Socceroo #541 - Nathan Coe
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Socceroo #89 - Norman Conquest
Matilda #17 - Theresa Deas
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The missionTo give the GrassRoots clubs of all who have represented Australian football at the highest level their true & proper place in the history of our glorious game. The players man or woman, with 1 cap or 100 have done what most can only dream about, represent their country, be it the country of their birth or adoption.
This mission is on-going with the hope that the presentation of a plaque by a player to their GrassRoots club will be as significant a moment for the club as the receiving of the 1st cap is to the player themselves. |
Marrickville FC
Gwawley Bay
Epping Eastwood FC
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The Clubs
Thousands of GrassRoots football clubs across the length and breadth of this country and overseas, give kids the opportunity to learn, love & play our game week in week out. They are run by Mums & Dads, brothers & sisters, neighbours & nobodies, but each week they give of their time, their labour and their love to ensure our kids get the chance to experience the most played game in the world. For that, we thank those still giving and those who have gone before.
Many clubs are no longer with us but this does not lessen the part they played, nor does the size of the club or its location. Some clubs nominated include the likes of Arsenal & Manchester United, while others include St.George Police Boys, Kinsgrove YMCA & Northcote High School Old Boys who have since passed into the annals of history, but who each played their part in producing Australian representatives.
Some clubs will claim a tenuous link to a player who may have briefly passed through their ranks which is why the clubs put forward here are those that have been nominated by the players themselves or in the case of those who have passed away, by family or by meticulous research. These clubs are those that the player feels contributed most to growing their knowledge, love and desire to succeed in... the beautiful game.
Many clubs are no longer with us but this does not lessen the part they played, nor does the size of the club or its location. Some clubs nominated include the likes of Arsenal & Manchester United, while others include St.George Police Boys, Kinsgrove YMCA & Northcote High School Old Boys who have since passed into the annals of history, but who each played their part in producing Australian representatives.
Some clubs will claim a tenuous link to a player who may have briefly passed through their ranks which is why the clubs put forward here are those that have been nominated by the players themselves or in the case of those who have passed away, by family or by meticulous research. These clubs are those that the player feels contributed most to growing their knowledge, love and desire to succeed in... the beautiful game.
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The players
- Since 1922 with Australia's first official international, nearly of 800 players have won the right to call themselves a Socceroo or Matilda. Many have passed away but their contribution to the history of our game is no less significant nor is that of the clubs from which they sprang.
- Our listings here will tell you their tales in facts and figures not myths and legend.
- Such was record keeping in the early days of the game in Australia some facts are a mystery and may remain such.
- The project is on-going & the list incomplete, but the thrill of the chase makes it all worthwhile.
Socceroos #355 & 419
Warren Spink & Craig Foster |
Socceroo #107 - Frank Parsons
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Socceroo #259 - John Kosmina
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Matildas #191 - Rhali Dobson (L) & #190 Gema Simon (R)
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Acknowledgements
This project owes a great debt to those players past and present so firmly committed to our game & its rich history and their willingness to share the stories of their past. It also owes an immeasurable debt to the likes of Andre Krueger, Greg Stock, Andrew Howe & everyone behind the Oz Football website & The Southern Cross, to Jamie Warren & the Johnny Warren Foundation, to Nev Arrowsmith and all those like Andy Paschalidis & Roger Sleeman who have provided the belief and encouragement to make it happen. To Ron Lord, Bill Henderson, Doug Wendt, Keith Learmonth, Cindy Heydon, Pat O'Connor, Renaye Iserief, Trixie Tagg, Alan Garside & Kevin O'Neill who are proof positive that football's past is a story worth uncovering & keeping for the benefit of all. Thank you one and all.
This project owes a great debt to those players past and present so firmly committed to our game & its rich history and their willingness to share the stories of their past. It also owes an immeasurable debt to the likes of Andre Krueger, Greg Stock, Andrew Howe & everyone behind the Oz Football website & The Southern Cross, to Jamie Warren & the Johnny Warren Foundation, to Nev Arrowsmith and all those like Andy Paschalidis & Roger Sleeman who have provided the belief and encouragement to make it happen. To Ron Lord, Bill Henderson, Doug Wendt, Keith Learmonth, Cindy Heydon, Pat O'Connor, Renaye Iserief, Trixie Tagg, Alan Garside & Kevin O'Neill who are proof positive that football's past is a story worth uncovering & keeping for the benefit of all. Thank you one and all.