Episode 26 - David McGaw; national team match programs; Reg Date; Les Clisby

Photo of the John Perin statue sourced by Dimitri Peppas.

Download and listen to episode 26 here.

Episode 26 starts off with Ian's 60th birthday spectacular.

The "Mark Boric Express" has been updating his blog with more things, as per usual. The "Paul Mavroudis Amble" has also had an update, featuring additions to Paul's South Melbourne Hellas match program archive, but also a couple of additions to his much less impressive than Mark's document archive.

In the map update segment, Paul Hunt makes note that the reason there are no Tasmanian markers is because he doesn't seem to be able find anything fitting the criteria. There's also some discussion about the overkill of naming items in Murwillumbah soccer - see this work in progress document on the history of Murwillumbah soccer.

Then there's some chat about the half-forgotten story of the wax statue of Adelaide City champion John Perin, with a photo provided by Dimitri Peppas (whom Paul mistakenly calls Dimitri "Pellas"; very embarrassing error).

Ian then muses on the notion and value of biography with regards to Australian soccer history, and his continuing realisation that his slavish devotion to rejecting the "great man in history" theory may have been limiting. This leads to a discussion on Reg Date. and a cross-code charity game of rugby league and soccer which Reg Date starred in.

Then we had a chat with David McGaw, a Novocastrian with a penchant for collecting Socceroos and other Australian national team match programs. We discuss form, content, and the irreplaceable tactile mnemonic aesthetic of match programs, and the lengths it takes David is also hoping to revive the practice of FFA providing match programs at Socceroos games. (for a selection of Australian national team match programs, see Mark Boric's national team program page). For copies of The Score fanzine, see here for volume 1, and here for volume 2.

We finally get to 100 Years Ago Today, which segues across to discussion of footage of Australian soldiers playing soccer during the Second World War, and the exploits of soccer playing pilot Les Clisby.

Episode 23 - Ian's Newcastle trip; Paul's map of Australian soccer cultural map

Download and listen to episode 23 here.

Paul begins the show by reminiscing about how good the NSL's disregard for punctual kickoff times.

We note that Mark Boric has been uploading match programs, including material provided by Graeme McGinty. Also credit to George Cotsanis for uploading some interesting videos, much of which would not have been seen in decades... and the discussion goes back to reminiscing. Even for a history show, that's a lot reminiscing.

And then Ian begins talking about his trip to Newcastle. First, there was the launch for John Maynard's revised Aboriginal Soccer Tribe.. but a lot of people who should have been there weren't.  Then Ian got chauffeured up to Newcastle from Sydney by Todd Blackwell. And then Ian spent the weekend being driven around everywhere by David McGaw. The overwhelming effect was how deep soccer's roots were in Newcastle.

Then Ian went to the Northern New South Wales grand final, and noted the differences between the styles in soccer support between Newcastle and Melbourne... a discussion about the difference between interest and intensity... and how much passion is too much. (For the blog by South Hobart blogger Richard Rants, see this link) And what do grand finals mean and what are they worth compared to finishing on top of the table?

The next day Ian went to the library, but apparently libraries are boring now according to Ian. More fun was catching up with Newcastle soccer historians and historian adjacent people... and more musings on belonging, and the material and cultural conditions which can create that relaxed sense of belonging.

Then Ian talks about meeting Bob Heppelwhite, a West Wallsend stalwart, who regaled Ian with a tale about playing against Reg Date, and Ian missing the chance to tap in old stories of Australian soccer.

After the break is a big announcement from David Eland, CEO of Northern NSW Football, and Greg Groombridge - an offer of a cash reward for anyone who can help find the whereabouts of the Merewether Advance roll of honour.

Then 100 Years Ago Today with the thrilling conclusion to the 1919 Victorian league season.

And finally, the birth of Paul's Australian cultural map project.