Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
RIP Milija Aleksic
October in South Africa, aged 61.thEveryone at the club was sorry to hear of the sudden death of our former goalkeeper Milija Aleksic, who died on 17
Born in April 1951 in Newcastle-under-Lyme to a Yugoslavian father and an English mother, he began his football career at the Vale under Sir Stanley Matthews.
Whilst aged just 17 and still an apprentice, an injury to Stuart Sharratt and Geoff Hickson being recalled by Crewe left Vale with Milija as the only fit ‘keeper on the books and so he had to play in an FA cup-tie at Shrewsbury in November 1968.
The game ended 1-1 and Vale won the replay 3-1 with Milija gaining many plaudits for his performance.
Vale then signed Keith Ball and so Milija went back to the reserves and was freed in 1969, never playing another game for us.
He then went to Eastwood and Stafford Rangers, helping them to win the FA Trophy at Wembley in 1972. He returned to the league with Plymouth, Luton Town and then Spurs, whom he helped to win the FA Cup in 1981.
He emigrated to South Africa in the early 1980’s, playing for Wits University and then took up a post at the Johannesburg golf club.
Our thoughts are with his family and friends.