Remembering Matija Šarkić

Matija…

From the days at Chelham after Oliver came home with a pair of boots and got you interested in football, to the time you first went in goal after your friend didn’t turn up to play, and that magnificent performance in Brussels only two weeks ago.

What a journey you had mate!

All those years spent together with Oliver at Anderlecht and then pranking the referee before playing against Kylian Mbappe.

Signing for Villa and that photo with Tim Sherwood to announce your arrival and all the comments of ‘He looks about 12’ when you were unveiled. You made the family proud that day. Followed by topless celebrations with Viktor Johansson where you definitely wanted to show off the abs after winning the Premier League Cup that Friday night in Swansea.

You never did lose a penalty shoot-out in your whole career, did you!

Those trips to Elland Road. When Steve Bruce put you on the bench for the first time and then when you would have made it onto the pitch two seasons later had Dean Smith not used all his subs in that infamous 1-1 draw. 

Warming up that afternoon at Wembley before the Play-Off Final as well - a pitch you’d have probably dreamed about stepping on one day when you were that little boy sat in the stands watching Montenegro play England there years earlier.

And then there were your loans.

Your first couldn’t have been more awkward because I don’t think there’s anyone else who has ever signed for Wigan from a hotel room in Kazakhstan at 4.00am! But how much pride did you feel when you made your professional debut against Middlesbrough in the EFL Trophy?

Stratford, too, and those magnificent seven matches which aided your development so much. And that one for Havant & Waterlooville in the National League on that Tuesday night at Maidenhead.

Of course, there was Livingston.

A penalty shoot-out win on your debut. Zero surprises there! But what a buzz and how proud you must have felt with yourself when you beat Celtic on Sky Sports and really propelled your name into the spotlight. Or just a few weeks later when you had Stevie G heaping praise on you after you played Rangers. In the big games, you stood up and showed your character for sure!

At Wolves you achieved so much more!

From the socially-distanced photos on the day you signed to playing against Mo Salah and hearing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ at Anfield a few seasons later, you integrated yourself in your unique way to become one of their pack.

You had your injuries, frustratingly at times, but again you shone on loan and it’s no coincidence that people everywhere you played raved about how good you were.

That spell at Shrewsbury where you stopped Doncaster going top for Christmas with your brilliant save. It always raises a smile!

The stint at Birmingham where you scooped the Supporters’ Player Of The Year award despite only playing half a season. Something which only you could achieve!

And then at Stoke where you won admirers yet again. No wonder they were interested in signing you!

At Millwall you roared like a lion.

It wasn’t always straightforward but you made it your home. Those four successive clean-sheets to boost your stats. The time when the Southampton manager wouldn’t shake your hand. And that penalty save at Swansea on the final day of the season.

All memories which you’ll smile about. 

All memories on part of your journey.

125 appearances you made in your club career. 

47 clean-sheets. 

There’s no wonder why I nicknamed you Clean-Sheet Šarkić. As Borat would say… Very Nice!

Your parents will be so proud of the special moments and brilliant memories you gave them.

They got to see their little boy with that mischievous grin and glowing confidence become a fine young man who represented both the Šarkić family name and your nation with such dignity and class.

Your brothers will cherish the fun times; the banter, the squabbles, the practical jokes, the sibling rivalries and everything else. Your girlfriend will love you eternally for how you enriched her life with your presence.

Your warm, effervescent personality.

Your infectious smile.

You were just being you.

A fantastic person.

A fantastic goalkeeper.

You achieved so much in life.

You were a credit to everyone.

You will always be brilliant.

These words will never, ever feel right and you’ll be missed so much but you won’t ever be forgotten. No chance!

It was an absolute pleasure to follow your career. The highs, the lows, the stories… and everything else in between! 

You were class!

You’ll be loved forever! ❤️

Smile cheekily, keep that twinkle in your eye, and fly high mate! 🕊️