Football honours its legends
Football Federation Australia (FFA) today honoured its past by paying tribute to some of its greats.
Amongst the 11 people inducted into the Football Hall of Fame at a luncheon ceremony in Melbourne, were five players and six off-field contributors including administrators, a coach, a referee and a journalist.
“Every sport has its legends,” said FFA CEO, Ben Buckley.
“That-s what the Football Hall of Fame is all about - celebrating the legends of the sport on the field, and recognising outstanding and sustained contribution off the field.”
The top honour in 2008 - the Hall of Champions - has been awarded to Adelaide United coach, Aurelio Vidmar, for what Buckley described as a “glittering” playing career.
“Aurelio has just come off the back of a highly successful Asian Champions League campaign, but let-s not forget that he was also an outstanding player for Australia.”
Vidmar made 517 first class appearances, including 53 caps for the Socceroos, in a career which included clubs in Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Japan and his home city of Adelaide.
His career included two stints in the old national soccer league and he was also amongst the initial brigade of successful overseas players to participate in the Hyundai A-League.
In his 454 game club career, Vidmar scored 126 goals. For Australia, he scored 18 goals.
Also honoured in this year-s Hall of Fame, receiving the Medal of Excellence, is former Matildas captain and FIFA Women-s Ambassador, Julie Murray, who has been a pioneer for women-s football throughout her career.
Another South Australian, Murray became one of the youngest members of the women-s national team, the Westfield Matildas, in 1985 at age 15. She played in the 1995 and 1999 FIFA Women-s World Cup tournaments, the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and played professionally in the USA.
Murray played 67 matches for Australia scoring 19 goals.
Other players recognised in the 2008 Hall of Fame induction are Cliff Almond, George Keith and Tracey Wheeler.
The non-playing inductees are former referee John De Witt; journalist Peter Desira; administrators John Thompson, George Dick and Don Di Fabrizio; and former coaching director, Mike Wells.
In addition to naming the 11 new inductees, Buckley launched a new Football Hall of Fame website, www.footballhalloffame.com.au
“We don-t have a ‘bricks and mortar- hall of fame, but we think it-s time that the 200 people who have been inducted into the Hall of Fame are given an appropriate level of recognition through a virtual hall of fame so that is why we have developed this standalone website.
“These people - whether playing legends like Aurelio and Julie - or those who have worked tirelessly off the field have all been part of the rich legacy that has contributed to the growth and development of the sport today.
“They have been an important part of inspiring so many others who play, or participate in a non-playing capacity, in the game and have contributed to the rich heritage of football in Australia,” Buckley said.
The Football Hall of Fame commenced in 1999 and has inducted 208 people. The hall of fame website can be found at www.footballhalloffame.com.au