Macarthur FC Bulls: How heart scare changed former Socceroo Ivan Franjic

It was a shocking diagnosis that could have ended his career. Instead it just made this Macarthur FC gun more determined to succeed in a sport he “has loved forever”.

Ivan Franjic warming up prior to the A-League match between Macarthur FC and the Central Coast Mariners at Campbelltown Stadium.

Ivan Franjic had no idea what was going on when he woke one night with chest pain.

The 20-game Socceroo had just started the 2016 pre-season and was training hard.

“After day one I just felt ill and a bit shaken,” said the A-League veteran.

That night he woke with a sore chest but still went to training and was sent home.

“That night I wasn’t getting better and had more chest pains so went to hospital,” said the Macarthur FC gun.

Ivan Franjic and Daniel Georgievski battle in the first derby of the season.

“All of a sudden they rushed in saying I had something wrong with my heart. I was in hospital for seven days.”

Diagnosed with myocarditis, it is believed his heart inflammation was caused by a virus.

“I had to see a heart specialist and they told me no cardio for three months,” Franjic said.

“Eventually I got cleared and I’ve never had an issue since.”

While now physically unaffected by the heart scare, Franjic said the close call had changed the way he looks at life and football.

“It made me appreciate the game more,” he said. “Training with the boys, the crowds.

“I enjoy it all and I don’t take anything for granted.”

And that includes the challenge of helping Macarthur FC make their mark in their first season of A-League.

Franjic, who grew up in Melbourne but has moved around the country and overseas as part of his job as a professional footballer, made his professional debut at 22 with Brisbane Roar.

Macarthur is his fourth club in the A-League after playing at Roar, Melbourne City and Perth in the past.

Ivan Franjic in action against Macarthur FC.

Now based at Gregory Hills with his girlfriend, he said he is enjoying working with the new club and beside new teammates.

Franjic knew coach Ante Milicic from the 2014 World Cup in 2015 Asian cup and said the coaches vision for Macarthur was part of the reason he opt opted to join the new club.

“I want to keep winning trophies and helping the young kids become better players,’’ Franjic said of his goals for the future.

When asked about Macarthur FC’s chances of making the play-offs in season one, he was upbeat.

“I think it’s a very realistic goal,” he said.

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