Doug Ithier

Doug Ithier

File:1997-02-01 Doug Soccer Perth Glory portrait.jpg Ithier with Perth Glory in 1997
Personal information
Full name	Douglas Edward Ithier
Date of birth	(1974-07-20) 20 July 1974
Place of birth	Perth, Western Australia
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Centre Half
Youth career
1981	Yakamia SC
1982–1984	Albany Primary
1985–1992	Bunbury Tricolore
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1987–1993	Bunbury Tricolore	135	(27)
1994–1996	Floreat Athena	93	(15)
1996–1997	Perth Glory	15	(0)
1998	Sarawak FA	22	(3)
1998	Walsall	3	(1)
1999	Marine Castle United	18	(1)
2000–2002	Floreat Athena	62	(19)
2003	Western Knights	8	(3)
2003	Chengdu Wuniu	23	(0)
2003–2005	Western Knights	32	(6)
International career
1993	Australian Amateur Team
Medal record Western Knights WA State League 2005 Winner WA State League 2004 Winner WA Top 5 Cup 2004 Runner-up WA Night Series 2004 Runner-up WA Top 5 Cup 2003 Winner WA Night Series 2003 Runner-up WA BGC Lightning Cup 2003 Floreat Athena Runner-up WA State League 2002 Runner-up WA Top 5 Cup 2002 Runner-up WA Top 5 Cup 2001 Runner-up WA Boral Cup 2001 WA State League 2001 Winner WA Night Series 2000 Runner-up WA Night Series 1999 Sarawak Winner FAM Charity Shield 1998 Floreat Athena Winner WA State League 1997 Winner Divella Cup 1997 Winner WA Night Series 1997 WA State League 1994 Runner-up WA Night Series 1994 Bunbury Tricolore Winner WAASSA 1st Div League 1992 Winner WAASSA Amateur Cup 1992 Winner SWSA Carnival Cup 1992 Winner WAASSA 2nd Div Reserves 1991 Runner-up WAASSA 3rd Div Reserves 1990
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Doug Ithier (born 20 July 1974) is an Australian footballer who played for Perth Glory, Walsall, and throughout Asia including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei and China.

Career

Ithier represented the senior Western Australia team from 1996 to 2003 including playing against Red Star Belgrade 28/1/2001.

Ithier was a cult figure amongst Perth Glory supporters for his flamboyant, aggressive play and changing hairstyles. In 1998, he had a three-week trial with 1994/95 English Premier League Champions Blackburn Rovers F.C. This side, managed by Roy Hodgson, included such players as Chris Sutton, Damien Duff, Colin Hendry and Martin Dahlin. Ithier was refused the relevant work permit however. He was sent to play for the English First Division (now EFL Championship) side Walsall F.C. whilst processing his work permit, but without the European heritage to play in Europe, Ithier returned and focussed on plying his trade in Asia.

Ithier started his Asian career with 1997 Malaysian Super League champions Sarawak FA with notable players Alistair Edwards and Billy Bone and under the guidance of Alan Vest. His debut game at a sold out Sarawak Stadium was in 1998 Malaysia Charity Shield against Selangor FA in which Sarawak FA won 3-1 with 9 players. Playing in the sweeper role Ithier flourished and quickly became a crowd favorite. Alan Vest once described Ithier as the "Best Header" of the ball in all Malaysia. Ithier's form in Malaysia earned him the trial with Blackburn Rovers F.C..

After returning from the UK, Ithier signed with S-League team Marine Castle United for the 1999 season. Ithier will be remembered in Singapore for his Blonde hair and colourfully designed Adidas boots. He was selected as one of the best Foreign players and played in the S-League All Stars game. He was again a crowd favorite and constantly surrounded by fans after the game even when the team performed badly, giving autograph's. Ithier was involved in a life-threatening incident whilst playing against Tanjong Pagar United Football Club. He rose to header a ball from a corner and collided with a player being knocked unconscious. The home side Tanjong Pagar FC did not have an ambulance present, and Ithier was saved by the Marine Castles physio. Tanjong Pagar United Football Club embroiled in controversy was fined by the S-League and the decision resulted in the safety procedures at all clubs to be re-written. Ithier played the following week against doctors advice and was named Man-of-The Match!

Dubbed the "Adopted Greek" during his 9 years on and off with Floreat Athena Ithier was renowned for spectacular long range goals (including one from the halfway line in the 2001 Night Series Final), specialty freekicks, and bone crunching tackles. He won Floreat Athena Fairest and Best player in 1996, and figured heavily in Athena's team of 1997's, regarded as one of Athena's best years, winning the Premier League, Cup and Night Series trophies under coach and former Greek legend Jim Pyrgolis. Ithier is one of only five players elevated to "Legend" status as listed on the club's website.

Personal life

Ithier now has retired from playing and is the CEO/Founder of Ten Squared Trading, Managing Director/Licensee of Vital Property Group and co-owner of South Perth Cycles in Perth, Western Australia. He is separated and has one son. He is an avid cyclist racing A-Grade in the West Coast Masters (WCMCC) and a golfer playing on single figure handicap.