- Source: SC Croat San Pedro
SC Croat San Pedro is a Croatian immigrant community football club from San Pedro, United States.
History
The club was founded in 1967 on the proposal of Božo and Ivo Deranja, with the assistance of the Croatian-American Club of San Pedro. The first president of the club was the late Ante Huljev, the first secretary was Ivica Viličić, the first coach was Ivo Deranja, and the first director was Božo Deranja.
The notable individuals from the early days include Josip Mardešić, Ivo Labar, Milan Dominis, the late Vinko Mardešić, Tom Nell, Vlatko Kolega, Tony Blazević, Mirko Murat, Josip Murat, Vinko Marić, Ivo Knežević, Ivan Živković, Vlado Lonza, Vlado Huljev, and many other Croatians from San Pedro who provided moral and material support to their footballers.
Achievements
In 1968/1969, the club won first place in the II. League of Los Angeles, with Božo Deranja, Tom Nell, Ivo Labar, and Tony Blažević leading the team.
From 1970 to 1973, the club achieved one first and two second places in the I. League of Los Angeles. The team was led by Toni Marciolli, Tony Blažević, Miljenko Gotovac, and Valentino Hrboka.
In 1975, the club won first place without a defeat under the guidance of Valentino Hrboka and Miljenko Gotovac.
In 1983, Stanko Bilaver became the coach, and since then, the club has achieved its greatest successes in its 40-year history.
Budweiser Cup: 1986, 1987
GLASL Champions: 1988, 1989, 1990
Winners of the California Cup: 1988, 1989, 1990
Golden West League Champions: 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998
Los Angeles Municipal League Champions: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
On May 20, 2007, they defeated Los Angeles Soccer Club 3-1 in the final match, becoming champions of the Los Angeles Municipal League for the eighth consecutive time.
NK Croat is one of the founding clubs of the Croatian Football Tournament for California and the West Coast of America. It is the only club to have participated in all tournaments, reaching the final 26 times and winning the tournament 12 times.
Participation in Croatia
SC Croat San Pedro participated in the First World Croatian Emigrant Football Tournament in 2007, the and the Croatian World Club Championship
in 2011.