If our top 25 Australians feature proved anything, it’s that this nation has a fine football tradition. But who are the very best footballers we have produced? After receiving a bollocking for omitting Viduka, this time we let you decide... and take the flak! Here’s how you voted…
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2. JOHNNY WARREN
The face of Australian football, most football fans would agree that the sport’s current success in Australia owes more to “Captain Socceroo” than anyone else, and well over half of our voters had him in their top five.
A vocal proponent of professional football, as a commentator and journalist, Warren documented the problems facing the game in Australia in his best-selling book Sheilas, Wogs and Poofters and was on the committee of the Crawford Report in 2003 which led to the formation of the A-League.
He is much loved for the passion he showed for football, famously crying on national TV when the Socceroos failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
Warren’s list of honours is long. He was the first Australian footballer to be made an MBE in 1973, and in 2002 he received a Medal of the Order of Australia.
What people tend to overlook is Warren, a midfielder, was also a fantastic player. A leader on and off the park, he played for Australia 62 times, captaining the side from 1967 to 1970.
His final game for the national side came in Australia’s first ever appearance at the World Cup Finals in 1974. In 1988, he was inducted into the Australian Sports Hall of Fame.
Significantly it is not just Australians who appreciate his immense contribution to the sport. Months before his death in 2004, Warren, along with Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer, was awarded FIFA’s highest honour, the FIFA Centennial Order of Merit.
His last public appearance came at the launch of the A-League – Johnny Warren had set this country on the path to footballing success.
“Synonymous with old school Aussie football.” Guest
“Pioneering.” afromanGT
“To Johnny Warren, who was a personal friend of mine. Australia had no one who had done more for football than Johnny, ever… Yes, he was brilliant, and the best ambassador ever… but not the best player ever. For me, it was [Ray Baartz] Baartzy.” Krueger
“If we’re suggesting the best for the game, Johnny Warren would be #1 in most people’s books.” Dave__89
“For his abilities on the field and his passion.” ole ole ole
“Was Johnny Warren that good? Admittedly I never saw him play live, but I have read/heard mixed reports about how good he actually was. Was his impact greater post-football for all his tireless work, or was he genuinely, from a skill level, one of our best?” sledgeross
3. TIM CAHILL
Goals, goals, goals – the way to every football lover’s heart. But it’s not just how many you score, it’s when you score them. Tim Cahill knows how to pick his moments. Nobody will ever forget his World Cup brace against Japan, first saving, then winning the day.
Our backs were against the wall again at the Asian Cup, 1-0 down against Oman deep into injury time. Enter the super-sub once more, pouncing on the rebound from a Bresciano shot to salvage a draw and Aussie pride.
After 27 games for his country, Cahill boasts an impressive 12 goals from midfield despite often coming off the bench. Yet it so easily could never have happened. His debut for the Socceroos did not come until he was 24 due to eligibility issues after he played for Samoa at U20 level.
By that time he had already spent seven years at Millwall and was about to switch to the Premiership with Everton where he would have a major impact in his first year, topping the club’s goal and assist tallies.
Still only 28 and currently on a goalscoring tear for his club, Cahill seems destined to build on a career that already has him firmly in your top five Australian players of all time. Almost half of you had him on your list and that can’t all be down to his good looks and nice guy persona.
“I love his goals and hops, but have you ever seen him hold the ball for more than five seconds? Ever? He has given away more stuff than Tony Barber.” norimike
“My top five would be… 1.Tim Cahill; 2.Tim Cahill; 3.Tim Cahill; 4.Tim Cahill; 5.Tim Cahill.” S2socceroos
“Only Aussie to be nominated for Footballer of the Year ever.” Guest
“Always there when we need him. Legend!” charrua74
“Will be [top five] when he moves to a bigger club and wins trophies.” bailly
“I’d pay money to see him play. Or just see him really.” Sarah, via email
“How people can have Cahill in their top five is beyond me. The guy can’t pass, dribble or defend.” Maverick
The face of Australian football, most football fans would agree that the sport’s current success in Australia owes more to “Captain Socceroo” than anyone else, and well over half of our voters had him in their top five.
A vocal proponent of professional football, as a commentator and journalist, Warren documented the problems facing the game in Australia in his best-selling book Sheilas, Wogs and Poofters and was on the committee of the Crawford Report in 2003 which led to the formation of the A-League.
He is much loved for the passion he showed for football, famously crying on national TV when the Socceroos failed to qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
Warren’s list of honours is long. He was the first Australian footballer to be made an MBE in 1973, and in 2002 he received a Medal of the Order of Australia.
What people tend to overlook is Warren, a midfielder, was also a fantastic player. A leader on and off the park, he played for Australia 62 times, captaining the side from 1967 to 1970.
His final game for the national side came in Australia’s first ever appearance at the World Cup Finals in 1974. In 1988, he was inducted into the Australian Sports Hall of Fame.
Significantly it is not just Australians who appreciate his immense contribution to the sport. Months before his death in 2004, Warren, along with Pelé and Franz Beckenbauer, was awarded FIFA’s highest honour, the FIFA Centennial Order of Merit.
His last public appearance came at the launch of the A-League – Johnny Warren had set this country on the path to footballing success.
“Synonymous with old school Aussie football.” Guest
“Pioneering.” afromanGT
“To Johnny Warren, who was a personal friend of mine. Australia had no one who had done more for football than Johnny, ever… Yes, he was brilliant, and the best ambassador ever… but not the best player ever. For me, it was [Ray Baartz] Baartzy.” Krueger
“If we’re suggesting the best for the game, Johnny Warren would be #1 in most people’s books.” Dave__89
“For his abilities on the field and his passion.” ole ole ole
“Was Johnny Warren that good? Admittedly I never saw him play live, but I have read/heard mixed reports about how good he actually was. Was his impact greater post-football for all his tireless work, or was he genuinely, from a skill level, one of our best?” sledgeross
3. TIM CAHILL
Goals, goals, goals – the way to every football lover’s heart. But it’s not just how many you score, it’s when you score them. Tim Cahill knows how to pick his moments. Nobody will ever forget his World Cup brace against Japan, first saving, then winning the day.
Our backs were against the wall again at the Asian Cup, 1-0 down against Oman deep into injury time. Enter the super-sub once more, pouncing on the rebound from a Bresciano shot to salvage a draw and Aussie pride.
After 27 games for his country, Cahill boasts an impressive 12 goals from midfield despite often coming off the bench. Yet it so easily could never have happened. His debut for the Socceroos did not come until he was 24 due to eligibility issues after he played for Samoa at U20 level.
By that time he had already spent seven years at Millwall and was about to switch to the Premiership with Everton where he would have a major impact in his first year, topping the club’s goal and assist tallies.
Still only 28 and currently on a goalscoring tear for his club, Cahill seems destined to build on a career that already has him firmly in your top five Australian players of all time. Almost half of you had him on your list and that can’t all be down to his good looks and nice guy persona.
“I love his goals and hops, but have you ever seen him hold the ball for more than five seconds? Ever? He has given away more stuff than Tony Barber.” norimike
“My top five would be… 1.Tim Cahill; 2.Tim Cahill; 3.Tim Cahill; 4.Tim Cahill; 5.Tim Cahill.” S2socceroos
“Only Aussie to be nominated for Footballer of the Year ever.” Guest
“Always there when we need him. Legend!” charrua74
“Will be [top five] when he moves to a bigger club and wins trophies.” bailly
“I’d pay money to see him play. Or just see him really.” Sarah, via email
“How people can have Cahill in their top five is beyond me. The guy can’t pass, dribble or defend.” Maverick
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