Robert Stambolziev, an Australian born football player of Macedonian heritage who is currently playing for the Bristol City Academy and Reserves, is definitely a name to remember by the Macedonian football fans.

 

Robert Stambolziev is an Australian football player of Macedonian heritage. His father was born and lived in Bitola and his uncle Dime (Jimmy) Stambolziev played for Pelister football club.

Rob is 17 years old and is playing with the Bristol City Academy and has been called up to play for the Reserves where he made numerous appearances and scored. At the age of 14, he travelled to Britain on his own and had trials at a number of clubs including Reading in the English Premier League. With Bristol City he trained with the under 18s and impressed them enough to earn a two year contract. So far he managed to score 10 goals this season in 18 starts and has been playing predominately on the left side of midfield or striker. Stambolsiev has been described by his coach John Clayton as "quick, with two good feet, although he is predominately left footed and has a nose for goal”.

Recently Robert took part in Skills School on Soccer AM. During the segment he produced three football skills/tricks and was successful in being proclaimed Bristol City’s brightest academy prospect.

On 16 January 2008, Robert Stambolziev was described as "City’s very own Wizard of OZ" by the English media as he shot the club into the last 16 of the FA Youth Cup against Leeds United. In the game he scored twice including a last gasp winner to earn a home tie against Manchester City. MacedonianFootball.com contacted him and we were more than happy after he told us:

"Growing up in Melbourne, Australia I played for Preston Makedonia and I always aspired to one day play for Macedonia rather than Australia. My parents have always instilled in me a sense of pride for my Macedonian heritage and knowledge in our Macedonian hero’s such as Alexander the Great, Tsar Samuil. Goce Delchev, Darko Pancev and Goran Pandev"

So, Macedonian football coaches, what are you waiting for? Borce Hristov (U17), Zikica Tasevski (U19) or Mirsad Jonuz (U21 Macedonian national team coach), should very soon get this boy a Macedonian passport and include him on their squad lists!