By some form of miracle, soccer - the ‘World Game’ - is one of the most popular participation sports in Australia. Its popularity among children comes despite the sport being wracked with political infighting, nepotism, incompetence - maybe even corruption. The fact that Australia has only ever qualified for one world cup - the ‘Holy Grail’ of international soccer - causes much angst in the local soccer community. The roll call of people who’ve tried, and failed, to reform soccer is impressive; Neville Wran, Nick Greiner, David Hill and George Negus have all staked their reputations on sorting the sport out, and have left disillusioned.
Two years ago Prime Minister John Howard decided enough was enough and ordered an inquiry. He also sent out an SOS for Frank Lowy to return to the game. Frank Lowy, better known as the CEO and driving force behind the phenomenally successful Westfield Trust, was one of the founding fathers of the National Soccer League in the mid 1970s. The Howard Government gave him $15 million of public money to resurrect soccer in Australia. Lowy responded with a radical plan which shocked many.To appreciate the gravity of Lowy’s task, experienced ABC sports journalist, Ross Solly, takes the reader through the troubled history of the sport. The book gives a fascinating account of the intrigue, the infighting, the investigations and the inquiries. Many of the people involved are high profile and passionate about soccer, but find themselves unable to separate the sport from the politics. After extensive research into soccer’s tangled web, Solly has come to the view that Soccer in Australia has had its 90 minutes, it has struggled through extra time and now Lowy will oversee the make-or-break final penalty Shoot Out!
