Welcome to episode 76 of the Football United vs Soccer City podcast. 

Firstly I would like to sincerely thank all of the interviewees, listeners and the football community of the Illawarra, Australia and around the World who download this podcast. Additionally I would like to say thank you to the brilliant people who contribute, comment and reminisce on the social media pages.

Rade Stevanovski is our interviewee in episode 76. He was born in a village near Bitola, Macedonia, in 1958. With no structured football development in his childhood and teenage years, Rade had to develop and learn the game by watching TV and practising. With repetition, skill and perseverance, Rade then made his way into Bitola’s Transkop Football Club, which played against teams from all parts of Yugoslavia. 

In 1981 he received a phone call from his Aunty in Australia which changed his life trajectory and in that year he came out to Australia for a new opportunity and to play football with Wollongong Macedonia in the 2nd tier of the NSW State League. In the next 20 years Rade then made a name for himself in the National Soccer League, NSW State League and Illawarra Premier League. Most notably he was part of the highly successful Wollongong City Wolves team who won the double in the NSW State League in 1987 and won the 1988 NSL league championship.

I appreciated the opportunity to record and listen to Rade’s football journey. I have sincere respect and thanks for the time Rade spent in delving into his football career and for allowing me into his home. Please enjoy episode 76!