The Legacy of Johnny lives on

Peter Simcox remembers the life and times of Johnny Warren, who passed away exactly twelve months ago.

Its one year on since Australian soccer lost one of its greats following the death of Johnny Warren after a long battle with cancer.

Mr. Soccer died at Sydney's Royal Prince Alfred Hospital shortly after 5:30pm (AEDT) on Saturday November 6th 2004, aged 61. Known as "Captain Socceroo" for his unique passion for the game, Warren played in Australia's only appearance in the World Cup finals in 1974. He played 42 internationals for the green & gold from 1965 to 1974, but his commitment to the game didn't end there, with Warren becoming the unofficial spokesman for the game in Australia through his role as a coach, television commentator and author.

Although he has passed away he has left a legacy that will never be forgotten, the man truly had a passion for Australian soccer, sorry Johnny Football!!!, which will probably not be seen again. His dream of a national competition was there for all to see and even though he was seriously ill he made time to promote the new a-league competition. Unfortunately Johnny passed away before the competition began but he will be watching from above, and I believe with a huge smile on his face, after the success of the league so far.

Warren left an impression on all people he met and those like me who hadn’t even met him. I’m not ashamed to say I shed a tear at Warren’s funeral as I watched it live on TV. I’m 42 and was born in the UK, and since arriving in this great land in 1990 I had admired him for his forthright views on the world game, and like myself, loved his sport which gave me a connection with the great man.

I’ll never forget the World Cup qualifier in 1997 against Iran, and Johnny was commentating on SBS of the second leg at the MCG. Australia had squandered a 2-0 lead, drawing 2-2, and once again would not be going to the World Cup finals. It was something Warren had witnessed on more than one occasion, and he could not bear it.

When the camera panned to him after the match, tears were welling in his eyes. The man was in tears on TV because Australia had once again missed out on a chance to prove itself on world soccer's biggest stage.

This cut Captain Socceroo deep, and he could not hide his emotions. Former skipper Paul Wade said, “That was just Johnny Warren. He wore his heart on his sleeve, that's how much Australian soccer meant to him. He unashamedly cried on national television."

Wade, the most capped Socceroos captain of all time, said Warren was the inspiration for him and many other soccer players. "He got to the World Cup and he led his country, and that's something that everyone involved in Australian soccer aspired to," Wade said.

"He was the benchmark of Australian soccer, both in the way he lived it and the way he played it."

Former Socceroo Gary Marocchi was grateful to Johnny in his soccer career and admired the great man, “My first meeting with John was in 1975 when I was selected in the Australian Under 23 team, which played in the Anniversary Cup in Jakarta. John was the assistant coach to Eric Worthington and he gave me the confidence which kick started my selection in the National team and then my transfer to the national league with Adelaide Juventus in 1977."

"John was prepared to work with the individual players to improve their game and being a midfield player, I seemed to take more notice. Throughout my NSL career as a player and coach, plus my radio commitments, I was in contact with John and developed a friendship."

He was so deeply involved in the game but never received the support his reputation in the world game deserved. John was very well known in South America and it is my opinion that he should have been used by the governing body to promote the Australian game to the world."

"People like Johnny Warren are hard to find, and he will never be forgotten for his contribution to Australian 'football'."

Warren was born in Sydney in 1943 and began playing club soccer at age 10. By 1960 he was playing first grade soccer in the New South Wales state league, first with Canterbury and then St George, with whom he won three grand finals.

He debuted for his country against Cambodia in 1965 and was made captain in 1967, before a career-threatening knee injury sustained in 1970 sidelined him for 15 months. He came back to play a part in Australia's successful qualifying campaign for the 1974 World Cup, suffering a foot injury during the 2-0 loss to East Germany in the tournament proper which ruled him out of Australia's remaining games.

He hung up his boots after the tournament, having played 62 internationals, 42 classed as A-internationals. The rest of his life was filled with coaching, preaching and commentating on the game he loved. He was made a Member of the British Empire in 1974, and signed on as coach of Canberra City following the formation of the National Soccer League in 1977.

In 1988 he was one of 200 sports stars to be inducted into Australia's Hall of Fame, and two years later the NSL announced the Warren Medal as its player of the year award. He was one of the inaugural inductees into the Australian Soccer Hall of Fame in 1999, and was included on the Queen's birthday honours list in 2002, receiving a Medal of the Order of Australia.

In the same year he released the best-selling book, “Sheila’s, Wogs and Poofters”, which detailed his experiences and visions for the game in Australia. His biggest honour came in July 2004, when he was rewarded for his services to soccer by FIFA president Sepp Blatter (Right), an award Johnny was proud of.

A year on Johnny name is still in the game with the NSW cup competition being renamed the Johnny Warren Cup, the great man he will not be forgotten. From all Football fans in Western Australia and around this great country Johnny you will always be remembered and let’s hope we can make your dream come true and the Socceroos can qualify for the 2006 World Cup Finals in Germany.

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