Peta Bala'c

Born in Exeter, England, Bala'c played at the Exeter City and Plymouth Argyle youth academies. He graduated to the reserve team after his performances in the 1969 FA Youth Cup especially in a first round win over Torquay United.[1] He made his professional debut on 8 January 1972 in a 4–0 win over York City starting the match for an ill Jim Furnell. He became a regular for over a year before Furnell returned. He played his last match on 4 November 1972 in a 7–1 loss to Oldham Athletic.[2] Bala'c is described as a keeper who was quite acrobatic but was held back by his height.[3] Bala'c played in the second half in a friendly match against Santos FC on 14 March 1973 where he only conceded a penalty from Pelé which was a consolation goal for Santos. Even before it was taken, the Santos players started walking to the centre line awaiting kick off, because they knew he wouldn't miss. Santos lost 3–1. The Santos squad had the likes of Edu, Carlos Alberto and Clodoaldo who all won the 1970 FIFA World Cup with Brazil.[4] He got a call-up to the England youth team. He left after a falling out with new manager Tony Waiters.[5] In June 2012, he was nominated as one of Argyle's Greatest Goalkeepers along Pat Dunne, Jim Furnell, Milija Aleksic, Geoff Crudgington and Rhys Wilmot.[6]

Bala'c played with England players such as Johnny Haynes, Alan Ball and George Best in Durban.[5]

Bala'c lost his place to Bruce Grobbelaar who he had been friends with during his spell at Liverpool. He described Eusébio's presence as a highlight of his career.[5]

Bala'c had brief spells with Sacramento Gold and Sporting Lisbon winning the ASL Championship in 1980 under coach Bill Williams with fellow countrymen Ian Filby, Bobby Arber and Gordon Fearnley.[5][7]

Bala'c was persuaded by Tony Waiters to go to South Africa. He joined Kaizer Chiefs in the famous 1981 quadruple winning season and won thirteen trophies in five years not losing a single cup final and set an unofficial world record of 21 consecutive clean sheets. The record was unofficial because South Africa had not been admitted to FIFA until 1992. He is infamously remembered for conceding a free-kick from the halfway line from Mlungisi Ngubane in 1984.[8][2]

Bala'c came back to play in the Devon South Western League under Johnny Hore in 1986 and played as a midfielder for Shell Swan and Chester Nomad Sixths in Division Two and the Chester Sunday League until retiring in his fifties. He converted to midfielder after being inspired by Kaizer Chiefs' one touch play.[2]