As a little tacker the only name of note I heard bandied about on the sidelines of the Ku-ring-gai association in Sydney's north, was Murray Barnes. Murray was the poster boy of the KDSA, he'd made it into the star studded line-up at Hakoah. Today, thanks to his son, I have official confirmation that Socceroo #238, Murray Barnes, only ever played his GrassRoots football at Kissing Point, my first club. Murray was 5 years older than me & probably still at Kissing Point when I started there in 1965. He'd play reps for Ku-ring-gai, then was signed by the Eastern suburbs giants whom he would eventually captain. He made his "A" debut for Australia in 1976, gained 49 caps and was elevated to the captaincy in 1978.
I met Murray once through our common friend Richie Bell & will be forever grateful for that opportunity.
Murray brought the beard & a long striding flair to our game in the late '70s & early 80's and for that hipsters everywhere should be forever grateful. He was a man ahead of his time, a sad loss to our game and an honoured addition to the list.
I met Murray once through our common friend Richie Bell & will be forever grateful for that opportunity.
Murray brought the beard & a long striding flair to our game in the late '70s & early 80's and for that hipsters everywhere should be forever grateful. He was a man ahead of his time, a sad loss to our game and an honoured addition to the list.
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