Ex-Socceroo Josip Skoko has been hailed by his former club as having the most professional attitude of any player officials have encountered.Cem Onuk, general manager of Turkish side Genclerbirligi, said Skoko’s professionalism had been a key factor in the club’s decision to pursue Australian players as a matter of policy.
“Australians at this club all started with Skoko,” Onuk said. “His professionalism as a footballer in the club was essential and made a difference. He left me with good memories.”
Skoko played for Genclerbirligi from 2003 to 2005 before signing for Wigan Athletic in England’s Premier League.
Genclerbirligi subsequently signed Australians Nick Carle, Bruce Djite, James Troisi and Mile Jedinak, while Mile Sterjovski spent six months with sister club Genclerbirligi OFTAS.
Onuk said he was surprised by Skoko’s honesty and lack of greed.
“We give our players a car and a home,” Onuk explained. “Skoko said, ‘I’m going to live in a villa. What do you pay for players’ homes? A thousand dollars? OK, I’ll pay the difference. I’ll buy my own household goods and furniture.’
“He went and purchased goods for himself on his own. He said, ‘I’m a professional sportsman, I have my own car and I’ll bring that to Ankara’. He had a Porsche jeep, So, for the first time, a footballer purchased his own furniture and his own car.
“I’ve been at this club for 24 years. This was the first time I’d ever seen anything like this from a player. This was the first time I’ve seen a sportsman put his own hand in his own pocket to pay for things. That was Skoko.
“But we didn’t let him pay the difference in the apartment,” Onuk said. “Genclerbirligi paid for his home.”
Skoko is now signed to Hajduk Split in Croatia, the club that kick-started his playing career in Europe over 14 years ago.
“Australians at this club all started with Skoko,” Onuk said. “His professionalism as a footballer in the club was essential and made a difference. He left me with good memories.”
Skoko played for Genclerbirligi from 2003 to 2005 before signing for Wigan Athletic in England’s Premier League.
Genclerbirligi subsequently signed Australians Nick Carle, Bruce Djite, James Troisi and Mile Jedinak, while Mile Sterjovski spent six months with sister club Genclerbirligi OFTAS.
Onuk said he was surprised by Skoko’s honesty and lack of greed.
“We give our players a car and a home,” Onuk explained. “Skoko said, ‘I’m going to live in a villa. What do you pay for players’ homes? A thousand dollars? OK, I’ll pay the difference. I’ll buy my own household goods and furniture.’
“He went and purchased goods for himself on his own. He said, ‘I’m a professional sportsman, I have my own car and I’ll bring that to Ankara’. He had a Porsche jeep, So, for the first time, a footballer purchased his own furniture and his own car.
“I’ve been at this club for 24 years. This was the first time I’d ever seen anything like this from a player. This was the first time I’ve seen a sportsman put his own hand in his own pocket to pay for things. That was Skoko.
“But we didn’t let him pay the difference in the apartment,” Onuk said. “Genclerbirligi paid for his home.”
Skoko is now signed to Hajduk Split in Croatia, the club that kick-started his playing career in Europe over 14 years ago.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.