blake
School Cricketer
My name is Ray Johnson, and I love soccer. I was born here in Brisbane, Australia in 1966. My family was very AFL-oriented, and as a small child I was brought up watching and learning the game of AFL. However, it was around the age of eight that I watched my first ever game of soccer, and I enjoyed it immensely – it was a 1974 World Cup match between the Netherlands and Argentina. I watched on keenly as a player by the name of Johan Cruyff devastated the opposition with dazzling skills and superb footwork. He scored two goals for the Netherlands as they went on to win 4-0. I was amazed by what I had just seen, and vowed to take up soccer. I spent another two years at my AFL club before finally leaving, in pursuit of a soccer career.
Soccer was not hugely popular over here, as one might expect, with all the focus on the AFL, rugby league and cricket. However, there were a few local clubs and I asked my parents permission if I could sign up at one club in particular that was closest to my home – Souths United. My parents grudgingly accepted, although they would have preferred me playing the native sport in AFL. Souths United had been founded only around 15 years ago at the time and were still relatively new, with not a great deal of players. However, they did have an Under 12 team at the time and this was good enough for me. I joined the club at the age of 10.
At first I wanted to play up front or on the wing for Souths United, after watching my hero Johan Cruyff demolish Argentina two years ago in a similar display. However, I soon found out it was not quite as easy as it first seemed. Many of the other kids had already played for a few years and my technical disadvantage was easily seen early on. Despite wishing desperately for a place as a striker or on the wing in the first game of the season, I was named on the bench and came on only for a few minutes as a full-back. I wasn’t happy, but it was this game that made me more determined than anything and I managed to persuade my mother to buy me a soccer ball from the shops on the way home from the game. From then on I practised nonstop – juggling the ball, shooting at the gate in my backyard, and rewatching the one recorded match we had, between the Netherlands and Argentina. I trained with extra intensity at the training sessions that we had, and come the next game I eagerly awaited the coach to read out the lineup...
“Danny, you’re going to be keeping again today son, just do what you did last week, it was fantastic. Tom and Ricky, you guys are playing up front, Ryan and Ben you two are on the wings, David and Jon you guys are in centre midfield. Lucas and Bryce are starting as our centre mids, and Brett and Alexander are playing as fullbacks. Oh, yes and Jamie and Ray are playing in centre defence. On the bench there will be...”
Centre defence? I had trained so hard, worked relentlessly, practised all the tricks of my idol Johan Cruyff and had practised my shooting for hours and suddenly I was playing as a centre back? I couldn’t believe it – I was partially angry at my coach for putting me in defence, but also partially relieved I actually made a starting spot. I ran out together with my team for the first time, as a sense of excitement and awe overwhelmed me. I was going to be playing soccer! I followed Jamie, the other centre defender, as I didn’t really know where I was going. He pointed me my spot, and the match quickly commenced.
Needless to say, I started the match disastrously. I had no clue what I was doing, where I was supposed to run or who I was supposed to tackle. Twice I was caught out of position, up field, hoping to score a goal and our opposition were up 3-1 at half-time. Our coach wasn’t at all happy and let me know about it. He told me to get stuck in there, or else I was going to be benched for the entire next game... and suddenly something clicked in me. I was more determined than ever to put in a great performance, to show the world that I could play soccer, and that I could be a star too.
Immediately after half-time, the other team won the ball and launched an attack. Their quick striker was running at me, daring me to try something. He knew he was good, he had already scored twice, both partially due to my mistakes. He attempted to flick the ball around me but I was not going to let him score again. He attempted to dribble past me but I was having none of it and blocked his path and floored him with my shoulder. He collapsed like a sack on to the ground, while the opposition parents yelled and screamed at the referee. I won the ball and dribbled upfield, before laying on a beautiful pass to our striker who scored. It was 3-2, and everyone was furious at me. Except my coach, that is, who was yelling with delight. “Fantastic stuff Ray, wonderful! That’s how you do it!”
I was inspired, and motivated, and from there I had a blinder. I played far more aggressively, to the point where the other strikers thought twice before attempting to win a ball near me, and made some fantastic tackles – for a kid of my age. Two more of our goals resulted in my assists and we finished the match 5-3 winners, overcoming the deficit at half-time. Needless to say, our coach was chuffed. “Fantastic stuff boys, really well done. That was a great win, you really showed them up out there. Also, Ray, can you just come over here for a moment?”
I walked over to him, where he was beckoning, a little nervous at first. But, the coach broke into a wide grin and said “Where was that in the first half? You were amazing Ray, you really were. Why would you want to play on the wings and up front when you can defend like that? I think you are a natural defender. Fantastic game mate, go catch up with everyone else.”
I was delighted, and suddenly defending didn’t seem like such a bad option after all. Perhaps I was cut out for defending after all? As I got home, I re-watched the match between the Netherlands and Argentina, however this time I wasn’t focussing on Johan Cruyff or the attacking moves from the flashy strikers. Instead, I watched the defence keenly, watching the tackles, the blocks, the headers and the desperate saves. As I got further into the match, defending grew on me and suddenly I knew this was what I was meant to be.
Needless to say, I started every game in centre defence from there on and I continued playing through the junior years until I was offered a part-time contract at Souths United. It wasn’t much, only $5,000 a year, but I was delighted to finally be paid for playing a sport I loved. I was 19 at the time.
At the age of about 21, the realisation hit me that I was never going to be a world star, playing for Australia or in the English Premier League. However, I was enjoying my soccer immensely and as it turned out I accepted the fact that I was just a reasonable footballer. My career with Souths United was a long one, before I moved to Brisbane City at the age of 33. I was being paid only $3,000 a year now to play for City but I loved the club immediately. Everyone from the physio to the chairman was fantastic and I was welcomed with open arms. I played until the age of 39, still remaining as a loyal centre back, until finally a knee injury which required a reconstruction forced me to retire.
I had a fantastic knowledge of football by this time though, and following the departure of previous assistant manager Ben Drake, I was hired after I applied for the job. It was a benefit for the club, as all the players already knew me, as well as the staff, and I was a well-liked and respected figure. My pay even took a step up, as I worked on a part-time contract worth $5,250 per annum.
Then suddenly, on the 3rd of June, 2009, the long-term manager at the club Glen Thompson was diagnosed with liver cancer. It was terrible news for everyone at the club. Glen was like a father figure to some, and he was an extremely well-respected and friendly man who always had the time for anyone. He had taught me some wonderful advice over his time – not just in playing, but in coaching and managing as well, and it was a huge shock to me as I heard the news. After he was diagnosed with cancer, he agreed that he needed to spend some more time with his family and promptly resigned with a heavy heart from Brisbane City.
The job was now open and I applied for it. The City board needed no hesitation at all – I was a solid manager in my own right, and I knew every player and had experience as an assistant manager. I had a huge wealth of knowledge from my playing career and with the season not too far away from commencing they saw nobody else fit to take the job, and on the 8th of June, 2009, I was appointed as the Brisbane City manager. I was immediately shocked by the amount that I was offered - a staggering $67,000 per year, and the board would allow me to keep my current job. However, I wanted to dedicate myself entirely to football and $67,000 was more than enough to survive. I quit my job in web design and server maintenance and focussed fully on Brisbane City. This better pay off.
I already knew most of the players well, although one who excited me was 16 year old Leo Harding, a promising striker who looked like he had the potential to develop into an exciting player. However, our stocks in the goalkeeping department seemed to be lacking a bit. We had Tom Willis, a 25 year old who was reasonably competent, but I thought we needed someone who really had the potential to be a future star, and someone that could win points on his own through saving goals. I had no idea who that might be just yet, but I asked scout Tony Neill if he could kindly have a look for any potential goalkeepers for me.
Meanwhile, assistant manager Joe Prestipino, a new appointment from the board was understandably excited about finding a new club. He asked me if I wanted a friendly to be played between our firsts and our reserve team, just in case I wasn’t completely sure of a few players’ roles. He said that he could arrange it easily for tomorrow night in our home stadium, behind closed doors. This didn’t seem like a bad idea at all and I accepted the idea. So, my first match in charge was only going to be a scratch match – but I didn’t want to get off to a losing start. My career as a manager was just starting here. Do I have the potential to guide Brisbane City to promotion?
Ray Johnson
Soccer was not hugely popular over here, as one might expect, with all the focus on the AFL, rugby league and cricket. However, there were a few local clubs and I asked my parents permission if I could sign up at one club in particular that was closest to my home – Souths United. My parents grudgingly accepted, although they would have preferred me playing the native sport in AFL. Souths United had been founded only around 15 years ago at the time and were still relatively new, with not a great deal of players. However, they did have an Under 12 team at the time and this was good enough for me. I joined the club at the age of 10.
At first I wanted to play up front or on the wing for Souths United, after watching my hero Johan Cruyff demolish Argentina two years ago in a similar display. However, I soon found out it was not quite as easy as it first seemed. Many of the other kids had already played for a few years and my technical disadvantage was easily seen early on. Despite wishing desperately for a place as a striker or on the wing in the first game of the season, I was named on the bench and came on only for a few minutes as a full-back. I wasn’t happy, but it was this game that made me more determined than anything and I managed to persuade my mother to buy me a soccer ball from the shops on the way home from the game. From then on I practised nonstop – juggling the ball, shooting at the gate in my backyard, and rewatching the one recorded match we had, between the Netherlands and Argentina. I trained with extra intensity at the training sessions that we had, and come the next game I eagerly awaited the coach to read out the lineup...
“Danny, you’re going to be keeping again today son, just do what you did last week, it was fantastic. Tom and Ricky, you guys are playing up front, Ryan and Ben you two are on the wings, David and Jon you guys are in centre midfield. Lucas and Bryce are starting as our centre mids, and Brett and Alexander are playing as fullbacks. Oh, yes and Jamie and Ray are playing in centre defence. On the bench there will be...”
Centre defence? I had trained so hard, worked relentlessly, practised all the tricks of my idol Johan Cruyff and had practised my shooting for hours and suddenly I was playing as a centre back? I couldn’t believe it – I was partially angry at my coach for putting me in defence, but also partially relieved I actually made a starting spot. I ran out together with my team for the first time, as a sense of excitement and awe overwhelmed me. I was going to be playing soccer! I followed Jamie, the other centre defender, as I didn’t really know where I was going. He pointed me my spot, and the match quickly commenced.
Needless to say, I started the match disastrously. I had no clue what I was doing, where I was supposed to run or who I was supposed to tackle. Twice I was caught out of position, up field, hoping to score a goal and our opposition were up 3-1 at half-time. Our coach wasn’t at all happy and let me know about it. He told me to get stuck in there, or else I was going to be benched for the entire next game... and suddenly something clicked in me. I was more determined than ever to put in a great performance, to show the world that I could play soccer, and that I could be a star too.
Immediately after half-time, the other team won the ball and launched an attack. Their quick striker was running at me, daring me to try something. He knew he was good, he had already scored twice, both partially due to my mistakes. He attempted to flick the ball around me but I was not going to let him score again. He attempted to dribble past me but I was having none of it and blocked his path and floored him with my shoulder. He collapsed like a sack on to the ground, while the opposition parents yelled and screamed at the referee. I won the ball and dribbled upfield, before laying on a beautiful pass to our striker who scored. It was 3-2, and everyone was furious at me. Except my coach, that is, who was yelling with delight. “Fantastic stuff Ray, wonderful! That’s how you do it!”
I was inspired, and motivated, and from there I had a blinder. I played far more aggressively, to the point where the other strikers thought twice before attempting to win a ball near me, and made some fantastic tackles – for a kid of my age. Two more of our goals resulted in my assists and we finished the match 5-3 winners, overcoming the deficit at half-time. Needless to say, our coach was chuffed. “Fantastic stuff boys, really well done. That was a great win, you really showed them up out there. Also, Ray, can you just come over here for a moment?”
I walked over to him, where he was beckoning, a little nervous at first. But, the coach broke into a wide grin and said “Where was that in the first half? You were amazing Ray, you really were. Why would you want to play on the wings and up front when you can defend like that? I think you are a natural defender. Fantastic game mate, go catch up with everyone else.”
I was delighted, and suddenly defending didn’t seem like such a bad option after all. Perhaps I was cut out for defending after all? As I got home, I re-watched the match between the Netherlands and Argentina, however this time I wasn’t focussing on Johan Cruyff or the attacking moves from the flashy strikers. Instead, I watched the defence keenly, watching the tackles, the blocks, the headers and the desperate saves. As I got further into the match, defending grew on me and suddenly I knew this was what I was meant to be.
Needless to say, I started every game in centre defence from there on and I continued playing through the junior years until I was offered a part-time contract at Souths United. It wasn’t much, only $5,000 a year, but I was delighted to finally be paid for playing a sport I loved. I was 19 at the time.
At the age of about 21, the realisation hit me that I was never going to be a world star, playing for Australia or in the English Premier League. However, I was enjoying my soccer immensely and as it turned out I accepted the fact that I was just a reasonable footballer. My career with Souths United was a long one, before I moved to Brisbane City at the age of 33. I was being paid only $3,000 a year now to play for City but I loved the club immediately. Everyone from the physio to the chairman was fantastic and I was welcomed with open arms. I played until the age of 39, still remaining as a loyal centre back, until finally a knee injury which required a reconstruction forced me to retire.
I had a fantastic knowledge of football by this time though, and following the departure of previous assistant manager Ben Drake, I was hired after I applied for the job. It was a benefit for the club, as all the players already knew me, as well as the staff, and I was a well-liked and respected figure. My pay even took a step up, as I worked on a part-time contract worth $5,250 per annum.
Then suddenly, on the 3rd of June, 2009, the long-term manager at the club Glen Thompson was diagnosed with liver cancer. It was terrible news for everyone at the club. Glen was like a father figure to some, and he was an extremely well-respected and friendly man who always had the time for anyone. He had taught me some wonderful advice over his time – not just in playing, but in coaching and managing as well, and it was a huge shock to me as I heard the news. After he was diagnosed with cancer, he agreed that he needed to spend some more time with his family and promptly resigned with a heavy heart from Brisbane City.
The job was now open and I applied for it. The City board needed no hesitation at all – I was a solid manager in my own right, and I knew every player and had experience as an assistant manager. I had a huge wealth of knowledge from my playing career and with the season not too far away from commencing they saw nobody else fit to take the job, and on the 8th of June, 2009, I was appointed as the Brisbane City manager. I was immediately shocked by the amount that I was offered - a staggering $67,000 per year, and the board would allow me to keep my current job. However, I wanted to dedicate myself entirely to football and $67,000 was more than enough to survive. I quit my job in web design and server maintenance and focussed fully on Brisbane City. This better pay off.
I already knew most of the players well, although one who excited me was 16 year old Leo Harding, a promising striker who looked like he had the potential to develop into an exciting player. However, our stocks in the goalkeeping department seemed to be lacking a bit. We had Tom Willis, a 25 year old who was reasonably competent, but I thought we needed someone who really had the potential to be a future star, and someone that could win points on his own through saving goals. I had no idea who that might be just yet, but I asked scout Tony Neill if he could kindly have a look for any potential goalkeepers for me.
Meanwhile, assistant manager Joe Prestipino, a new appointment from the board was understandably excited about finding a new club. He asked me if I wanted a friendly to be played between our firsts and our reserve team, just in case I wasn’t completely sure of a few players’ roles. He said that he could arrange it easily for tomorrow night in our home stadium, behind closed doors. This didn’t seem like a bad idea at all and I accepted the idea. So, my first match in charge was only going to be a scratch match – but I didn’t want to get off to a losing start. My career as a manager was just starting here. Do I have the potential to guide Brisbane City to promotion?
Ray Johnson
