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Leo Bertos

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Leo Bertos
Bertos playing for Wellington Phoenix in 2008
Personal information
Full name Leonida Christos Bertos[1]
Date of birth (1981-12-20) 20 December 1981 (age 42)[1]
Place of birth Wellington, New Zealand
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Winger
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2000 Wellington Olympic 53
2000–2003 Barnsley 12 (1)
2003–2005 Rochdale 82 (13)
2005 Chester City 5 (0)
2005 Barrow
2005–2006 York City 5 (0)
2006 Scarborough 1 (0)
2006 Worksop Town
2006–2008 Perth Glory 35 (1)
2008–2014 Wellington Phoenix 127 (9)
2014–2015 East Bengal 11 (0)
2014 → NorthEast United (loan) 4 (0)
2015–2018 Hamilton Olympic 40 (9)
International career
2003–2004 New Zealand U23 5 (1)
2003–2013 New Zealand 56 (0)
2014– New Zealand Futsal 2 (1)
Managerial career
2020– Weston Bears
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Leonida Christos Bertos (born 20 December 1981) is a New Zealand football coach and former player who is the head coach of Northern NSW NPL side Weston Bears. A winger, he was a New Zealand international from 2003 to 2013, representing his country at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Early life

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Bertos was born in Wellington,[1] to a Greek father and a New Zealand Māori mother.[2] He attended Holy Cross primary school (1987–1994) and Wellington College (1995–1999) where he played for the school's first XI.[3]

Bertos played for Wellington Olympic in the New Zealand domestic league between 1997 and 2000.[3]

Club career

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Barnsley

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Bertos started his career in England, playing in Barnsley's youth system.[4] He made his debut for the Barnsley reserve team against Rotherham United in October 2000[5] and his first-team debut for Barnsley in a 0–4 defeat to Preston North End on 16 April 2001. Bertos signed a professional contract for the club a day later.[6][7] He picked up a knee injury whilst playing in Tenerife,[8] the results of which required a second opinion.[9] These results were delayed,[10] but, when received, it was confirmed that no meniscus was present to his tendon.[11] He scored once for Barnsley; in a 4–1 defeat to Bristol City.[12]

Rochdale

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He had a reasonably successful two-year spell at Rochdale scoring the goal in a 1–0 win at Kidderminster that secured the team's League status in 2003–04, but fell out of favour the following year and was released.

Chester City

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After failing to impress in a short spell at Chester City Bertos played non-league football for Barrow, York City, Scarborough and Worksop Town.

Perth Glory

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Bertos signed for A-League franchise Perth Glory for the start of the 2006–07 season on a two-year contract. Bertos' signing was an attempt to add depth to a Perth midfield that lacked consistency and strength in 2005–06. Bertos replaced star midfield player Nick Ward. Starting all 21 matches of the regular season, Bertos' pace, ability to beat his man, and dangerous crosses from wide areas, resulted in nine assists in his debut season, making him the highest assisting player in the league. Fans bemoaned the fact he failed to find the back of the net given the number of good scoring opportunities.

Bertos explored new opportunities during the A-League off-season. Glory manager Ron Smith allowed him to trial with Greek club Skoda Xanthi, however the trial was unsuccessful and Bertos returned to Perth in time for the start of the 2007–08 season.

During the 2007–08 season Bertos made fourteen appearances for the club and scored one goal and had two assists.

Wellington Phoenix

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Bertos playing for Wellington Phoenix in 2009

On 24 January 2008, Bertos was signed on a free transfer by his hometown club Wellington Phoenix on a two-year contract.[13] He made his club debut in the opening game of the 2008–09 season against Brisbane Roar. Bertos scored his first goal for Wellington against Sydney on 7 November 2008. He played in 16 of the 21 regular season matches making 14 starts with 2 goals and 4 assists. Bertos was named Wellington Phoenix Player of the Year for 2008–09.

The 2009–10 season was incredibly successful for Bertos and the Phoenix. Bertos played a central role during the regular season to ensure a first finals appearance for the club. He played every game of the season, starting 23 of the 28 matches, scoring 2 goals and providing 8 assists. He holds the all-time leading assists record for the club with 12. On 1 October 2009 he signed a three-year contract extension. On 13 April 2014, the Phoenix announced he would be leaving the club.

East Bengal

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On 19 July 2014, he signed for Indian club East Bengal FC for a two-year contract. On the virtue of playing in 2010 FIFA World Cup, he qualifies as the marquee player of the club.[14] He was issued the number 11 jersey.[15] He made his debut in a CFL match against Techno Aryan on 23 August 2014, coming as a substitute for Mehtab Hussain.[16]

NorthEast United

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As the Indian Super League started, Bertos joined the competition by going on loan to NorthEast United. There he reunited with his former coach at national team Ricki Herbert.[17]

Hamilton Olympic

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Bertos signed for Australian National Premier Leagues side Hamilton Olympic for the 2016 season after training for several weeks with Newcastle Jets.[18]

International career

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Bertos made his international debut against Iran on 13 October 2003[19] and has represented New Zealand over 50 times since.[20] He has also represented New Zealand at under-23 level.

Bertos is known for his dribbling and quality skills on the ball. This was shown in the New Zealand vs Brazil game in which he dribbled around two defenders to win a corner. He also played many one-twos and did a drag-back once in the second half. In the first game of the New Zealand vs Malaysia series (which New Zealand won 1–0), Bertos received the Man of the Match award for his magnificent dribbling performance and domination of the Malaysian defence.

He represented New Zealand at the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa.[21] He provided the assist for New Zealand's first two goals against World Champions Italy in a 4–3 friendly loss in Pretoria prior to the Confederations Cup.

2010 FIFA World Cup

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In Wellington on 14 November 2009, Bertos provided the assist and delivered the corner from which Rory Fallon headed a thumping game winner against Bahrain to give New Zealand the two-legged aggregate win needed to secure a spot at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Bertos was on hand to see the World Cup trophy unveiled on New Zealand soil for the first time, when it made an eight-hour stop-over in Auckland on 27 April 2010 on its worldwide tour before the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

On 10 May 2010 Bertos was named as one of eight midfielders in the final 23-man squad to travel to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in June. The squad played several official warm-up internationals against Australia, Serbia, Slovenia and Chile before the World Cup.[22]

Bertos played in all three games at the World Cup, putting in gritty performances to earn New Zealand a 1–1 draw with Slovakia, a 1–1 draw with reigning world champions Italy, and their final 0–0 draw with Paraguay.

Futsal

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Bertos was named in the New Zealand Futsal squad to play Australia in a three match series in July 2014 scoring a goal in his debut for the side[23]

Management career

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Bertos was named the coach of Weston Bears in January 2020 after former manager Kew Jaliens flagged an intention to return to Europe.[24]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 30 May 2015
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Barnsley 2000–01[25] First Division 2 0 0 0 0 0 — 2 0
2001–02[26] First Division 4 0 1 0 0 0 — 5 0
2002–03[27] Second Division 6 1 0 0 0 0 — 6 1
Total 12 1 1 0 0 0 — 13 1
Rochdale 2003–04[28] Third Division 40 9 1 1 1 0 1[a] 0 43 10
2004–05[29] League Two 42 4 3 0 0 0 1[a] 0 46 4
Total 82 13 4 1 1 0 2 0 89 14
Chester City 2005–06[30] League Two 5 0 — 1 0 1[a] 0 7 0
York City 2005–06[31] Conference National 5 0 — — 1[b] 0 6 0
Scarborough 2005–06[30] Conference National 1 0 — — — 1 0
Perth Glory 2006–07[32] A-League 21 0 — — — 21 0
2007–08[32] A-League 14 1 — — — 14 1
Total 35 1 — — — 35 1
Wellington Phoenix 2008–09[33] A-League 16 2 — — — 16 2
2009–10[33] A-League 30 2 — — — 30 2
2010–11[33] A-League 22 4 — — — 22 4
2011–12[33] A-League 28 1 — — — 28 1
2012–13[33] A-League 24 0 — — — 24 0
2013–14[33] A-League 7 0 — — — 7 0
Total 127 9 — — — 127 9
East Bengal 2014–15[33] I-League 11 0 — — 2[c] 0 13 0
NorthEast United (loan) 2014[33] Indian Super League 4 0 — — — 4 0
Career total 282 24 5 1 2 0 6 0 295 25
  1. ^ a b c Appearance in Football League Trophy
  2. ^ Appearance in FA Trophy
  3. ^ Appearances in AFC Cup

International

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As of match played 13 November 2013[34]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
New Zealand 2003 1 0
2004 5 0
2005 1 0
2006 8 0
2007 6 0
2008 1 0
2009 8 0
2010 9 0
2012 11 0
2013 6 0
Total 56 0

Honours

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Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Leo Bertos". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 2 May 2018.
  2. ^ Woodcock, Fred (31 August 2009). "Greece is the word for Bertos". Stuff. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  3. ^ a b Clements, Connor. "Former Wellington stalwart Leo Bertos exclusively reflects on his storied career". Outside 90. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
  4. ^ "Late shocker for academy". Barnsley F.C. 23 October 2000. Retrieved 13 December 2008.
  5. ^ "Reserves face Millers". Barnsley F.C. 31 October 2000. Archived from the original on 7 August 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  6. ^ "Barnsley 0–4 Preston". BBC Sport. 16 April 2001. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  7. ^ "Youngsters sign contracts". Barnsley F.C. 17 April 2001. Retrieved 21 July 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ "Bertos waiting for scan results". Barnsley F.C. 6 August 2001. Archived from the original on 18 June 2010. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  9. ^ "Bertos must have second opinion". Barnsley F.C. 6 August 2001. Retrieved 21 July 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  10. ^ "Bertos faces longer wait". Barnsley F.C. 7 August 2001. Retrieved 21 July 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  11. ^ "Bertos receives good news". Barnsley F.C. 8 August 2001. Retrieved 21 July 2008.[permanent dead link‍]
  12. ^ "Barnsley 1–4 Bristol City". BBC Sport. 12 October 2002. Retrieved 30 August 2012.
  13. ^ "Phoenix snare Bertos". The Dominion Post. Wellington. 23 January 2008. Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  14. ^ "EAST BENGAL SIGNED LEO BERTOS AS MARQUEE FOREIGNER". indiafooty.com. 3 February 2021. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  15. ^ "Registration complete". Leo Bertos via Facebook. Archived from the original on 26 February 2022. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  16. ^ "Kingfisher East Bengal edge past Aryan". East Bengal. Archived from the original on 14 January 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2014.
  17. ^ "Leo Bertos signs for NorthEast United FC". Goal. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  18. ^ Craig Kerry (19 September 2015). "Hamilton Olympic land Leo Bertos". The Newcastle Herald. Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  19. ^ "A-International Lineups". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 13 October 2008. Retrieved 4 June 2009.
  20. ^ "A-International Appearances – Overall". The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website. Archived from the original on 7 October 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2009.
  21. ^ "2009 Confederations Cup – New Zealand squad". FIFA. Archived from the original on 13 June 2009. Retrieved 9 June 2009.
  22. ^ "All Whites World Cup squad named". Stuff. Retrieved 10 May 2010.
  23. ^ New Zealand Football
  24. ^ "Welcome Leo Bertos". Weston Bears FC. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  25. ^ "Games played by Leo Bertos in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  26. ^ "Games played by Leo Bertos in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  27. ^ "Games played by Leo Bertos in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  28. ^ "Games played by Leo Bertos in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  29. ^ "Games played by Leo Bertos in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  30. ^ a b "Games played by Leo Bertos in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  31. ^ Batters, David (2008). York City: The Complete Record. Derby: Breedon Books. pp. 406–407, 420–421. ISBN 978-1-85983-633-0.
  32. ^ a b "Leo Bertos". ALeagueStats. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  33. ^ a b c d e f g h "L. Bertos". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 22 April 2016.
  34. ^ "Bertos, Leo". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  35. ^ "News Display". Archived from the original on 1 March 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2009.
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