Vale Jim Milisavljevic

Football Australia is saddened to hear of the passing of 1974 FIFA World Cup squad member Dragoljub 'Jim' Milisavljevic.

Jim was born in Melbourne in 1951, a year after his parents had migrated from Yugoslavia.

He rose through the ranks at Footscray JUST, before graduating to the Victorian State League first grade side under Rale Rasic.

Milisavljevic was later called up to the Socceroos by Rasic, where he played four games in the lead-up to the 1974 FIFA World Cup and travelled to West Germany as part of Australia's first FIFA World Cup squad.

He also appeared several times for Victoria, including against international clubs Cruzerio, Ferencvaros and Legia Warsaw.

Still just a teenager, he was a fringe player in JUST's 1969 Victorian state league premiership-winning season, but was a regular starter as JUST secured the premiership in 1971 and 1973 - when he conceded just 13 goals over the 22-game season.

Remembered as a goalkeeper, Milisavljevic also played several games in the outfield, including for JUST in the 1975 Victorian Ampol Cup final where he was substituted on as a striker and scored in extra time to secure a 1-0 win over South Melbourne.

He later took on player-coaching roles with Carlton Serbia and Ringwood and was a State Federation administrator.

Football Australia sends its condolences to the Milisavljevic family and those closest to Jim. Vale.