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Conrad "Con" Purser

7/25/2017

11 Comments

 
Another of our 1956 Olympians is the latest to nominate his GrassRoots club. It's a man with a unique standing in the game and a man whose place in our football history is assured.
Socceroo #142 is Conrad (Con) Purser, the first native born Western Australian to be selected in an Australian team. 
Born in Collie in the southern WA coalfields, Con moved off the farm to Inglewood in Perth at the age of 6 but didn't start playing until 13 when he had a couple of years at with Inglewood in the mid-1940's. He then moved to Nth Perth who played at his local ground, Woodville Reserve. At 16 he was playing 1st grade & its Nth Perth that Con has named as his GrassRoots club.
He made his debut in Australian colours against the touring Sth. Africans in 1955 thus assuring him of his place in history & was part of our 1956 Olympic Games squad.
It was indeed an honour to spend time talking with him and hearing stories of the battles Nth. Perth had with the likes of Swan Athletic & Swan Valley back in the day, and it is indeed an honour to add Con Purser to the GFP family.
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11 Comments
Blayne Treadgold link
7/27/2017 10:39:41 pm

Great story Greg!

Reply
Keith Miller
10/29/2017 10:30:42 pm

My daughter alerted me to your site as she was researching her Uncle. My congratulations to you recording one of the finest footballers I had the honour of playing with during the North Perth Soccer Club days. We still meet and although his sight is not too good he is still very active. I have some more photos of Con if you are interested.

Reply
Karen
1/28/2024 06:14:27 pm

I am researching my mothers family tree and I am sure Con Purser was her cousin. I am keen to hear from anyone that could help me in following up on the Purser side of family. I know of the names of his parents and siblings and would like to fill in some gaps.
Hope to hear soon. Thank you. Karen

Reply
Joanne Miller link
2/8/2024 09:37:02 am

Hi Karen. If you could tell me a little bit more about where you fit in the family, I'll contact the cousins to see if they want to get in touch with you.

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Karen
2/8/2024 07:36:30 pm

Hi Joanne,
Thankyou for responding, I really appreciate it. My mother Carmen (nee Hopkins) was Conrad's cousin. His Mother was Amberite Hopkins sister to mums father Ralph. Both mum and Con were born in Collie. Conrad had a bother Alan, Ross, Geoff & a sister Elaine & their father was James Hartill Purser - birthday same as mine 14th December. Mum passed away 18mths ago & I am trying to piece together mums side of family with what little information I have. My dad Allan is 94years, keen to help me, he also worked with Conrad and new his wife Norma. Hope you can help in any small way with any information. Thanks again for your time. Karen

Rob Purser
5/6/2024 09:37:38 pm

Hi Karen,
Sorry we haven't got back to you.
I'm Rob Purser the youngest to Con and Norma. I think Aunty Elaine researched Amberite Hopkins a long time ago but it stopped at the eastern states. Maybe before Google.
I will ask Dad but he has good days and bad but still going strong at 92. Their all getting on and we don't have much written down.
Good luck with your search and I'll get back to you if I have a lead.

Reply
Brett Klucznik link
12/21/2024 12:14:13 am

Hi Rob,
I'm wanting to interview Con about his football career and achievements for waoveryonder.au - any chance you can contact me via [email protected] ?
- Brett

Reply
Rob Purser
12/21/2024 11:20:51 am

Hi Brett,thanks for your interest but Con has Ahlsimers and may not be able to answer your questions.
But he is still healthy at 93.
Many Thanks Rob

Brett Klucznik
1/12/2025 04:56:56 pm

Sorry to hear about Con's health, Rob. I'm on the committee of the Football Hall of Fame WA, into which Con has been indicted as a Champion of our game. Our committee would like to remain in contact with Con's family - is that something you would be open to?

Reply
Rob
1/12/2025 05:21:45 pm

No problem Brett

Karen
5/20/2024 11:33:17 am

Hi Rob,
Thank you so much for getting back to me, I really do appreciate it. Good to hear dad is still well, yes time flies quickly. I have found a little bit of information on Amber's brothers and would appreciate any information you have & happy to share what I have found if you are interested. I am happy to give you my home email address if you would like. Thanks again for contacting me.
Have a good day
Karen

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    the author

    Greg Werner began playing in 1965, with the GrassRoots club of Socceroo skipper Murray Barnes, a change of suburb at age 6 and a new club, one that would become the GrassRoots club of Rob Wheatley & after a 27 year hiatus came back to playing with the GrassRoots club of Socceroos Steve Perry, Richie Bell, Chris Iconomidis & Matilda, Justine Fisher, one could say that the links with the NT are ingrained.
    At age 55, when his body gave up on playing, he took up the whistle to stay actively involved. In November of 2014 he created the GFP on Facebook to fill the void left by those in control of the game & in January 2016 launched this website.
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