- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Utjesenovic, Alston, Rooney, Schaefer, Wilson, Abonyi, Buljevic, Mackay, Reilly, Ollerton. What do they all have in common?
These are the names of 10 of the 13 Socceroos who would take part in Australia’s historic meeting with West Germany in Hamburg, June 18, 1974. Australia’s first ever at a World Cup.
What they have in common is that none of them were born in Australia.
That’s right, the core – actually, practically the whole – of arguably Australia’s most successful ever Socceroos side (taking into account the fact that they won Australia’s only ever international trophy after a tour of South-East Asia) were not “Australian” by one definition of the word.
Of course, I go by the definition that many media “experts” and FFA execs. appear to have adopted over the past decade with regards to the poaching of our local talent by certain European nations (Croatia, I’m looking at you…and while we’re at it, could Greece please step forward?).
How “wrong” it is for these countries – whose respective economic and social hardships in the past have often been escaped for brief moments through football – to “steal” our Australians.
The actions of Sydney United as recently documented through various media outlets – inviting Croatian scouts to take a look at local talent eligible to wear the red-and-white-checks – have been fiercely criticized by the FFA, to the point where Bucklee has threatened to take some sort of legal action or reprimand the Australian club.
Aside from the fact that there are hints of retribution against the establishment by a club who have been deeply wounded by the changing of the guard of Australian football – in no part of Australia has the ignorance of state football and anything reminiscent of “the old days” been felt more severely than in Sydney’s west – the fact is, that Sydney United are a free enterprise and can do as they please. Who are we to stop them?
People seem to have forgotten the fact that United’s youth development has provided the country a generation Socceroos over the past three decades. No-one can question the contribution of Sydney United to Australian football.
The sudden phobia of having Australian players “stolen” – as though they are material possessions which belong to Australian football – masks a hypocrisy that can only be avoided when we understand that the existence of football in this country as we know it, was built upon the same ideas and actions that the media and governing bodies are so quick to condemn.
It was not uncommon for Johnny Warren and company to literally call-up foreigners – the north of England was a fruitful hunting ground – to play in the National Soccer League and then go on to represent Australia.
Come on Australia, we’ve been “pulling a Croatia” for the past 40 years…
Perhaps more worryingly from a football perspective, the fear of losing young talent masks an issue which is being conveniently ignored by the same people who should be addressing it: the lack of opportunity for development of young players in Australia.
This particular problem exists at grassroots and professional level. It is epitomized by Graham Arnold’s conservative selection policies both with the Socceroos and Olyroos, and by the fact that the national youth league is only just about to begin.
Quite frankly, this isn’t a great place for young talents to develop their careers: and they are quickly catching on.
From a fan’s perspective, the whole argument about making sure that Australian-born players represent Australia seems to defeat the purpose of pulling on the green and gold jersey. Representing your country should be driven by pride and a willingness to do so, not by legal boundaries or expectation. Who wants to see someone forced to play for Australia against their will?
This idea leads on to the whole “Free world” concept, which is a simple one: if the person doesn’t want to play for Australia, no-one can force him.
Drop the hypocrisy, pick-up youth development and strengthen ties with other football nations, rather than fight them. We might even find that we have a thing or two in common.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.