Lets get the Soccer out of the Socceroos
Roar Guru By James, 18 Mar 2008 The Crowd is a Roar Guru
162 Have your say
It really disheartens me every time I hear people call football, soccer — even more so when it’s in the media.
The FFA have tried to rectify this by being called the Football Federation Australia and having the domestic competition being called A-League Football.
But our most popular and most marketable team, the SOCCERoos, still has the foul stench of Soccer Australia all over it.
I think in order for us to make serious strides we really need to change the name of the Socceroos to something else. What to, I’m not sure, but it definitely shouldn’t have ‘soccer’ in it.
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March 18th 2008 @ 12:27pm
Dave said | March 18th 2008 @ 12:27pm | Report comment
Towser
I know the argument but lets take small steps before we try to run. Football is what l call it and as far as l am concerned thats what it shall remain. However living in Melbourne the term football largely refers to AFL. This is because for so long there was no other game to challenge or even in the AFL subconscious. The term Soccer referred to the wog game and there was never a mixing up of the two. It is only in recent years that positive change has come about with the total revamp of football in Australia. Therefore it will take generations for any real change in the mindset of most folk down here who see the changing of the name Soccer to Football in Oz as just another step in foreigners trying to take over and put down the game of footy. It won’t happen in a hurry and l don’t see it as a matter of great importance in the early stages of the football revolution in this country. Firstly let them see what a great game it is, the passion it can generate and the inclusion of all cultures which love the game. The FFA etc have done the right thing at the top level by changing the name but it will take time to filter down. Some see this contradiction with the brandname Socceroos but l say it doesn’t matter for now. Socceroos is a successful brand, known around the world. It is beginning to be symbolic of never say die and trying to win against all odds attitudes ie 2006 WC. Changing of the name Soccer to Football is a battle that will be won over time and not in the first steps of this marathon to have football become a respected and accepted part of the Australian sporting landscape.
March 18th 2008 @ 12:57pm
Towser said | March 18th 2008 @ 12:57pm | Report comment
Dave
No problem with the small steps before you can run philosophy,however I disagree that changing the name from the Socceroos will alter the perception of our National team as a “Never say Die against all odds” and in reality is only a very tiny step.
After all its whats on display on the park that sticks in football fans minds around the world not the name ,but in relation to the confusion that exists in this country a small change from Socceroos to Australia National football team is consistent with the other name changes such as the FFA and FFV etc.
Why delay? If you do when is the right time? I dont see the name change from Socceroos having any more or less impact on the sensitivities of AFL people than the origonal name change to football did.
You are in fact giving a very good case for changing the name yourself in that in AFL territory(and also I might add NRL &RU territory) it referred to the wog game.
Surely to many fans of these sports the Term ‘Socceroos” still relates the game to the ethnic element that dominated local football for many decades, as I cant see them being that discerning as to distinguish between the two.
March 18th 2008 @ 1:38pm
Mick of Newie said | March 18th 2008 @ 1:38pm | Report comment
I am actually over this one. I was intersted recently to read a great article by Les Murray about a british magazine that has been reporting on the world game from all corners for 40 years and its name World Soccer.
Soccer is not American , it is used in America.
If people want to call it soccer let them call it soccer.
I call it Soccer because it saves about 30 seconds of clarification when I talk to someone about going to the football. Its simple, inoffensive and 98% of the Australian population no exactly what you are talking about.
I actually think FFA have gone too far. If a club wants to call itself a soccer club it can’t it has to call itself a football club. Which is crazy.
March 18th 2008 @ 2:06pm
Dave said | March 18th 2008 @ 2:06pm | Report comment
Towser
My main point is that this will take time. So if the FFA decree overnight no one is allowed to call the national team Socceroos that will make all the difference? You had better have a nickname in place before this is done otherwise it wont work. As l see it there is no cut off point; Socceroos one day Footyroos the next. There are more important issues regarding the way forward rather than further division now by trying to run further away from the past. A nickname is just that. No more or less. I don’t feel embarrased to hear Socceroos and l just don’t think Australian National Football Team will catch on. It is the Australian way to have terms/names of endearment. One way to remove stigma from the past (if that is what is wanted) is to provide an all inclusive, passionate, skillful and competitive national team which will do us proud on the world stage, not by changing the team nickname.
BTW Great to share your passion
March 18th 2008 @ 2:11pm
Koala Bear said | March 18th 2008 @ 2:11pm | Report comment
James wrote:: It really disheartens me every time I hear people call football, soccer — even more so when it’s in the media.
James,
It’s Football, Football, Football…!!!
And its also “the Australian National Football Team” also known as the Footballroos… Why?? ‘cos Johnny told us so..!!!!! The times they are a Changin’ The Footballroos for the FIFA Football 2018 World Cup in Sth Africa…
~~~~~~
KB
March 18th 2008 @ 2:28pm
Koala Bear said | March 18th 2008 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
James,
Sorry about this I have to correct my last sentence… (typo) The times they are a Changin’ ; The Footballroos for the FIFA Football 2010 World Cup in South Africa and the Footballroos in 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and in the FIFA Football World Cup in Australia in 2018…. Now that wasn’t so hard to say after all…
~~~~~~
KB
March 18th 2008 @ 2:38pm
Towser said | March 18th 2008 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
Mick
Why is it crazy?
Surely its the same reason that I put forward for the “Socceroos” consistency across the board.
If a club is run by the Football Federation of Australia,then Football Northern NSW then surely long term every club underneath should be a football club. Otherwise why bother in the first place?
Just leave everything as Soccer no problem.
They didn’t however, so to effect a change it cant be a half baked cake to taste good in the end.
This is not the same as the general public calling it football as opposed to soccer and never will be unless it is consistency across the board as I stated in my comment above.
This how say a TV sports report would have been prior to football and under Soccer:
.Introduction Soccer
“Soccer Australia stated today that the Socceroos would play China and that a player from the Olympic Soccer club Fred Swivelfoot a former Balgownie Soccer club junior was a suprise selection in the squad.”
As it stands at the moment:
Introduction Soccer
“Football Federation Australia said today that the Socceroos would play China and that a player from the Olympic Football club Fred Swivelfoot a former Balgownie Soccer club junior was a suprise selection.”
The future:
Introduction Football
“Football federation Australia said today that Australia would play China and that a player from the Olympic Football club Fred Swivelfoot a former Balgownie Football club junior was a suprise selection.”
Football NSW also applauded the player on his selection
Whilst were a long way off the latter we’ll never get there if the changes aren’t across the board and we keep tip toeing around these changes.
March 18th 2008 @ 2:44pm
onside said | March 18th 2008 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
My son says he’s 186cm. I reckon he’s 6’1″
March 18th 2008 @ 3:05pm
Towser said | March 18th 2008 @ 3:05pm | Report comment
Dave
I think before there’s a name change Qantas will have long had their say before you or I get a look in.
March 18th 2008 @ 3:26pm
Midfielder said | March 18th 2008 @ 3:26pm | Report comment
Interesting arguements guys, however the term football and the brand Socceroo are two different things as I see it.
In fact brand Socceroo has a history and bye and large a name. Using an arguement from another thread the Rabbito’s (South Sydney NRL team) is a crap name by the todays standards, but has a history that earns respect from where it came. Socceroos should stay IMO simply because of its history, as an aside we could never agree on what to call the new team anyway.
But football should remain the term used to describe the playing of the game, as I said at the start you can have both.