DOB: 9.4.1964, Spearwood, WA
From: Perth Glory or Spearwood Dalmatinac?
To: Free
BCFC: 22.8.1997 to 4.2.1998
Signed by: Chris Kamara
Sold by: Paul Jewell
Now: ?
Unfortunately, Robert Zabica’s short spell at Bradford City is remembered for one game … a 4-0 thumping at home to Sunderland. Zabica never wore BCFC’s goalkeeping jersey again.
At the age of 33, the signing of Zabica – for a reported fee of £100,000 – was always a gamble, but his pedigree couldn’t be questioned. He played 42 times for the Socceroos (27 full internationals) and was in goal when Australia lost 1-0 to a Diego Maradona-inspired Argentina in the 1994 World Cup qualifying play-off, second leg in Buenos Aires.
After joining City, Zabica was second-choice behind the experienced Mark Prudhoe, but just four games into the 1997-98 season was picked to play in a League Cup tie against Huddersfield.
A 1-1 draw at Valley Parade saw BCFC knocked out by their Yorkshire neighbours, but Zabica kept his place for the next two league games, a 3-0 win at Reading and a 2-1 win at Huddersfield sending the Bantams top of the league (Division One as it was then, the Championship as it is now).
However, then came Sunderland, with Zabica at fault on more than one of the goals, and he was promptly replaced by Prudhoe for the next game. Chris Kamara then bought Gary Walsh, one of the best goalkeepers in City’s history, and Zabica suddenly found himself third choice.
In February 1998, Zabica and the club decided to part ways, with Paul Jewell telling The Telegraph & Argus: ‘Rob Zabica’s move has never really worked out due to the injuries he has suffered and it has been mutually decided that he will return home.’
“It was all done very amicably. He has had a reconstruction of his knee while here and there have also been signs of arthritis. It is disappointing for him and us.”
An interview with Robert Zabica appeared in issue 75 of The City Gent.
Zabica played in Durham for six months in the mid-80’s on a cricket scholarship. His name appeared in the Australia press in January 2006 credited with, bizarrely, helping Australian one-day international bowler Brett Dorey to bowl an outswinger.
Zabica was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in October 2006, being awarded the ‘Medal of Excellence’, the second highest level awarded by Football Federation Australia.
Last updated 3.6.11
BCFC Stats:
Appearances: 4 Goals 0
League appearances: 3 League goals: 0
Cup appearances: 1 Cup goals: 0
