Yakka Banović

NSL Career: Heidelberg, Melbourne Croatia, Brunswick 106 (0) / 1979 - 1989

Socceroos Career: 2 (0) A Internationals / 6 (0) B Internationals

From Ron Lord to Mat Ryan, Australian football has never been short of top class keepers. Vjekoslav 'Yakka' Banović was one of the most talented keepers ever produced in Australia - agile and capable of making the most miraculous of saves. A trailblazer, Banović was the first Australian keeper to ply his trade overseas and one of the first footballers in the NSL to sign a overseas contract.

Born in Croatia, Banović immigrated to Australia at the age of nine and settled in Whyalla, South Australia with his family. Growing up in Whyalla, Banović was exposed to different sports before taking up and dedicating himself to football. Banović's natural ability saw him quickly rise through the ranks of his local club Whyalla Croatia and made his first team debut at the age of 15.

A short time later, South Australian State League side Adelaide Croatia signed the young keeper, flying him over to Adelaide each week while he finished his schooling in Whyalla. Banović helped the side win a Federation Cup and promotion back to the first division in 1975 before North American Soccer League side Toronto Metros-Croatia, who Banović played against in an exhibition game in Australia, signed the promising keeper.

Banović failed to make a NASL appearance during his time in Toronto - where he was an understudy to former Serie A keeper Paolo Cimpiel, Canadian international Željko Bilecki and Greek international Vasilios Konstantinou. Banović returned to Australia in 1978 and joined Victorian State League side Essendon Croatia, helping them win the VSL Championship.

NSL club Heidelberg signed Banović for $20,000 and the talented keeper kept seven clean sheets in 25 games in the 1979 season as Heidelberg finished runners-up in the league. Banović's excellent debut season in the NSL led to his Socceroos debut during the 1980 Oceania Nations Cup, where besides his full international debut against Papua New Guinea (the other national teams were not recognised by FIFA), Banović was rotated with Greg Woodhouse in the other three matches.

Banović started 18 of the first 19 games of the 1980 NSL season before earning an Australian transfer fee record $120,000 move to English Second Division side Derby County. Banović initially played second fiddle to experienced English keeper Roger Jones, who came in at the same time, and was scouted by First Division clubs while playing for the reserve team during the 1980/81 season. 

The Socceroos keeper competed with Jones again for the number one spot during the 1981/82 season, making more appearances than his experienced team mate and won the BBC Save of the Season which was presented by his childhood idol Gordon Banks. During the 1982/83 and 1983/84 seasons, Banović competed with Derby youth product Steve Cherry, after Jones moved to York City, making just 14 appearances before returning to Australia.

The trailblazing keeper joined his former club Melbourne Croatia (formerly Essendon Croatia), who were now in the NSL, late in the 1984 season and helped the side reach the Southern Conference Preliminary Final and the final of the NSL Cup. Brunswick signed Banović for the 1985 season where he became arguably the best keeper in the league, keeping 14 clean sheets in 26 games, including clean sheets in both legs of the grand final against Sydney City as Brunswick claimed their first piece of silverware in the NSL.

Another strong season from Brunswick in 1986 saw the side finish top of the Southern Conference and reach the preliminary final as Banović was again in stellar form, keeping 11 clean sheets in 22 games. With the lead up to the 1987 season, Banović couldn't agree to the terms of his contract at Brunswick and was replaced by promising young keeper Pat Marrama. The 31 year old keeper moved to Heidelberg for the 1988 season, who had been relegated to the Victorian State League, and helped the side win the championship and gain promotion back to the NSL for the 1989 season. 

Banović earned his place back from keeper Michael Chatzitrifonos late in the season, who started their 1989 campaign as number one, but only made six appearances as both Banović and Chatzitrifonos lost their spot to mid-season signing Jeff Olver. At the end of the season, Banović hung up his boots at the age of 32.