Croatians in the Southern California
San Pedro Croat Club – Established in 1967
Despite a strong influence of Yugoslavia, in the 1950s, less than a hundred Croats openly declared themselves Croats and founded the “Croatian American Club” in San Pedro. At the suggestion of the brothers Bozo and Ive Deranja, they founded the Croat football club in 1967.
First President: Ante Huljev
First Secretary: Ivica Vilicic
First coach: Ivo Deranja
First Manager: Bozo Deranja
Early Days Supporters
The most prominent supporters from the first days are: Ivo Labar, Josip Mardesic, Milan Dominis, Vinko Mardesic, Tom Nell, Vlatko Kolega, Toni Blazevic, Mirko Murat, Josip Murat, Vinko Maric, Ivo Knezevic, Ivan Zivkovic, Vlado Lonza, Vlado Huljev, Martin Balov, Budimir Matek, Vlado Jelanic, Mario Juravic, and many other Croatians of San Pedro who morally and materially supported San Pedro Croat Club.
1968/1969
1970
1970 to 1973
1975
9 USA National Players & 14 National Players for other countries
Due to the Croat’s reputation and success, especially after 1983, the club management attracted the enormous talent and now renowned world class players.
Besides Croatian Ante Razov, SP Croat is proud to have other eight US National team playing for the club: Cobi Jones, Paul Krampe, Eddie Lewis, Martin Vasquez, Michael Collins, Steve Singleman, Joey Kirk and David Vanole. In addition, 14 other players played for national selections of their countries.