Galekovic takes out Club Champions Award
Adelaide United FC goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic has capped off an exceptional 12 months by taking home the prestigious Aurelio Vidmar Club Champion Award at The Reds’ end of season Presentation Night.
Galekovic taking out the night-s big award was a popular choice among the crowd at the club-s night of glitz and glamour, the keeper having a standout year which included 10 clean sheets and 82 saves in the Hyundai A-League 2008/09 Season, plus six clean sheets in United-s historic 2008 AFC Champions League campaign.
The 27 year old also captured the Player-s Player Award, which is an award voted on by the players to the player who has consistently been the most valuable on the field and has continually set high standards for his team mates, capping off a big night for the keeper.
“It-s great to be honoured by the players and to be the club champion but in the end you want to win team trophies and hopefully next year we can win the championship,” Galekovic said.
“It was definitely a surprise. You just come here for a good night and if you win an award it-s a bonus. To win two awards is something special and I-m really honoured to be a part of it.”
Galekovic, who was Melbourne Victory-s second choice keeper before joining Adelaide United midway through the 2007/08 season, made numerous world class saves throughout the season, playing a major part in the Reds- success, his performances earning him a Socceroos call up.
“18 months ago I was in Melbourne and sitting on the bench as the second keeper. To come to Adelaide and get a new lease of life, I love it here and hopefully I will be here for a long time to come because I love the club and the players are fantastic,” Galekovic said.
Other award winners on the night included hard working midfielder Fabian Barbiero, who was named Best Team Man, while Scott Jamieson added to his Hyundai A-League Rising Star Award with the club-s Rising Star accolade.
Michael Marrone, who was recently signed to The Reds- Hyundai A-League squad, and Di Alagich, took out the Most Valuable Player for United-s National Youth League and Westfield W-League teams respectively.
The night celebrated and concluded what has been a momentous year for Adelaide United after their conquests in the Hyundai A-League, AFC Champions League and FIFA Club World Cup, The Reds- senior squad now taking leave before resuming pre season training in mid April.
Adelaide United 2008/09 Award Winners
Aurelio Vidmar Club Champion - Eugene Galekovic Player-s Player - Eugene Galekovic Best Team Man - Fabian Barbiero Rising Star - Scott Jamieson Most Valuable Player - National Youth League - Michael Marrone Most Valuable Player - Westfield Women-s League - Di Alagich
Adelaide United FC - Previous Award Winners
Aurelio Vidmar Club Champion 2007/08 Cassio, 2006/07 Jason Spagnuolo, 2005/06 Carl Veart, 2003/04 Richie Alagich
Player-s Player 2007/08 Cassio, 2006/07 Jason Spagnuolo, 2005/06 Michael Valkanis, 2003/04 Richie Alagich
Best Team Man 2007/08 Shaun Ontong, 2006/07 Robert Cornthwaite, 2005/06 Matthew Kemp, 2003/04 Michael Valkanis
Rising Star 2007/08 Bruce Djite, 2006/07 Nathan Burns, 2005/06 Adam van Dommele, 2003/04 Aaron Goulding