Stan Lazaridis

NSL Career: West Adelaide 73 (5) / 1992/93 - 1994/95

Socceroos Career: 60 (0) A Internationals / 12 (0) B Internationals

Arguably Australia's greatest wing-back, Stan Lazaridis developed his powerful running and dribbling ability in the NSL before embarking on a consistent career in England's top flight. Possessing endless stamina, lightning pace, excellent ball control and a good crossing technique - Lazaridis terrorised defenders on the left flank and was pivotal in getting West Adelaide to their only finals series appearances.

Perth born and bred, Lazaridis began his junior career at Kingsway Olympic where he made his first team debut at the age of 15. Lazaridis later moved to Stirling Macedonia for a season before joining Floreat Athena where became one the league's standout players. Lazaridis' talent came on the radar of West Adelaide coach Raúl Blanco, who replaced Vic Fernández ahead of the 1992/93 season, and signed the promising wing-back along with a number of talented players from around the NSL. 

Lazaridis' exciting style of play made him an instant star and helped West Adelaide reach the NSL Finals Series for the first time after starting every game of the season. In the first leg of West's elimination final against rivals Adelaide City, Lazaridis' shot in the second half was deflected off team mate José Iriarte to give West a one-nil lead going in to the second leg where City won two-one, progressing on away goal rule.

Following his debut season in the NSL, Lazaridis made his full international debut in a one-nil win against Kuwait before being selected in B internationals against European clubs AC Milan, Duisburg, NEC Nijmegen and De Graafschap. West failed to qualify for the finals series at the end of the 1993/94 season but Lazaridis' strong form led to him become a Socceroos regular going in to the 1994/95 season. Another Lazaridis-inspired season saw West qualify for the finals series where they were unable to get past a strong Sydney United outfit in the elimination semi-finals.

Following a strong performance in a pre-season friendly against English Premier League club West Ham, coach Harry Redknapp signed the Socceroo for a transfer fee in the region of $550,000-$600,000. Lazaridis' first season at West Ham was curtailed by poor form and injuries as the Socceroo made just four EPL appearances. Lazaridis found his footing in the side over the next three seasons, becoming one of the best left-footed players in the league before being lured to English First Division side Birmingham, who paid a transfer fee in excess of $2.5m for the dynamic left-sided player. 

The Socceroo wing-back became a star player for Birmingham and played in their 2001 Football League Cup Final appearance where he converted his penalty in the side's penalty shoot-out loss to Liverpool. The following season, Lazaridis helped Birmingham reach the promotion play-off final against Norwich in which the Socceroo came on as substitute and converted his penalty in the side's penalty shoot-out win to gain promotion to the EPL.

Lazaridis remained a regular and fan favourite at Birmingham as he helped the club remain in the top flight. During the 2004/05 and 2005/06 seasons, a recurring thigh injury limited his game time and the Birmingham favourite was released at the end of the 2005/06 season before being selected in Australia's 2006 World Cup squad where he failed to make an appearance off the bench in Australia's four matches.

 Following the World Cup, Lazaridis returned to Australia and signed for home town club Perth Glory. Lazaridis made 11 appearances in the first 17 rounds of the 2006/07 A-League season before receiving a one-year playing ban after testing positive to a prescription medicine for alopecia that was not properly cleared by Australia's anti-doping authorities. 

Lazaridis returned to the field late in the 2007/08 season where he made just two A-League appearances before hanging up his boots at the end of the season at the age of 35. Lazaridis was selected at left-back in FFA's Socceroos Team of the 1990s and was inducted in to the Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2010, becoming just the third Western Australian-born player to do so.