Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Vas Kalogeracos

Overseas Clubs:                                 

Birmingham City, Stockport (England)

NSL Clubs:                                         

Perth Glory, Collingwood Warriors, South Melbourne, Football Kingz

Diegos Verdict:                                   

On his day, one of the most exciting performers in the NSL but spent a career looking for love, as it’s turned out, in all the wrong places.

Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Vas Kalogeracos

Vas on his nickname…

Diegos: “The Diego's have a number of nicknames for you…

• 'Vaseline Vas' because you're a slippery customer on the field.
• 'Killer Kalogeracos' because you look like a WWF wrestler.
• 'Vatican Vas' because you never tell a lie and preach the "Holy Glory" Gospel to everyone you meet.

In your opinion, which best describes you?"

Kalogeracos: “If I say the last one best describes me most people who know me well will know that I'm lying.

The other options are pretty spot - on. I really don't mind them. I don't have a nickname so l might adopt a Diego nickname to see me through."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Vas on his Glory teammates…

Diegos: “You are a stocky, 'nuggety' type of striker, but your team has its blessing of tall timber, namely Kiwi international and baby giraffe, Danny Hay; Socceroo and the walking Empire State building, John Markovski and Olyroo, Danny "Mount Everest" Milosevic. 

Have they all got a mean streak or are they merely gentle giants in "Godzilla-like" bodies?"

Kalogeracos: “I think that they are all gentle giants. I certainly don't take them too seriously. At training if they get in the way l just try and go through them.

It doesn't really matter how big they are. Having said that, Danny Hay has a bit of a short fuse at times when he gets onto the ground. Generally though, they're all as nice as pie."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Vas on his record against South Melbourne…

Diegos: “Some players seem to always play well against certain teams.  You tend to produce blinders against South Melbourne, with some of your cracking goals proving testimony to that fact.  

Is it because you like sending the South glamour boys back to their hairdressing salons with their pony tail tucked firmly between their legs, or is it pure coincidence that you tend to play well against them?"

Kalogeracos: “I think that it's just pure coincidence. We seem to play well against the better sides. When a team let's us play, I think that we just lift a gear. When you play against poor teams you tend to get dragged down to their level. "

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Vas in the UK…

Diegos: “Most young Aussies of Greek descent grow up dreaming about forging a career with AEK Athens, Olympiakos or Panathinaikos.  You instead tried your luck with Birmingham City and Stockport County in the English Nationwide league.

How did the move come about and was it a good experience?"

Kalogeracos: “It was a great experience. My first stint was when l was a lot younger, 19 years old. I was there for 18 months but left in the end because there were too many players at Birmingham City and l didn't feel l was going to get a run. I came home for a while, then Malaysia and then went for a second stint to England.

Unfortunately it didn't work out again. As far as England is concerned l don't think I'll ever go back there."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Vas on Bernd…

Diegos: “You’ve played under East German coach, Bernd Stange for over half a season now. 

What are your impressions of him and has he given you a definite role in the squad?"

Kalogeracos: “I think that he is an exceptional coach. He brings ideas to the clubs that with another coach we would never know about. He is very professional in his approach and is one of the nicest people that you would ever meet. He is a really good bloke and quite a joker.

He likes to keep everyone laughing. As far as my role in the squad is concerned, I've been finding myself in and out of the team. I like to have a permanent position but unfortunately it hasn't come along. I guess I'll have to wait my turn."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999