23 Facts About Johnny Warren

Johnny Warren was known as Captain Socceroo for his passionate work to promote the game in Australia.

Johnny Warren grew up in the suburb of Botany in Sydney and had two elder brothers, Geoff and Ross.

Johnny Warren attended Cleveland St High School, Surry Hills, later becoming the school vice-captain.

Johnny Warren made his full international debut for Australia in November 1965 against Cambodia in Phnom Penh.

Johnny Warren played 42 international matches, including Australia's first World Cup appearance in 1974.

In 1967 Johnny Warren captained the national team for the first time in a match against New Zealand in Saigon.

Johnny Warren went on to captain Australia in 24 internationals.

In 1974 Johnny Warren was a player-coach with St George Budapest.

Johnny Warren worked in television commentating football for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Special Broadcasting Service television networks.

Johnny Warren frequently argued for abolition of the Oceania Football Confederation, claiming that the OFC offered nothing to either the world game nor to the nations that comprised the confederation.

Johnny Warren favoured a merger between the OFC and AFC that would allow the OFC nations to play in a regular qualification series.

Johnny Warren's publicly held belief was that if Australia's strong sporting tradition was focused on the sport then Australia could be a world power in the game.

Johnny Warren claimed that these results showed that Australia was a much more powerful football nation than many gave it credit for.

Nevertheless, Johnny Warren predicted that the Australian national team would attain consistent international success.

Johnny Warren famously expressed a desire to say 'I told you so' to the team's detractors.

Johnny Warren died of respiratory complications related to his cancer on 6 November 2004, at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.

Johnny Warren was awarded a full state funeral, the first to be held for a sportsman.

Johnny Warren is survived by his only child Shannon Lee Warren and his four grandchildren Riley, Natasha, Tayla and Rhianna.

Johnny Warren publicly advocated for the National Soccer League to be disbanded, recommending so in the 2003 Crawford Report.

In 2005, Johnny Warren's family donated a collection of 503 items of memorabilia to the National Museum of Australia.

The hotel bistro is well known for being a shrine dedicated to Johnny Warren, containing medals, photos, awards and other memorabilia about his life.

Johnny Warren was included in the venue's 'Ring of Champions' along with Arthur Beetson, Ron Coote, Betty Cuthbert and Nicholas Shehadie.

Johnny Warren was recognised by the SCG Trust with a permanent statue outside the stadium in honour of his captaincy of the 1974 Socceroos and his advocacy for the development of association football in Australia.