Greatest Ever Australian Footballer (Strikers)

ATTILA ‘ATTI’ ABONYI

Born in Budapest, Hungary, Abonyi took up football after emigrating to Australia at age 10. Starting in Melbourne for local side Melbourne Hungaria Abonyi moved to Sydney to join St George-Budapest and was selected in the Socceroos squad for the 1974 World Cup. Currently the 10th most capped Socceroo and tied-third top goal scorer with John Kosmina.

Date of Birth:            16 August 1946

Clubs:                      1962-1968 Melbourne Hungaria

1969-1976 St George-Budapest

1977-1979 Sydney Croatia 89 Appearances

1980 Melita Eagles

Socceroos Stats:       61 Appearances

25 Goals

Debut:                      1967 vs. Scotland (Melbourne)

 

FRANK FARINA

Born in Darwin, NT, Following a scholarship at the AIS Farina began his professional career with Canberra City before moving to Sydney to play for Sydney City and Marconi. Farina moved abroad to Belgium, signing for Club Brugge where he spent three successful years before transferring to Bari and becoming the first Australian to play in the Serie A. His career at Bari which was punctuated by a loan move to England with Notts County, followed by a transfer to France with RC Strasbourg and then Lille before returning home to play for Brisbane Strikers and then Marconi.

Date of Birth:              5 September 1964

Clubs:                      1983-1984 Canberra City 41 Appearances

1985-1986 Sydney City 43 Appearances

1987-1988 Marconi 47 Appearances

1988-1991 Club Brugge 75 Appearances

1991-1992 Bari 8 Appearances

1992 Notts County 3 Appearances

1992-1994 RC Strasbourg 47 Appearances

1994-1995 Lille 27 Appearances

1995-1998 Brisbane Strikers 43 Appearances

1998-1999 Marconi 2 Appearances

Socceroos Stats:        37 Appearances

10 Goals

Debut:                       1984 vs. China (Beijing)

 

 

AURELIO VIDMAR

Born in Adelaide, SA, Vidmar started his career with Adelaide City making 157 appearances for the club before moving overseas and finding success throughout Europe. Initially signed by Belgian club Kortrijk, Vidmar moved to Waregem then to Standard Liege where he was the Belgian League’s top scorer for the 1994/5 season with 22 goals. This lead to a transfer to Dutch giants Feyenoord.

After a season in Holland, Vidmar continued his European journey in Switzerland with Sion, before moving on to Tenerife in La Liga. Although starting brightly in La Liga, Vidmar was frozen out of the first team after multiple coaching changes and club turmoil, eventually leading to a transfer to Japan with Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Vidmar spent two seasons in Japan before returning to Australia with Adelaide City and then ending his career with Adelaide United. Vidmar is currently the Socceroos tied-tenth top goal scorer with Gary Cole.

Date of Birth:            3 February 1967

Clubs:                     1985-1991 Adelaide City 157 Appearances

1991-1992 Kortrijk 30 Appearances

1992-1994 Waregem 57 Appearances

1994-1995 Standard Liege 32 Appearances

1995-1996 Feyenoord 15 Appearances

1996 Sion 13 Appearances

1997-1998 Tenerife 25 Appearances

1998-1999 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 24 Appearances

1999-2003 Adelaide City 137 Appearances

2003-2004 Adelaide United 27 Appearances

Socceroos Stats:      44 Appearances

17 Goals

Debut:                      1991 vs. Czechoslovakia (Melbourne)

 

TIM CAHILL

Born in Sydney, NSW, Cahill is one of the most famous Australian footballers of all time. He is plying his trade at Everton FC in the English Premier League. He has accomplished a lot in his career already. He scored the first ever goal for Australia in a World cup scoring twice against Japan in a 3-1 win in Germany at the 2006 world cup. He also scored the first goal by an Australian at an Asian Cup.

He is known as a talented and energetic player who is particularly gifted in aerial contests, despite being quite small in comparison to most footballers. He is the most prolific scorer with his head, in the illustrious English Premier League, scoring 31 goals of his 54 with his head. He is an integral part of the Everton football club, captaining the side in Phil Neville’s absence. He was nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2006 and in 2004 was named both Everton’s player of the season and player’s player of the season.

He has scored the most goals by an Australian at world cup finals and has scored more goals than any other player (post-war) against the most decorated club in England, Liverpool FC. Cahill is heavily involved with the Unique Children’s charity and is widely considered a national hero.

Date of Birth:            6 December 1979

Clubs:                     1998-2004 Millwall 217 Appearances

2004- Everton 211 Appearances

Socceroos Stats:      55 Appearances

24 Goals

Debut:                     2004 vs. South Africa (London)

 

 

ADRIAN ALSTON

Born in Preston, England, Alston came to Australia to play for South Coast United in 1968 and was quickly brought into the Socceroos squad. Alston appeared in all three of the Socceroos 1974 World Cup games and went on to play in England for Luton Town and Cardiff City and in America for the Tampa Bay Rowdies before finishing his career where it began with Wollongong City.

Date of Birth:            6 February 1949

Clubs:                     1968-1969 South Coast United

1970-1972 St George-Budapest

1974 Safeway United 13 Appearances

1974-1975 Luton Town 29 Appearances

1975-1976 Cardiff City 48 Appearances

1977 Canberra City 10 Appearances

1977-1978 Tampa Bay Rowdies 19 Appearances

1984 Wollongong City 1 Appearance

Socceroos Stats:        42 Appearances

7 Goals

Debut:                     1969 vs. Greece (Sydney)

 

 

RAY BAARTZ

Born in Newcastle, NSW, Baartz began his career with local club Adamstown Rosebuds before being signed by Manchester United for two years. Upon returning to Australia with Sydney Hakoah, Baartz was brought into the Socceroos squad where he established himself as a key player before his career was cut short after an incident in Australia’s warm up friendlies with Uruguay. Although unable to play, Baartz still traveled with the Socceroos squad for the World Cup.  Currently the Socceroos tied-ninth top goal scorer with Brett Emerton.

Date of Birth:            6 March 1947

Clubs:                     1963 Adamstown Rosebuds

1963-1965 Manchester United

1966-1974 Sydney Hakoah

Socceroos Stats:      48 Appearances

16 Goals

Debut:                     1967 vs. Scotland (Sydney)

 

 

JOHN KOSMINA  

Born in Adelaide, SA, Kosmina appeared for local clubs Adelaide Polonia and West Adelaide SC before spending a season abroad in England with Arsenal. Following his stint with Arsenal, Kosmina returned to West Adelaide before moving to Sydney to join Sydney City, quickly becoming one of the NSL most prolific goalscorers.

The later years of Kosmina’s career were spent with clubs Sydney Olympic, APIA Leichhardt and Sutherland.  Currently the Socceroos tied-third top goal scorer with Attila Abonyi

Date of Birth:            17 August 1956

Clubs:                      1973-1976 Adelaide Polonia

1977 West Adelaide SC 23 Appearances

1978 Adelaide City 4 Appearances

1979 Arsenal 1 Appearance

1979-1980 West Adelaide SC 44 Appearances

1981-1986 Sydney City 150 Appearances

1987-1988 Sydney Olympic 44 Appearances

1989 APIA Leichhardt 24 Appearances

1990 Sutherland

Socceroos Stats:         60 Appearances

25 Goals

Debut:                        1976 vs Hong Kong (Gosford)

 

GRAHAM ARNOLD

Born in Sydney, NSW, Arnold started his career at Canterbury-Marrickville before moving on to Sydney United during which time he made his Socceroos debut. In 1990 he transferred to Holland with Roda JC before playing in Belgium with Liege and Charleroi then returning to Holland with NAC. Arnold ended playing abroad in Japan with Sanfrecce Hiroshima and moved to Northern Spirit as a player/coach leading to his currently successful coaching career including coaching the Socceroos to the 2007 Asian Cup. Arnold is currently the Socceroos eighth top goal scorer

Date of Birth:            3 August 1963

Clubs:                     1980-1981 Canterbury-Marrickville

1982-1990 Sydney United 178 Appearances

1990-1992 Roda JC 61 Appearances

1992-1994 Liege 60 Appearances

1994-1995 Charleroi 16 Appearances

1995-1997 NAC Breda 63 Appearances

1997-1998 Sanfrecce Hiroshima 28 Appearances

1999-2001 Northern Spirit 47 Appearances

Socceroos Stats:       57 Appearances

19 Goals

Debut:                     1985 vs Taiwan (Adelaide)

 

 

MARK VIDUKA

Born in Melbourne, VIC, Mark Viduka is seen by many as Australia’s best ever striker. Another product of the AIS program, Mark started his career in the NSL with the Melbourne Knights where he won the NSL in the 94/95 season and the Johnny Warren Medal twice (93/94 and 94/95). While still with the Knights, he made his Socceroos debut in 1994.

His performances in the NSL lead him to Croatia Zagreb (Dynamo Zagreb) a club at which he won three league/cup doubles. After 40 goals in just over 80 appearances for Zagreb, Mark moved to Celtic where he won the Scottish League Cup. In 2000 he moved to the English Premier League club Leeds United. This is perhaps his best period. That same year he played for the Olyroos at the Sydney Olympics.

His time at Leeds included a Champion’s League semi-final appearance and over 70 goals in 166 appearances in all competitions (130 league appearances). During this time he was regarded as one of the best strikers in the world.

Following Leeds’ relegation Viduka moved to Middleborough. This proved a successful period too and during this time he captained the Socceroos to the World Cup becoming only the second player to do so.

Viduka finished his career at Premier League club Newcastle United, a time which he experienced numerous injuries. Viduka last played for the Socceroos in 2007.

Date of Birth:            9 October 1975

Clubs:                    1993-1995 Melbourne Knights 48 Appearances

1995-1998 Croatia Zagreb 84 Appearances

1998-2000 Celtic 37 Appearances

2000-2004 Leeds United 130 Appearances

2004-2007 Middlesbrough 72 Appearances

2007-2009 Newcastle United 38 Appearances

Socceroos Stats:      43 Appearances

11 Goals

Debut:                   1994 vs South Africa (Adelaide)

 

 

BRANKO BULJEVIĆ

Belgrade Buljević was born in Split, Croatia. After starting with OFK Belgrade Buljević moved to Victoria to play for Footscray JUST during which time he was called up to the Socceroos and appeared in all three of the Socceroos games at the 1974 World Cup. Buljević transferred to Heidelberg United and then on to South Melbourne FC before returning to Footscray JUST to end his career.

Date of Birth:            6 September 1947

Clubs:                    1966-1967 OFK Belgrade 1 Appearance

1968-1976 Footscray JUST

1977-1979 Heidelberg United 74 Appearances

1980-1983 South Melbourne FC 87 Appearances

1985 Footscray JUST 9 Appearances

Socceroos Stats:       22 Appearances

7 Goals

Debut:                    1972 vs Indonesia (Jakarta)

 

DAVID MITCHELL

Born in Glasgow, Scotland, Mitchell was brought into the Socceroos while playing in Australia with Adelaide City he then moved back to his country and place of birth to play for Glasgow Rangers. After playing for two seasons with Glasgow Rangers Mitchell broke significant ground in regard to Australians playing overseas outside of the UK, by representing clubs in Hong Kong (Seiko), Germany (Eintract Frankfurt), Holland (Feynoord and NEC), Turkey (Altay Izmir) and Malaysia (Selangor) before finishing his career in Australia with Sydney Olympic and Sydney United.

Date of Birth:            13 June 1962

Clubs:                      1980-1983 Adelaide City 40 Appearances

1983-1985 Rangers 26 Appearances

1985 Seiko

1985-1987 Eintract Frankfurt 35 Appearances

1987-1989 Feyenoord 40 Appearances

1989-1990 Chelsea 7 Appearances

1990 NEC 6 Appearances

1990-1991 Newcastle United 2 Appearances

1991-1993 Swindon 68 Appearances

1993 Altay Izmir 3 Appearances

1993-1995 Milwall 55 Appearances

1995-1996 Selangor

1996-1997 Sydney Olympic 9 Appearances

1997-1999 Sydney United 24 Appearances

Socceroos Stats:        29 Appearances

11 Goals

Debut:                      1981 vs Taiwan (Adelaide)

 

 

EDDIE KRNČEVIĆ

Born in Geelong, VIC, Krnčević along with David Mitchell paved the way for Australians to play outside of both Australia and the UK. Krnčević started his career at Essendon Croatia before moving to Sydney to play for Marconi. From Marconi he was transferred to Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia before moving to Germany with Duisberg followed by a brief stint back in Australia with Sydney Croatia. Krnčević then moved to Belgium where he established himself with Cercle Brugge then on to Anderlecht.

After a short period with Marconi Krnčević moved to France with Mulhouse before moving back to Belgium with FC Lierge, Eendracht Aalst and Charleroi, Krnčević returned to Australian soil to finish his career with Gippsland Falcons.

Date of Birth:            14 August 1960

Clubs:                     1977-1978 Essendon Croatia

1979-1981 Marconi 81 Appearances

1981-1984 Dinamo Zagreb 40 Appearances

1984 Duisberg 18 Appearances

1985 Sydney Croatia 3 Appearances

1985-1986 Cercle Brugge 45 Appearances

1986-1989 Anderlecht 84 Appearances

1988 Marconi 1 Appearance

1989-1990 Mulhouse 29 Appearances

1990-1992 FC Lierge 38 Appearances

1992-1995 Eendracht Aalst 51 Appearances

1995-1996 Charleroi 17 Appearances

1996-1997 Gippsland Falcons 19 Appearances

Socceroos Stats:      22 Appearances

8 Goals

Debut:                     1979 vs New Zealand (Auckland)

 

 

HARRY KEWELL  

Born in Smithfield, Harry Kewell is arguably Australia’s finest ever player. With skills and pace that terrified defenders in the English Premier League for a decade, Harry set the football world alight from a young age.

A product of the Leeds United youth Academy, Harry made his debut for Leeds as an 18 year old in 1996. It was the start of what was to be one of the most decorated careers of any Australian to play the game. His time at Leeds included semi final appearances in both the UEFA Cup (99/00) and UEFA Champion’s League (00/01), along with winning the PFA Young Player of the Year award (99/00).

A move to boyhood club Liverpool came in 2003 and despite an injury plagued spell there, he still managed to pick up an FA Cup (05/06), and a Champion’s League (04/05) winners medal, becoming the first Australian born player to win a Champion’s League (Craig Johnston was born in South Africa). Kewell finished up his European career with Turkish powerhouses Galatasary before – what is arguably the biggest signing for Australian football (even Australian sport) – his move to Melbourne Victory.

On the international scene, Harry has had his moments of glory too. He was Oceania player of the year in 1999, 2001 and 2003, an Asian Cup (2011) and Confederations Cup (1997) runners up, Oceania champion (2004). However, Harry is remembered most for his goals for Australia against England (2003) and Croatia (2006) which sent the Socceroos through to second round of the World Cup.

Date of Birth:            22 February 1978

Clubs:                     1995–2003 Leeds United FC 181 Appearances

2003–2009 Liverpool 93 Appearances

2008–2011 Galatasaray S.K. 61 Appearances

2011– Melbourne Victory FC 18 Appearances

Socceroo Stats:        56 Appearances

17 Goals

Debut:                     1996 vs Chile (Atofagasta, Chile)

 

 

JOHN ALOISI

Born in Adelaide, SA, Aloisi is one of Australia’s most celebrated footballers. His list of achievements as a footballer is impressive and he is forever known as the man who sent the Socceroos to the 2006 World Cup with his now infamous penalty.

But Aloisi’s achievements are not restricted to that moment. Aloisi is still the only player to have played in the ‘Big 3” leagues in the world – Italy’s Serie A, Spain’s La Liga and the English Premier League. In 1995, while he was with Cremonese, John became the youngest foreigner to score in the Serie A. Aloisi then went to Spain’s La Liga and had successful spells with both Osansuna and Alves in the early to mid 2000s, a stint which included a goal in the Copa Del Ray final.

In 2007, John returned to Australia and signed a short term deal with the Central Coast Mariners. His 7 goals in 15 games helped lead the Mariners to the 2007/2008 grand final but ultimately lost. He went on to sign for Sydney FC where he was the highest paid footballer in Australia in any code. He also won a championship in 2009/2010 and was the first Sydney player to score 10 or more goals in a season. He then moved onto Melbourne Heart’s inaugural season in 2010/2011, which was his last season as a player.

On the international front, John’s achievements are equally as impressive. He played in the 2004 summer Olympics, was 2nd on the scoring charts in the 2005 Confederations Cup (including 2 goals against both Germany and Argentina) and was the 2nd Australian player to score at a world cup. He is also the 3rd highest goal scorer for Australia. And who can forget that penalty?

 

Date of Birth:            5 February 1976

Clubs:                     1991-1992 Adelaide City 1 Appearance

1992-1993 Standard Liege

1993-1995 Antwerp 35 Appearances

1995-1997 Cremonese 48 Appearances

1997-1998 Portsmouth 60 Appearances

1998-2001 Coventry City 41 Appearances

2001-2005 Osansuna 120 Appearances

2005-2007 Alaves 58 Appearances

2007-2008 Central Coast Mariners 15 Appearances

2008-2010 Sydney FC 40 Appearances

2010-2011 Melbourne Heart 20 Appearances

Socceroos Stats:      55 Appearances

27 Goals

Debut:                    1997 vs Macedonia (Skopje)

 

 

REG DATE

Newcastle native Reg Date is widely regarded as one of Australia’s great goal scorers. He started his career with Plattsburgh Primary School in northern NSW in 1930. His junior career included 305 goals with the Plattsburgh club Under-16 and Under-18 teams. Between 1937 and 1953, Date scored 664 goals in competition games, including nine goals in one game, seven goals in two games and six goals in three games. In his junior and senior career, Date kicked a total of 1,616 goals.

Date got his first cap for Australia in 1947 when South Africa visited. He played in two warm up matches for the tourists in April and then in all five test matches in May and June. Australia lost the series three-one with one match drawn, but Reg Date was the star scoring in all but the final game and delivering a hat-trick in Australia’s victory in Newcastle by five goals to one, the biggest winning margin of the series.

Most of his playing career was spent with Wallsend (from 1937 to 1953), with exception of a three-year stint playing with Canterbury. His most productive years were 1947, when he scored 72 goals in the season for Canterbury, and 1937 when he scored 204 goals for Plattsburgh Under-18s.

Date of Birth:                        26 July 1921

Clubs (1937-1953):              Plattsburgh

Wallsend

Canterbury

Socceroos Stats:                  6 appearances

Debut:                                  1947

 

 

JOHN WATKISS

Born in England, Watkiss emigrated from England to Australia with his family.  Starting his career at Canterbury-Marrickville, Watkiss moved to APIA Leichhardt before ending up at Hakoah, which led to his selection in the Socceroos squad for the 1974 World Cup.

Date of Birth:             28 March 1941

Clubs:                       1957-1963 Canterbury-Marrickville

1964-1968 APIA Leichhardt

1969-1974 Hakoah

1975-1978 Sutherland

Socceroos Stats:      23 Appearances

2 Goals

Debut:                      1965 vs. North Korea (Phnom Penh)