Johnny Warren, Australia's great soccer ambassador, died today.
Warren was captain of the only Australian team to qualify for the World Cup finals, in 1974. He thought that Soccer would eventually roll over the top of the other football codes to become the premier winter sport in Australia. It hasn't happened. The sport's been racked by scandals, internal divisions and lack of international success.
This year Warren was awarded with FIFA's Centenary Medal of Honour.
On receiving the award, an emotional Warren spoke of his dreams for the code in Australia."I want Australia to embrace this fabulous game," Warren said.
"It's not `wog-ball'. This is the game of the world."
Despite his comments, soccer in Australia has traditionally been the sport of European immigrants rather than the Anglo majority. It has a huge amature following, but the professional competition hasn't been very successful.
Warren was keen to promote soccer at every opportunity. Unfortunately, he couldn't do much about Australian soccer's biggest problems; the movement of talented players chasing big money overseas, and FIFA's woeful handling of the Oceania World Cup division.
Although I don't follow the game much at all, I respected Warren's enthusiasm for the code. Soccer is going to need lots of Johnny Warrens if it hopes to succeed in Australia.
Hmmm, well it seems 'Football' as Johnny so rightfully called it has had an amazing success wouldn't you say? 50,000 people at a regular season match in Melbourne proves it is reaching the potential which has only ever been stagnated by non followers such as yourself who have the same stereotyped opinion! I do however applaud your recognition that our (inclusive of yourself) Johnny was a remarkable man and it is his enthusiasm living on among us that has contributed to yet another successful sea of change in the attitude of anglo Australians and football itself in Australia. I believe that it has only ever been a lack of World Cup regularity which has hindered it's prosperation. Football is a TRUE world game where the competition isn't just down to a select few nations calling their equivalent tournament a World Cup. I realise that there are many sports which Australia do well at in other truly world sports, but I am speaking only of the other competing "football" codes here.
Long live the memory of the first Australian Sportsman to be honoured a state funeral, long live the ideal that the other codes can appreciate football the way we appreciate their football.
When will we win a World Cup?
I'm not sure, but Johnny told us so.
From an anglo Australian enjoying the beginning of the future in Australian sporting focus.
50,000 sounds good, but keep in mind it's summer and no other footy codes are playing, and we're between cricket tests.
I still think the local game will struggle because of a lack of talent, but interest will be strong every few years as the World Cups rolls by.