marconi where they failed to qualify for the 1991/92 NSL Final Series before contributing to the Olyroos' 1992 Barcelona Olympics campaign, scoring a brilliant volley in their quarter-final win over Sweden. Following the Olyroos' Bronze medal match, where they lost one-nil to Ghana, Markovski moved back to Preston.

Preston were relegated at the end of the 1992/93 season before Markovski joined Morwell and became their top scorer in the 1993/94 season despite a lack of professional fitness standards. Following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, Macedonia had worked towards establishing an independent and recognised national team.

When Macedonia became a FIFA and UEFA member, the country's football federation reached out to Markovski on behalf of their first head coach, Andon Dončevski, who had coached Markovski at Preston in 1989. Markovski had ignored overtures in the past to play in Yugoslavia and was yet to represent Australia in a full international, however under FIFA regulations, the striker wasn't allowed to be selected for the Macedonia national team as he had previously represented Australia at youth level.

Markovski made his full international debut for the Socceroos at the end of the 1993/94 season before helping Morwell reach the finals series for the first time in the 1994/95 season. Markovski returned to former club Melbourne Knights (formerly Croatia) for the 1995/96 season as the club looked to fill the void left by Europe-bound Mark Viduka.

Markovski led the line for large parts of the season before succumbing to a foot injury and missed out on the finals series as Knights became back-to-back champions. The 27 year old striker started the 1996/97 season as a regular for Knights before moving to Canberra Cosmos halfway through the season.

Living up to his journeyman status, Markovski became a member of Carlton's inaugural squad in the 1997/98 season. Adding experience to the side, Markovski reignited his goal scoring touch, scoring 11 goals in 21 regular season games before helping the club reach the grand final in their debut season in which they lost two-one to South Melbourne.

Perth Glory called on the experienced striker for the 1998/99 season where he became part of a  devastating forward line that included Bobby Despotovski, Vas Kalogeracos and Alistair Edwards - personally contributing 11 goals in 18 league appearances and helped the side reach the preliminary final. 

Markovski returned to Carlton the following season and remained with the club until they folded early in the 2000/01 season before beginning his career as a player-coach with Altona Magic in the Victorian Premier League. Following the 2001 VPL season, Markovski returned to the NSL for a final season, joining a record ninth NSL club in Football Kingz.

At the end of the 2001/02 season, Markovski returned to Victoria and took over as coach of former club Preston where he led them to the Victorian Premier League Championship within two months. Markovski continued to coach in the VPL with Fawkner and Sunshine, where he made a few cameos off the bench, and played a few games for Division Three North-West side Sydenham before hanging up the boots at the age of 38.