Jure Jerković's farewell match at Stari plac in 1978 remains etched in golden letters in the history of the Split club.
On this day, August 1, 1978, Hajduk Split played one of those matches that are retold for generations. At Stari plac, in the farewell match for the legendary Jure Jerković, the 'Whites' literally dismantled England's Aston Villa 4:0. It was a magnificent send-off for a player heading to Zürich, but also a powerful harbinger of a dream season.
What makes this victory even more special is the fact that Aston Villa, a team from the Birmingham district of Aston, became English champions a few years later, and then European champions. That evening, however, on the packed Stari plac, they stood no chance.
The team was led from the bench by the celebrated coach Tomislav Ivić, who was returning to the club after a stint with Ajax in the Netherlands. His influence was evident immediately, despite significant squad depletion. Besides Jerković, the club also lost Drago Rukljač, who returned to Zagreb, Vilson Džoni, who moved to Dinamo Zagreb, and Ivan Katalinić and Mario Boljat, who left to serve their mandatory military service in the Yugoslav People's Army.
Yet, none of that was felt on the pitch. Hajduk dominated, and Aston Villa's net bulged repeatedly: Slaviša Žungul scored twice, with Ivica Šurjak and Davor Čop adding one each. The fans reveled in the spectacle, and from the east stand, a banner proudly waved with the message: 'Jure, thank you for everything, and Ivić, thanks for being with us again!'
Despite being weakened by departures, Hajduk showed that evening the character that defined them all season. It was this generation, led by Ivić, that at the end of the 78/79 season brought the title back to Poljud, securing the last championship in the then Yugoslav league. Jerković's farewell thus became a kind of crowning moment of an era and a prelude to the final great success in that competition.
Jure, thank you for everything, and Ivić, thanks for being with us again!
Jerković was carried off the pitch on the shoulders of his teammates, with tears in the eyes of the fans. It was an emotional night that remained etched in the memory of all who experienced it, even decades later. As was often said of Hajduk fans, they were and remain 'champions of the world in friendly matches,' and this one against Aston Villa was one of those that best confirms it.
