Chris Marustik

Christopher Marustik (10 August 1961 – 12 August 2015) was a Welsh professional footballer and Wales international.

Chris Marustik
Personal information
Full name Christopher Marustik[1]
Date of birth (1961-08-10)10 August 1961[1]
Place of birth Swansea.[1] Wales
Date of death 12 August 2015(2015-08-12) (aged 54)
Place of death Morriston,[1] Swansea, Wales
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1978–1985 Swansea City 152 (11)
1985–1987 Cardiff City 43 (1)
1987–1988 Barry Town
1988–1989 Newport County
National team
1982 Wales 6 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Club career

The son of a Czech immigrant, Marustik began his career at his hometown side Swansea City, making his way through the club's youth system. He made his professional debut for the club in August 1978 at the age of 17 in a 2–2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur in the second round of the League Cup.[3]

He was forced to wait seven months before he made his league debut against Peterborough United. Marustik went on to become a regular in the Swansea lineup before leaving the club in October 1985 in a swap deal with Swansea's local rivals Cardiff City which saw Roger Gibbins move in the opposite direction. He made his debut against Gillingham before scoring his first, and what would later turn out to be his only, goal for the club on his home debut in a 3–2 win over Wigan Athletic. His time at Ninian Park was hampered by injuries and, after two years at the club,[4] he left to play non-league football for Barry Town and Newport County before moving to Australia.[5]

International career

Marustik made his debut for Wales on 24 March 1982 in a 1–1 draw with Spain and went on to play in the next five matches for Wales, making his final appearance on 22 September of the same year in a 1–0 win over Norway.[6]

Personal life and death

In December 2008, Marustik was arrested for drunk driving after testing nearly four times over the legal limit. During the court hearing he admitted to suffering from alcohol addiction. He was later banned from driving for three years. He has three daughters: Danielle, Isobelle and Natasha.[7]

Marustik died on 12 August 2015, aged 54, following a short illness [8][9]

References
  1. "Chris Marustik". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 16 April 2020.
  2. Dunk, Peter, ed. (1987). Rothmans Football Yearbook 1987–88. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 110. ISBN 978-0-356-14354-5.
  3. "Ex-swan battles drink problem thisissouthwales.co.uk". 15 December 2008. Retrieved 4 March 2009.
  4. Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Derby: Breedon Books. p. 130. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
  5. "Past players". swanseacity.com. Retrieved 21 December 2009.
  6. "Wales - International results 1980-1989". rsssf.com. Retrieved 4 April 2009.
  7. "Ex-swans road ban follows confession". thisissouthwales.co.uk. 23 December 2008. Retrieved 4 April 2009.
  8. "Swans mourn loss of Chris Marustik". Swansea CityFootball Club. 13 August 2015.
  9. "BBC Sport - Chris Marustik: Former Wales and Swansea defender dies". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2015.
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