Football Federation Australia (FFA) is today mourning the loss of former Melbourne Knights, Carlton, Wollongong Wolves, and North Geelong player David Cervinski.
The four-time National Soccer League title winner lost his battle with cancer overnight.
FFA Chief Executive Officer David Gallop AM said Cervinski would long be remembered for his distinctive style on and off the pitch.
鈥淒avid was a no-nonsense defender, someone who was respected by everyone who played with and against him and duly recognised as one of the best defenders in the NSL era,鈥 Gallop said.
鈥淎mongst his many achievements was winning the 2000 Grand Final with Wollongong against Perth Glory at Subiaco Oval in one of the great Grand Finals in history.
鈥淚n 2017 we were honoured to have David present the Mark Viduka Medal at the FFA Cup Final.
鈥淥ver the past few years he had battled Stage 4 melanoma and wanted to raise awareness to ensure other young footballers are alert to the dangers of this terrible disease.
鈥淲ith the support of Professional Footballers Australia he was the ambassador for the campaign to Kick Out Skin Cancer which now sees all of the PFA鈥檚 A-League and W-League based members undergo skin cancer checks every season.
鈥淲e pass on our condolences to David鈥檚 family and all of the clubs he represented over his career.
鈥淔FA will honour David鈥檚 memory with a tribute to his life and career at this Sunday鈥檚 Hyundai A-League Grand Final in Perth,鈥 concluded Gallop.
