The death occurred in Hobart last week of Drago ‘Charlie’ Knapek, who was one of Croatia Glenorchy’s (Glenorchy Knights) original players after the club was founded in 1957.
Knapek, who was 90, was born in Croatia and came to Australia as a young migrant.
He played initially for Croatia in the 1958 and 1959 seasons before moving to Caledonian and Rapid.
He spent over a decade with Caledonian and then Rapid in the 1960s and early 1970s.
Knapek was a skilled inside forward who scored his fair share of goals in the Number 10 role.
Photo: Charlie Knapek (third from left in front row) in the 1963 Caledonian side
He rekindled his ties with Croatia Glenorchy following his retirement as a player, especially in recent years.
My condolences go to his wife of 65 years, Verna, and to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
*****
The word is that David Smith will be the new coach of NPL club Kingborough Lions United, replacing Alfred Hess, who has joined Football Tasmania in a coaching role.
Smith retired recently from Football Tasmania, where he has served in a number of roles over the years.
Smith had an illustrious playing career in Tasmania and interstate.
After serving as CEO of the Tasmanian Soccer Federation in the 1990s, he moved interstate and was the director of coaching in Northern NSW and Victoria before returning to Tasmania, where he was involved in coaching roles and youth development with Football Tasmania.
The word I have is that Hess is going back to NPL club South Hobart as a player.
He will possibly be joined at South Hobart by his captain when he was at Kingborough, Kobe Kemp, who is also a former South Hobart player.
Meanwhile, NPL champions Glenorchy Knights’ new senior coach to replace James Sherman is reported to be an Englishman from Victoria.
Knights have lost several of their imports and will obviously need to rebuild somewhat after winning the title in 2024.
Things falling apart at Kingborough?
ReplyDeleteRemember Drago, after I started my time in Tasmania with Rapid and later with Croatia Glenorchy, and White Eagles ,always absolute football gentleman..
ReplyDeleteCondolences to family - RIP Charlie - sorry to spoil a story but I haven’t spoken to any club re Senior coaching positions - David Smith
ReplyDeleteWalter waffle?
ReplyDeleteNo, just scuttlebutt, but then again, you probably don’t know what that word means.
ReplyDeleteRumours that are false, David himself said it in a comment above?
DeleteYou’re right mate I don’t know what that word means care to explain?
DeleteRest in Peace , you'll never be forgotten as a man of football in our state.
ReplyDeleteI don't think think Kingborough is falling apart (24/10 12:00PM), I believe that the club will do the right thing, and bring the right person in to replace such a top quality coach like Alfred.
Coach leaves for another role, which is fair enough. However he leaves the club as player and goes to play for South and may take Kemp with him. Sounds like things falling apart.
DeleteKingborough will need to invest in some signings if they are too compete their squad was already thin. Maybe time for them to play some younger players this was always bound to happen with their aging squad.
ReplyDeleteBorough getting it done quickly massive club.
ReplyDelete