Leo Bertos
{{Short description|New Zealand footballer (born 1981)}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Leo Bertos
| image = Leo Bertos.jpg
| upright = 0.9
| caption = Bertos playing for Wellington Phoenix in 2008
| full_name = Leonida Christos Bertos{{Hugman|1495|accessdate=2 May 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|12|20|df=y}}
| birth_place = Wellington, New Zealand
| height = 1.77 m
| position = Winger
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 1997–2000 | clubs1 = Wellington Olympic | caps1 = 53 | goals1 =
| years2 = 2000–2003 | clubs2 = Barnsley | caps2 = 12 | goals2 = 1
| years3 = 2003–2005 | clubs3 = Rochdale | caps3 = 82 | goals3 = 13
| years4 = 2005 | clubs4 = Chester City | caps4 = 5 | goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2005 | clubs5 = Barrow | caps5 = | goals5 =
| years6 = 2005–2006 | clubs6 = York City | caps6 = 5 | goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2006 | clubs7 = Scarborough | caps7 = 1 | goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2006 | clubs8 = Worksop Town | caps8 = | goals8 =
| years9 = 2006–2008 | clubs9 = Perth Glory | caps9 = 35 | goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2008–2014 | clubs10 = Wellington Phoenix | caps10 = 127 | goals10 = 9
| years11 = 2014–2015 | clubs11 = East Bengal | caps11 = 11 | goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2014 | clubs12 = → NorthEast United (loan) | caps12 = 4 | goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2015–2018 | clubs13 = Hamilton Olympic | caps13 = 40 | goals13 = 9
| nationalyears1 = 2003–2004 | nationalcaps1 = 5 | nationalgoals1 = 1 | nationalteam1 = New Zealand U23
| nationalyears2 = 2003–2013 | nationalcaps2 = 56 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalteam2 = New Zealand
| nationalyears3 = 2014– | nationalcaps3 = 2 | nationalgoals3 = 1| nationalteam3 = New Zealand Futsal
| manageryears1 = 2020– | managerclubs1 = Weston Bears
}}
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
Bertos was born in Wellington, to a Greek father and a New Zealand Māori mother.{{Cite web |last=Woodcock |first=Fred |date=31 August 2009 |title=Greece is the word for Bertos |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/2750768/Greece-is-the-word-for-Bertos |access-date=21 April 2022 |publisher=Stuff |language=en}} He attended Holy Cross primary school (1987–1994) and Wellington College (1995–1999) where he played for the school's first XI.{{cite web|last1=Clements|first1=Connor|title=Former Wellington stalwart Leo Bertos exclusively reflects on his storied career|url=http://outside90.com/leo-bertos-interview-exclusive-career-summary-and-next-australian-chapter-407/|website=Outside 90|access-date=18 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420065450/http://outside90.com/leo-bertos-interview-exclusive-career-summary-and-next-australian-chapter-407/|archive-date=20 April 2016}}
Bertos played for Wellington Olympic in the New Zealand domestic league between 1997 and 2000.
Club career
=Barnsley=
Bertos started his career in England, playing in Barnsley's youth system.{{Cite news
| title = Late shocker for academy
| url = http://www.barnsleyfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~69120,00.html
| publisher = Barnsley F.C
| date = 23 October 2000
| access-date = 13 December 2008}} He made his debut for the Barnsley reserve team against Rotherham United in October 2000{{Cite news
| title = Reserves face Millers
| url = http://www.barnsleyfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~69134,00.html
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20110807135145/http://www.barnsleyfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~69134,00.html
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 7 August 2011
| publisher = Barnsley F.C
| date = 31 October 2000
| access-date = 21 July 2008
}} 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.{{cite news
| title = Barnsley 0–4 Preston
| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1278186.stm
| publisher = BBC Sport
| date = 16 April 2001
| access-date = 21 July 2008}}{{Cite news
| title = Youngsters sign contracts
| url = http://www.barnsleyfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~71088,00.html
| publisher = Barnsley F.C
| date = 17 April 2001
| access-date = 21 July 2008
}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He picked up a knee injury whilst playing in Tenerife,{{Cite news
| title = Bertos waiting for scan results
| url = http://www.barnsleyfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~80608,00.html
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20100618124142/http://www.barnsleyfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~80608,00.html
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 18 June 2010
| publisher = Barnsley F.C
| date = 6 August 2001
| access-date = 21 July 2008
}} the results of which required a second opinion.{{Cite news
| title = Bertos must have second opinion
| url = http://www.barnsleyfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~80751,00.html
| publisher = Barnsley F.C.
| date = 6 August 2001
| access-date = 21 July 2008
}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} These results were delayed,{{Cite news
| title = Bertos faces longer wait
| url = http://www.barnsleyfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~80986,00.html
| publisher = Barnsley F.C
| date = 7 August 2001
| access-date = 21 July 2008
}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} but, when received, it was confirmed that no meniscus was present to his tendon.{{Cite news
| title = Bertos receives good news
| url = http://www.barnsleyfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10309~81563,00.html
| publisher = Barnsley F.C
| date = 8 August 2001
| access-date = 21 July 2008
}}{{Dead link|date=February 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He scored once for Barnsley; in a 4–1 defeat to Bristol City.{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/2301777.stm
|title=Barnsley 1–4 Bristol City
|publisher=BBC Sport
|date=12 October 2002 |access-date=30 August 2012}}
=Rochdale=
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=
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=
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=
File:Bertos1.jpg in 2009]]
On 24 January 2008, Bertos was signed on a free transfer by his hometown club Wellington Phoenix on a two-year contract.{{cite news |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4370242a6033.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130223000037/http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4370242a6033.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 February 2013 |title=Phoenix snare Bertos |date=23 January 2008 |work=The Dominion Post|location=Wellington |access-date=14 October 2011 }} 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=
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.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiafooty.com/2014/07/20/east-bengal-signed-leo-bertos-as-marquee-foreigner/|title=EAST BENGAL SIGNED LEO BERTOS AS MARQUEE FOREIGNER|website=indiafooty.com|date=3 February 2021|access-date=3 February 2021|archive-date=8 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208221931/https://www.indiafooty.com/2014/07/20/east-bengal-signed-leo-bertos-as-marquee-foreigner/|url-status=dead}} He was issued the number 11 jersey.{{cite web|title=Registration complete|url=https://www.facebook.com/489491794513634/photos/a.512258595570287.1073741828.489491794513634/555500884579391/?type=1&theater |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/489491794513634/555500884579391 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|publisher=Leo Bertos via Facebook|access-date=24 August 2014}}{{cbignore}} He made his debut in a CFL match against Techno Aryan on 23 August 2014, coming as a substitute for Mehtab Hussain.{{cite web|title=Kingfisher East Bengal edge past Aryan|url=http://eastbengalfootballclub.com/news.php?category=1&permalink=kingfisher-east-bengal-edge-past-aryan-|publisher=East Bengal|access-date=24 August 2014|archive-date=14 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160114071104/http://eastbengalfootballclub.com/news.php?category=1&permalink=kingfisher-east-bengal-edge-past-aryan-|url-status=usurped}}
=NorthEast United=
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.{{cite web|title=Leo Bertos signs for NorthEast United FC|url=http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/222/transfer-zone/2014/10/06/5160139/leo-bertos-signs-for-northeast-united-fc/b%3E-manchester-citys-crumbling|publisher=Goal|access-date=8 December 2014}}
=Hamilton Olympic=
Bertos signed for Australian National Premier Leagues side Hamilton Olympic for the 2016 season after training for several weeks with Newcastle Jets.{{cite news|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/3360320/hamilton-olympic-land-leo-bertos/|title=Hamilton Olympic land Leo Bertos|work=The Newcastle Herald|author=Craig Kerry|date=19 September 2015|access-date=6 March 2016|archive-date=8 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308100030/http://www.theherald.com.au/story/3360320/hamilton-olympic-land-leo-bertos/|url-status=live}}
International career
Bertos made his international debut against Iran on 13 October 2003{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatenzsoccer.com/NZRepSoccer/id1565.htm |title=A-International Lineups |publisher=The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website |access-date=4 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013140447/http://www.ultimatenzsoccer.com/NZRepSoccer/id1565.htm |archive-date=13 October 2008 }} and has represented New Zealand over 50 times since.{{cite web|url=http://www.ultimatenzsoccer.com/NZRepSoccer/id1708.htm |title=A-International Appearances – Overall |publisher=The Ultimate New Zealand Soccer Website |access-date=3 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007054503/http://www.ultimatenzsoccer.com/NZRepSoccer/id1708.htm |archive-date= 7 October 2008 }} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/teams/team=43978/squadlist.html |title=2009 Confederations Cup – New Zealand squad |publisher=FIFA |access-date=9 June 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613002745/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/teams/team%3D43978/squadlist.html |archive-date=13 June 2009 }} 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=
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.{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/world-cup/3676399/All-Whites-World-Cup-squad-named|title=All Whites World Cup squad named|publisher=Stuff|access-date=10 May 2010}}
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=
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[https://web.archive.org/web/20110724193329/http://nzfootball.co.nz/index.php?id=11&tx_ttnews New Zealand Football]
Management career
Bertos was named the coach of Weston Bears in January 2020 after former manager Kew Jaliens flagged an intention to return to Europe.{{cite news|url=http://www.westonfc.com.au/index.php/80-news/latest-news/1522-welcome-leo-bertos|title=Welcome Leo Bertos|website=Weston Bears FC|access-date=4 January 2020}}
Career statistics
=Club=
{{updated|match played 30 May 2015}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Barnsley
|2000–01{{Soccerbase season|24289|2000|name=Leo Bertos|access-date=2 December 2015}} |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2001–02{{Soccerbase season|24289|2001|name=Leo Bertos|access-date=2 December 2015}}
|First Division |4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2002–03{{Soccerbase season|24289|2002|name=Leo Bertos|access-date=2 December 2015}}
|6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 13 | 1 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Rochdale
|2003–04{{Soccerbase season|24289|2003|name=Leo Bertos|access-date=2 December 2015}} |40 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1Appearance in Football League Trophy | 0 | 43 | 10 | |
| 2004–05{{Soccerbase season|24289|2004|name=Leo Bertos|access-date=2 December 2015}}
|42 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 46 | 4 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!82 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 89 | 14 | |
| Chester City
|2005–06{{Soccerbase season|24289|2005|name=Leo Bertos|access-date=2 December 2015}} |League Two |5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
| York City
|2005–06{{cite book |first=David |last=Batters |title=York City: The Complete Record |year=2008 |publisher=Breedon Books |location=Derby |isbn=978-1-85983-633-0 |pages=406–407, 420–421}} |5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1Appearance in FA Trophy | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||
| Scarborough
|Conference National |1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Perth Glory
|2006–07{{cite web |title=Leo Bertos |url=http://aleaguestats.com/ALeagueStats_25Players_74.html |publisher=ALeagueStats |access-date=2 December 2015}} |21 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 21 | 0 | ||||
| 2007–08
|A-League |14 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 1 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!35 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 35 | 1 | ||||
| rowspan="7"|Wellington Phoenix
|2008–09{{cite web |title=L. Bertos |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/leo-bertos/17578/ |work=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=22 April 2016}} |A-League |16 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 16 | 2 | ||||
| 2009–10
|A-League |30 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 30 | 2 | ||||
| 2010–11
|rowspan="1"|A-League |22 | 4 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 4 | ||||
| 2011–12
|A-League |28 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 28 | 1 | ||||
| 2012–13
|A-League |24 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 24 | 0 | ||||
| 2013–14
|A-League |7 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 7 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!127 | 9 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 127 | 9 | ||||
| East Bengal
|11 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2Appearances in AFC Cup | 0 | 13 | 0 | |||
| NorthEast United (loan)
|2014 |4 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!282 | 24 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 295 | 25 |
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
=International=
{{updated|match played 13 November 2013}}{{NFT player|7631|name=Bertos, Leo|accessdate=1 December 2015}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="10"|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 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 56 | 0 |
Honours
Individual
- Wellington Phoenix Player of the Year: 2008–09{{cite web|url=http://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/default.aspx?s%3Daleague_newsdisplay%26id%3D26606 |title=News Display |access-date=17 August 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110301024959/http://www.wellingtonphoenix.com/default.aspx?s=aleague_newsdisplay&id=26606 |archive-date=1 March 2011 }}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{FIFA player|199704}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Wellington Phoenix FC Player of the Year}}
{{Navboxes
|title = New Zealand squads
|bg = white
|fg = black
|list1 =
{{New Zealand squad 2004 OFC Nations Cup}}
{{New Zealand squad 2008 OFC Nations Cup}}
{{New Zealand squad 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{New Zealand squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{New Zealand squad 2012 OFC Nations Cup}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bertos, Leo}}
Category:Barnsley F.C. players
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