Aussies in Britain: Best XI of All Time

[Monoethnic Social Club]

About 1/4 of the 1974 squad all came to Australia as adult looking for opportunities in football in this country.

Exactly, some of them COULD have represented their countries of birth but CHOSE Australia instead...

Not everyone chose Australia as a PLAN B is what Im saying.

Some did for sure, but not all.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

One of our greatest defenders Milan Ivanović did a Fornaroli.

But that says more about how strong the Yugoslav national team was that such a player (and I agree he was an amazing player) got to 30 years old without a single national team cap.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Exactly, some of them COULD have represented their countries of birth but CHOSE Australia instead... Forgot to add that most emigrated for regular JOBS not to play semi-professional state football .

Not everyone chose Australia as a PLAN B is what Im saying.

Some did for sure, but not all.

 

[Robbos]

But that says more about how strong the Yugoslav national team was that such a player (and I agree he was an amazing player) got to 30 years old without a single national team cap.

I know they were strong.

Not sure what the Uruguayans coaches saw in Folan, Suarez or Cavinni ahead of Foranoli

 

[HonestSpursFan]

Plenty of migrants have always played for Australia

If they grew up here or were born here it’s different. Just playing for another country because you’re eligible (usually if your parents or grandparents were from there) and to get clout from being “European” isn’t the same as a refugee being forced to move overseas as a kid and then growing up in that country and then playing football in that country.

 

[HonestSpursFan]

Not ALWAYS true... I mean Cahill could have played for Samoa but then wouldn't have had a chance to go a WC.

Yeah, but he was born here. He's Aussie first, Samoan second, English/Irish third.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

Yeah, but he was born here. He's Aussie first, Samoan second, English/Irish third.

Thats some fairly FIRM definitions of self identity you have cultivating there chief... Glad you have the certainty of youth but how each individual feels is an entirely a personal decision, especially when they legally have the privileged of a few differing choices. . You see thing pretty black or white on matters of race it seems, at least for self professed "centrist"

 

[ashtongate]

If they grew up here or were born here it’s different. Just playing for another country because you’re eligible (usually if your parents or grandparents were from there) and to get clout from being “European” isn’t the same as a refugee being forced to move overseas as a kid and then growing up in that country and then playing football in that country.

And this is why Australia were suspended from FIFA from 1958-1963.
Australian clubs claimed that top players like Scheinflug, Jaros, de Bruyckere etc who came here at that time were economic migrants, and refused to pay transfer fees for them.
Their European clubs said rightly that they were professional footballers, and had come here primarily to play football.
Eventually the Aussie clubs had to cough up.

 

[HonestSpursFan]

Thats some fairly FIRM definitions of self identity you have cultivating there chief... Glad you have the certainty of youth but how each individual feels is an entirely a personal decision, especially when they legally have the privileged of a few differing choices. . You see thing pretty black or white on matters of race it seems, at least for self professed "centrist"

It's a bit weird if you're identifying as X but were born and raised in Y. Cristian Volpato is Aussie: born in Australia, raised in Australia, but of Italian descent. Liam Chipperfield is Swiss: born in Switzerland, raised in Switzerland, but of Australian descent.

People should be proud of their background, absolutely, but never forget where you were born and raised. I am an Aussie: born here, raised here, lived all but four years of my life here. But I'm not Indigenous, and therefore am of migrant background (everyone bar people in remote Indigenous communities has at least some foreign descent). I'm proud of my "nashos", but first and foremost I'm an Aussie.

Same logic here, I can't just go to say, China or India, claim to be Chinese or Indian and demand to be treated like a local. That could even be considered racist. Europeans hate when Americans claim to be European before anything else (e.g Irish Americans saying "I'm proper Irish, my great-grandpa was Irish"), we should be treated equally.

 

[Quicky]

Quicky, yep I got you - for the record I wasn't having a go might I add, good thought for a thread am all for it.

All good mate. Tone in my head writing that wasn't how I think it read.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

It's a bit weird if you're identifying as X but were born and raised in Y. Cristian Volpato is Aussie: born in Australia, raised in Australia, but of Italian descent. Liam Chipperfield is Swiss: born in Switzerland, raised in Switzerland, but of Australian descent.

People should be proud of their background, absolutely, but never forget where you were born and raised. I am an Aussie: born here, raised here, lived all but four years of my life here. But I'm not Indigenous, and therefore am of migrant background (everyone bar people in remote Indigenous communities has at least some foreign descent). I'm proud of my "nashos", but first and foremost I'm an Aussie.

Same logic here, I can't just go to say, China or India, claim to be Chinese or Indian and demand to be treated like a local. That could even be considered racist.

Again, Im glad you are so clear cut the issue but not sure why you feel you have the right to dictate to others how or what THEY feel.

So Christian Volpata goes to Italy as a young man because he was brought up to honour his heritage and after living there feels the same connection is different to Liam Chipperfield honouring his fathers cultural heritage should he ever chose to return to Australia and play for the Socceroos? For me both these young men are entitled to feel however they feel and are and always will be welcome (by me) as fellow Aussies.

What you find weird other find normal... THAT why FIFA has rules of eligibility around these things and most countries have sovereign citizenry test to clarify what they legally consider to be a citizen of their country...

As for you comment about not being able to be considered a "local" after living in particular place for many years and it being racist, perhaps in China as I dont know what their migration rules allow but Im pretty sure you can apply for citizenship to India after a certain amount of time and PLAY for the Indian football team if you so desire AND THEY WOULD WELCOME you for it - you WOULD have to renounce your Aussie citizenship first though.

 

[Monoethnic Social Club]

And this is why Australia were suspended from FIFA from 1958-1963.
Australian clubs claimed that top players like Scheinflug, Jaros, de Bruyckere etc who came here at that time were economic migrants, and refused to pay transfer fees for them.
Their European clubs said rightly that they were professional footballers, and had come here primarily to play football.
Eventually the Aussie clubs had to cough up.

But the Hungarians and the Czechs made sure the payments where under the table.... damn you FIFA.... hahaahahah SMH

 

[Football us life]

Viduka
Kewell ---------------- Johnston
Cahill
Mooy ------ Jedinak
Lazaridis - Moore - Neill - Emo/Slater ?
Schwarzer

As good as they all are not one of those players apart from Craig Johnston could have gotten anywhere near that Liverpool team of the 1970/80's....

Not Kewell, nor Viduka, Cahill or Schwarzer all of which could be described as world class players in their pomp.

It was one of the greatest club teams in European football history. Certainly the greatest ever team in British football history.

I know he didn't represent Australia but Johno has to be Australia's greatest ever football player in terms of ability. He was an absolute phenomenal player.

Can't believe he's not on everyone's list....

 

[LFC]

As good as they all are not one of those players apart from Craig Johnston could have gotten anywhere near that Liverpool team of the 1970/80's....

Not Kewell, nor Viduka, Cahill or Schwarzer all of which could be described as world class players in their pomp.

It was one of the greatest club teams in European football history. Certainly the greatest ever team in British football history.

I know he didn't represent Australia but Johno has to be Australia's greatest ever football player in terms of ability. He was an absolute phenomenal player.

Can't believe he's not on everyone's list....

settle FuL - no way was I saying or implying as such of my Aussie Team of UK players.
Christ when you look at the list of LFC players of the 70/80's you said it - some of the greatest players together of the times !!!
As I mentioned - the young gens have no idea - no one comes near him and I know you have your Boro roots before he came to LFC.
TBH I could see HK or Dukes having a run back in those days (from the bench ?) maybe I'm dreaming considering I rate them so much for us.

 

[Quicky]

@LFC this ones for you

Viduka
Kewell ---------------- Johnston
Cahill
Mooy ------ Jedinak
Dorigo - Marston - Neill - Emerton
Schwarzer​

 

[Hillbilly55]

How can people leave Bosnich out of the "BEST". He played over 200 games for Villa in the EPL. He was signed by Alex Ferguson in his prime and as no. 1. He won a world Club Cup, playing for the team of the 90's.

As far as I am aware, he's the only Aussie picked in a world 11 for a year during his time with Villa.

 

[rebelliousfeminist974]

How can people leave Bosnich out of the "BEST". He played over 200 games for Villa in the EPL. He was signed by Alex Ferguson in his prime and as no. 1. He won a world Club Cup, playing for the team of the 90's.

As far as I am aware, he's the only Aussie picked in a world 11 for a year during his time with Villa.

I think Bosnich is on par with Mark Schwarzer in that both were high-calibre keepers with storied careers but I'd say that more associate Schwarzer with being 'the greatest' as opposed to Bosnich.

 

[LFC]

good and right mention Hillbilly re Bozza.
I think his shorter career has worked against him compared to MS.
He sure was damn good ! @ Villa he was very good but he went to a new level joining United as we knew and its players.
Scholes was very critical of him

Paul Scholes labels “unprofessional” Mark Bosnich as Manchester United’s worst signing

Legendary Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has claimed that Mark Bosnich is the club’s worst-ever signing.The Australian played in two separate spells at Old Trafford in 1990-1991 and also ...

sports.yahoo.com

Mind you thats one persons opinion.

 

[HonestSpursFan]

How can people leave Bosnić out of the "BEST". He played over 200 games for Villa in the EPL.

Mark Schwarzer played over 500 Prem games, more than any non-Brit ever (and one of only a select few players, all the rest of whom are English or Welsh, to have played over 500 EPL matches).

Both were great keepers though (and both were Aussies named Mark). Mark Bosnić played for an insanely good Man United side. I'd be fine with either in an all-time Socceroos 11 but any other choice is mental.

Bozza was kinda controversial during his career though as mentioned with the Paul Scholes article above. Nevertheless great player.

 

[Kitwally]

Any kid or person following football in Australia in the 80s, was watching Craig Johnston play for Liverpool were in awe of him
He was living their dream, playing for the best club in the world (at that stage), winning Champions league, winning premierships (he won 5 premierships in England) & scoring goals in the FA cup final in Wembley (it was massive for young Aussies to dream of scoring in an FA cup final back then).
His nicknames were Skippy (he was an Aussie) & Springsteen (massive Springsteen fan).
I believe Liverpool has a huge following in this country because of Craig Johnston.
Shame he never played for Australia.

Massive fan!!!!

Your comment is bang on the money!