Dare to be Different

Ljubo Milicevic’s time with the Newcastle Jets may have passed; his future, however, lies firmly in his own hands, Chris Hills writes.

Sitting in front of me is a tall, rugged and imposing figure. A big barrel chest outlines a loose fitting Rolling Stones t-shirt, a pair of aviators hanging from the collar, the sleeves are rolled to the shoulders, accentuating the tattoo covered arms draping out of them, dappling in the morning sun.

Atop of his head sits a black, suede hat with a feather in it that looks like it has been taken from a Johnny Depp film set. All that’s missing from this picture is a guitar case and a bottle of Jack Daniels with the word ‘Keef’ written on the label. Often painted in the media as a renegade, the charismatic and larger than life, Ljubo Milicevic, looms as a riddle wrapped inside riddle.

He is a cult hero amongst Jets’ fans, a man who leads with his heart on his sleeve, and while not strict in the literal sense, he is a martyr every time he sets foot on the field. The bloke even strips for them, throwing his playing kit into the crowd on numerous occasions as a sign of thanks and appreciation. I’m not sure if any other player has ever had a stronger relationship with the fans in the history of the A-League than Ljubo has.

The recent news that Ljubo’s time at the Jets was up has come as a sad surprise to the Hunter community. Just take a look at the comments left on the Newcastle Herald and local football forum sites. Before Christmas, Ljubo appeared settled and happy in Newcastle. His form on the park was reminiscent of his days as captain of FC Thun. Off the park, there were no renegade headlines or signs of fracture between team mates. In fact, many fans’ believed the Jets were a genuine chance at the title with a resurgence from the side appearing to have them destined for a top six and semi-finals birth. There was even talk of Ljubo making Newcastle a permanent home. It seemed strange that, all of a sudden, Ljubo decided to pack up his bags and leave for Europe to chase a dream, when everything was fitting into place in Newcastle for him.

The truth is, Ljubo was betrayed. According to several well placed sources, during the festive period, senior members of the coaching staff and player group organised a secret vote that was put to the players, behind Ljubo’s back, to decide whether his services should be renewed beyond the end of the current season. Regardless of the result, the damage had been done. Their captain had been stabbed in the back at the highest level, an act that would do a Shakespearean tragedy proud, by the very people he should have been able to trust. The Jets have attempted to keep the Machiavellian deed quiet, but in a small town like Newcastle, people know, and they aren’t happy.

When asked about the whole situation, Ljubo answered with grace.

“I’ve got nothing against the club, I’ve loved my time here in Newcastle, the fans accepted me from day one and have been nothing short of exceptional.

“Sometimes things don’t work out and I felt it was time to go, but that’s life and that’s football, I’m ready to move on with my life, and career, and I wish all the best for the boys in their future”.

There has been no shortage of offers for the towering central defender since his ties were severed with the Jets, with interest generated from clubs in Denmark, Switzerland, Croatia and Sweden and more recently, Perth Glory and the New York Red Bulls. Having confidence in one’s own abilities and living without fear are integral parts of Ljubo’s complex and quirky being, and one of the traits that hold him in good-sted, not only for a return to Europe, but for life in general.

“I came across a quote the other day by Henry Ford. He said ‘whether you think you will succeed or not - you're right’, and in one sentence, he described the two fundamentally different mindsets of most of the human race.

“I’ve made some mistakes, but I don’t have any regrets.

“You know, death is certain and life is not, and I plan on taking full advantage of that”.

It’s not hard to guess which way Ljubo’s mind is set.

While confidence breeds success, for Ljubo, success on the park is only one aspect he hopes to achieve in the future, but it is far from the single, driving force.

“Success in life is about evolving as a human being, finding relationships and meeting lovely people.

“I’ve been lucky enough to be able to drink good wine, eat good food, meet lovely people and play some good football in my time, and I’ll be pretty content if that happens for a few more years at least”.

It is no secret that to play in the Champions League again would be a dream come true for the man twice named man of the match against Arsenal, though he admits that there is more to life than accolades.

“Trophies and medals are always nice but they don’t signify what you do in life or who you are.

“I don’t need the accolades to reassure my existence, I know who I am and I’m comfortable with that and where I’m going in life.

“I hang paintings and art work around my house, I have statues, not awards”.

At 29, Ljubo’s form is as good as it’s ever been and he has far more experience and maturity this time around to battle the hardships overseas at the top level. Ljubo also has a partner this time in the form of PhD student, model and girlfriend, Iskra Galic. The prospect of being able to share life’s experience is something that excites Ljubo.

“We’ve really cast a spell on each other, I believe Iskra and I are soul mates.

“Being able to share your life with someone is bound to have an effect on you in a way like nothing else”.

It is sad for Jets’ fans and the A-League in general that Ljubo, a fantastic contributor on and off the pitch, was forced out under the circumstances he was. The bust ups between Ljubo and fellow team mates have been well publicised, and while he may go over the top at times, he only does what he does and says what he says to get the best out of the individual and the team; he expects and demands the best. I doubt that Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Patrick Viera were everyone’s best mate, but you wouldn’t hesitate to build a team around them. What Ljubo lacks in tact and decorum, he certainly makes up for in heart and desire.

The A-League is at a stage where it is still young and developing as a professional league, a different league to the one Ljubo is in, in more than just one way. Australian football wasn’t, and isn’t, ready for a character as big, as honest and as professional as Ljubo. He is a big player and a big person and in what is ostensibly a young man’s world, maybe too big a man for those still learning about themselves.

The world has a funny way of working itself out, this turn of events may prove to be a blessing in disguise for Ljubo, who is moving on, ready to start off where things really began for him. His time here is up, as is the time for the interview. The man who is dressed as a rock star and has lived as a lion amongst lambs, gets up and makes his way toward his car, leaving behind a parting note on the coffee table. It reads “dare to be different”.


Photos courtesy of Adrian Fowler Photography