On the 10th anniversary of Johnny Warren's death, we salute him and remember his entire legacy
FFA CEO, David Gallop made an observation yesterday in relation to Johnny Warren’s death 10 years ago today (November 6) that “everyone in Australia has a Johnny Warren story.”
Here’s mine.
I met Johnny quite a few times over a timeframe of about 30 years. But like almost every long time football fan of a certain age, I knew him most through his frank and fearless advocacy for the game via SBS-TV. Along with Les Murray, Johnny kept the flame burning for the game through decades of indifference, if not disdain, elsewhere.
While I caught only the tail-end of it, earlier this week there was apparently a bit of a twitter kerfuffle over a column in which the FFA online editor wrote a piece reflecting on his Johnny Warren memories. The column trumpets that Johnny would be saying “I told you so” on the state of the game – especially fresh on the heels of the Western Sydney Wanderers victory in the Asian Champions League and on the back of inarguably the best start ever to the A-League.
I agree. While I would not purport to know him well at all, I reckon Johnny would be delighted at the progress the game has made 10 years on from his passing. How could he not be?
But anyone who saw him on SBS-TV, or who spoke with him in private, would also know he wouldn’t sit on his laurels and think ‘we’re there’.
Johnny Warren’s mission was to push for the continuous betterment of the game – in public, in private, as a player, as a fan and as a media commentator.
He would give praise where it’s due. He would ask questions where he had them. He would prod for change where it was needed. And he would be fiercely critical if he thought it was deserved.
We salute Johnny Warren and all that he achieved for our game in this country.
We can all respect his legacy by continuing to advance the game the way he did.
By the way, you can support the Johnny Warren Football Foundation by purchasing one of the commemorative t-shirts created by Anthony Siokos at the Johnny Warren Community.
