Aurelio Vidmar to Attend Adelaide City’s 80th Gala

One of the Club’s most respected former players, Aurelio Vidmar will attend Adelaide City Football Club’s 80th Anniversary Gala as part of a special evening celebrating eight decades of history and achievement.

Born in Woodville, South Australia, on 3 February 1967, Vidmar went on to enjoy an illustrious football career both in Australia and abroad, becoming one of the most influential figures produced by Adelaide City Football Club.

Vidmar first donned the famous black and white strip in 1985 and quickly established himself as a standout young talent, playing a key role in Adelaide City’s 1986 championship-winning side.

Regarded as a raw teenage talent blessed with speed and exceptional ball skills, Vidmar quickly became a favourite among supporters and a constant threat to opposition teams throughout the National Soccer League era.

Across his NSL career, Vidmar played 294 matches — including 267 for Adelaide City — while scoring 52 goals. His achievements included winning the NSL Player of the Year award in 2001 and claiming the Golden Boot in the 2000/01 season.

His contribution to the game has also been recognised through induction into both the Football South Australia Hall of Champions and the Football Australia Hall of Fame.

At international level, Vidmar represented the Socceroos across three FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns and remains remembered for one of the most iconic moments in Australian football history — combining with brother Tony Vidmar to score against Argentina during the famous 1993 World Cup qualifier.

Following his time with Adelaide City, Vidmar played professionally in Belgium, Holland, Spain and Japan before returning home and later retiring following Adelaide United’s inaugural A-League season.

Following his playing career, Vidmar transitioned into coaching and has continued to play a major role in Australian football, including senior coaching positions in both the A-League and internationally.

Vidmar is currently Head Coach of Melbourne City FC, continuing his involvement at the highest level of Australian football.

Reflecting on his lifelong involvement in the game, Vidmar once said: “It’s been a love, a passion and never been a chore, something I’ve loved every day.”

His attendance at the 80th Anniversary Gala adds further significance to what is shaping as a landmark evening for Adelaide City Football Club, bringing together past legends, championship-winning players and key figures from across the Club’s proud history.

The Gala will provide supporters, members and the wider football community with a rare opportunity to reconnect with the people and moments that shaped Adelaide City across eight decades.

More legends and special guests will continue to be announced in the lead-up to the event.

Be part of our story — 80 years in the making.