Chris Zoricich
Encyclopedia
Chris Zoricich is a New Zealand
association football player who represented the New Zealand national football team in the 1980s and 90s. Born to Croat
parents, he began playing football in his native Auckland for Blockhouse Bay Under-7's and went on to play over 50 times for his country.
in England between 1990-1993. He made 59 first team appearances there, and 12 as a substitute during his time in East London, before he was made to return home due to work permit restrictions. A group of Orient fans protested outside the home office to try to keep him in the country.
In 1994, Chris returned to New Zealand to play for Central United
, a Croatian-influenced team. His brother, Michael (who played Davis Cup
tennis for New Zealand), and his father, Ivan, also turned out for Central at various points. However it was not long before Zoricich was on the move again, this time to Brisbane Strikers
in the Australian National Soccer League
. He spent two seasons in Australia before heading to England to try his luck again. He made one appearance for Welling United
in the Vauxhall Conference and also had a trial spell with Chelsea, at that time managed by Ruud Gullit
. During his time at Stamford Bridge
, Chris never made the first team but was a regular in the reserve side's defence.
Chris returned to Australia to re-sign for the Brisbane Strikers
in 1997, after the club had won the NSL championship on their home ground. He then ended his NSL career by playing for Newcastle Breakers
and Newcastle United, before returning to England as his English wife was homesick. After trialling with League Two side, Mansfield Town, he signed for Margate
in the Nationwide Conference and then moved on to St Albans City in the Conference South Division. This was followed by short spells at Harlow Town, Boreham Wood
, Heybridge Swifts and Wealdstone
.
on 27 March 1988. He went on to win 57 caps in full 'A' internationals, including captaining the All Whites at the 1999 Confederations Cup in Mexico
and the 2003 Confederations Cup in France
. His only international goal was in a 1-2 loss to USA
in June 1999 at the Confederations Cup
.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
association football player who represented the New Zealand national football team in the 1980s and 90s. Born to Croat
Croatia
Croatia , officially the Republic of Croatia , is a unitary democratic parliamentary republic in Europe at the crossroads of the Mitteleuropa, the Balkans, and the Mediterranean. Its capital and largest city is Zagreb. The country is divided into 20 counties and the city of Zagreb. Croatia covers ...
parents, he began playing football in his native Auckland for Blockhouse Bay Under-7's and went on to play over 50 times for his country.
Club career
"Zorro" began his senior career with Papatoetoe in Auckland before moving to Leyton OrientLeyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
in England between 1990-1993. He made 59 first team appearances there, and 12 as a substitute during his time in East London, before he was made to return home due to work permit restrictions. A group of Orient fans protested outside the home office to try to keep him in the country.
In 1994, Chris returned to New Zealand to play for Central United
Central United
Central United Football Club is a semi-professional Association football club based in Sandringham, Auckland, New Zealand...
, a Croatian-influenced team. His brother, Michael (who played Davis Cup
Davis Cup
The Davis Cup is the premier international team event in men's tennis. It is run by the International Tennis Federation and is contested between teams of players from competing countries in a knock-out format. The competition began in 1900 as a challenge between Britain and the United States. By...
tennis for New Zealand), and his father, Ivan, also turned out for Central at various points. However it was not long before Zoricich was on the move again, this time to Brisbane Strikers
Brisbane Strikers
The Brisbane Strikers are an Australian football club from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia who play in the Queensland State League.-National Soccer League:...
in the Australian National Soccer League
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
. He spent two seasons in Australia before heading to England to try his luck again. He made one appearance for Welling United
Welling United F.C.
Welling United Football Club are an English football club, based in Welling in the London Borough of Bexley. They currently play in the Conference South. The 2010–11 season was not a good one for them as the club had financial problems, nearly going bankrupt but lots of supporters chipped in and...
in the Vauxhall Conference and also had a trial spell with Chelsea, at that time managed by Ruud Gullit
Ruud Gullit
OON is a Dutch football manager and former football player, who played professionally in the 1980s and 1990s. He was the captain of the Netherlands national team that was victorious at Euro 88 and was also a member of the squad for the 1990 World Cup. He was named the European Footballer of the...
. During his time at Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge (stadium)
Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London, and is the home of Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green and is often referred to as simply The Bridge...
, Chris never made the first team but was a regular in the reserve side's defence.
Chris returned to Australia to re-sign for the Brisbane Strikers
Brisbane Strikers
The Brisbane Strikers are an Australian football club from Brisbane, Queensland, Australia who play in the Queensland State League.-National Soccer League:...
in 1997, after the club had won the NSL championship on their home ground. He then ended his NSL career by playing for Newcastle Breakers
Newcastle Breakers
Newcastle Breakers are a defunct Australian association football club. Formed out of elements of the Newcastle Austral club, they participated in the National Soccer League from season 1991/1992, until their dissolution in 1999/2000. The club fared poorly on the field in its nine seasons in the...
and Newcastle United, before returning to England as his English wife was homesick. After trialling with League Two side, Mansfield Town, he signed for Margate
Margate F.C.
Margate Football Club is an English football team based in the seaside resort of Margate, Kent, currently playing in the Isthmian League Premier Division. The club was known for a number of years during the 1980s as Thanet United....
in the Nationwide Conference and then moved on to St Albans City in the Conference South Division. This was followed by short spells at Harlow Town, Boreham Wood
Boreham Wood F.C.
Boreham Wood F.C. are a football club based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, at Meadow Park football ground. They were established in 1948, and have reached the FA Cup 2nd Round proper twice in their history. For 2011-12 they will play in Conference South...
, Heybridge Swifts and Wealdstone
Wealdstone F.C.
Wealdstone Football Club are an English semi-professional football club who formed in Wealdstone, in the London Borough of Harrow, but are currently based a few miles away in Ruislip, in the London Borough of Hillingdon. At present, the club are members of the Isthmian League Premier Division. They...
.
International career
Zoricich made his international debut against IsraelIsrael national football team
The Israel national football team is the national football team of Israel, controlled by the Israel Football Association .Israel National Football is the direct successor of the Eretz Yisrael National Team during British Mandate...
on 27 March 1988. He went on to win 57 caps in full 'A' internationals, including captaining the All Whites at the 1999 Confederations Cup in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and the 2003 Confederations Cup in France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
. His only international goal was in a 1-2 loss to USA
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
in June 1999 at the Confederations Cup
FIFA Confederations Cup
The FIFA Confederations Cup is an association football tournament for national teams, currently held every four years by FIFA. It is contested by the winners of each of the six FIFA confederation championships , along with the FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, to bring the number of teams...
.