Tony Vidmar

NSL Career: Adelaide City 148 (15) / 1989 - 1994/95

Socceroos Career: 76 (3) A Internationals / 15 (0) B Internationals

One of Australia's greatest defenders, Tony Vidmar was successful at club level and served the national team with distinction during the 1990s and 2000s. A powerful athlete who was comfortable on the ball, could turn provider and score goals - Vidmar could play anywhere across the back four, but played his best football at left-back. Vidmar tragically missed out on the chance to represent Australia at a World Cup after partaking in four qualifying campaigns, due to a career-threatening health concern that was given the all-clear following the tournament.

Growing up as a well-rounded athlete, Vidmar eventually steered away from cricket and Aussie rules to focus on a career in football. Joining his older brother Aurelio at Adelaide City, who was one of the stars of the NSL, from junior club Beograd Woodville - Vidmar played for the youth team and reserves before scoring on debut for the first team in a four-nil win over Sunshine in the NSL Cup at the age of 18.

Vidmar made 11 league appearances in his first NSL season in 1989 and played in Adelaide City's NSL Cup Final victory over Sydney Olympic. Vidmar became a regular in the Adelaide City team as a left-back in the 1989/90 season as Socceroo Alex Tobin replaced veteran Neville Flounders in the stopper role.

The young full-back helped the side reach the finals series for the first time since 1986 and continued to perform during the 1990/91 season as Vidmar and his Socceroos team mates in defence kept the league's best defensive record for a third consecutive season. Vidmar's form led to his first Socceroos appearance in a friendly against Czechoslovakia

Vidmar helped the side reach the preliminary final against South Melbourne after his cross found team mate Carl Veart at the back post who headed it on to Joe Mullen for a late winner in City's minor semi-final victory over Marconi. Vidmar became a Socceroos regular during the 1991/92 NSL season and scored a header to win the NSL Cup Final for City.

City qualified for the finals series for the third consecutive season and progressed to the preliminary final against South Melbourne where Vidmar launched the ball in to the box to find Carl Veart for the sealer. City went on to beat Melbourne Croatia in the grand final, which finished in a penalty shoot-out, to claim the 1991/92 NSL Championship. 

Following the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, where Vidmar scored two goals as Australia narrowly missed out on a bronze medal, the full-back was loaned out to Belgian First Division club Germinal Ekeren. Due largely to politics within the club, Vidmar struggled to get regular game time as brother Aurelio became one of the league's best players.

Vidmar returned to City late in the 1992/93 season, helping them reach consecutive grand finals. Following City's loss to Marconi in the championship-decider, Vidmar continued to improve during the 1993/94 season and became a Socceroos regular, playing in both legs of their 1994 World Cup qualifying play-off loss to Argentina.

City qualified for the final series again in the 1993/94 season where Vidmar cut inside from the left flank to score the opening goal in the preliminary final with a brilliant curling effort as City defeated South Melbourne two-nil. Progressing to their third consecutive grand final, and second against Melbourne Knights (formerly Croatia), City won the match courtesy of a world-class strike from striker Damian Mori.

The 24 year old Vidmar was again a key cog in the City defence in the 1994/95 season as the side conceded just 20 goals during the season and reached the grand final for the fourth time in a row, losing to Knights two-nil in Vidmar's last game for the club. Vidmar moved to Eredivisie side NAC Breda for the 1995/96 season and became a regular as the club finished mid-table. After two seasons at NAC, Vidmar moved to Scottish giants Rangers and played in both legs of Australia's World Cup qualifying play-off loss to Iran. 

The Socceroos defender became a key member of the Rangers side that won two league titles, three cups and two league cups between 1998 and 2002. In one of the most memorable moments in Socceroos history, Vidmar left the pitch in tears following Australia's away leg loss to Uruguay in the 2002 World Cup OFC-CONMEBOL qualifying play-off, believing his chance at playing in a World Cup was all but over.

After five successful seasons at Rangers, Vidmar moved to EPL side Middlesbrough for a season before joining Cardiff in the English First Division where he became a fan favourite, winning the Cardiff Player of the Year award in his first season. After two seasons with Cardiff, Vidmar returned to NAC for the 2005/06 season and played in both legs of Australia's 2006 World Cup qualifying play-off victory over Uruguay.

Just as Vidmar's dream had come true, it was soon taken away. Prior to the commencement of the World Cup, Vidmar was forced to pull out of the Socceroos squad and face possible retirement after doctors found a blood clot in his left coronary artery. Following the World Cup, Vidmar was cleared to continue his career and played one final game for the national team before returning to Australia to play in the A-League.

Vidmar joined Central Coast Mariners and added another 33 games to his national league tally, including a fifth national league grand final appearance in Central Coast's one-nil loss to Newcastle before hanging up his boots at the age of 37 and began a career as a youth team and youth development coach at club, state and international level. Vidmar was selected at right-back in FFA's Socceroos Team of the 2000s.