Momčilo Gavrić (footballer)

Momčilo "Gabbo" Gavrić (August 4, 1938 – March 13, 2010) was born in Sinj, Kingdom of Yugoslavia into a large family. Gavric aspired to play professional soccer. In 1959 he left Sinj for Beograd, and immediately began playing with first division side OFK Beograd. He was one of the club's best players, and never missed a game during his nine-years with the club. He had call-ups to the national team, but only ended up playing for the B national team. He left Yugoslavia in 1967, in order to go to the United States and make more money. In 1967 he signed with the Oakland Clippers of the North American Soccer League. Gavrić spent two seasons with the Clippers and won the 1967 championship with them. He was also an NFL placekicker for the San Francisco 49ers in 1969. In 1971, he moved to the Dallas Tornado, then on to the San Jose Earthquakes from 1974 to 1978. Gavric wanted to stay in America and finish his career because life was better than in Europe. In 1975 Gabbo Gavrić was the co-MVP of the NASL indoor tournament and named to the All-tournament team. He was a player and coach at San Jose until 1976, and he continued to coach through 1978.

Gavric died March 13, 2010 of complications from Parkinson's disease.

Clubs

 * NK Junak Sinj 1957–59
 * OFK Belgrade 1959–67
 * Oakland Clippers 1967–69
 * San Francisco 49ers 1969
 * Dallas Tornado 1971
 * San Jose Earthquakes 1974–78