Origins of Soccer in Macarthur

According to the publicity video for the newest A League Franchise, Macarthur Bulls, soccer was first played in the Macarthur region in 1947 (see 1.50 in the video on this page https://www.a-league.com.au/news/Macarthur-FC-hyundai-a-league-club-confirms-name-colours-and-logo). Yet as the voiceover subsequently makes clear, 1947 was the formation date of the first Association in the region, the Southern Districts Association.

Goaded into action on twitter by ēļřāffő who challenged me to find earlier games, I went to Trove and set about doing just that. It didn't take me long to find at least half a dozen, the earliest of which goes back to 1923. Below are three examples of games I discovered in Camden, in 1944, 1943 and 1923. You should be able to click on the links and see the evidence for yourself.

1. SOCCER. CAMDEN AT GUILDFORD.

   Camden News (NSW : 1895 - 1954) Thursday 25 May 1944 p 6 Article

   Abstract: Camden Seniors and Juniors visited Guildford last Sunday, and were defeated in both matches, the seniors 4 to 2 and the Juniors 10 to nil. 280 words

   • Tagged as: soccer in macarthur 1944

   
   

   This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5,755.299)

2. Camden Soccer Club.

   Camden News (NSW : 1895 - 1954) Thursday 13 May 1943 p 3 Article

   Abstract: Some two hundred people witnessed Major Whitelaw open the Soccer season in Camden on Sunday afternoon last at Camden Showground 131 words

   • Tagged as: soccer in macarthur 1943

   
   

   This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5,738.27)

3. SOCCER FOOTBALL. GENERAL GOSSIP.

   The St George Call (Kogarah, NSW : 1904 - 1957) Friday 7 March 1924 p 4 Article

Below are two games I found in Picton:

1. Of Local Interest

   The Picton Post (NSW : 1907 - 1954) Wednesday 26 August 1931 p 2 Article

   Abstract: Picton M.U. Lodge announce a dance for Tuesday, 15th September Barnardo Home Boys defeated the Thirlmere public school boys in a 844 words

   • Tagged as: soccer in Picton 1931

   
   

   This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6,144.47)

2. FOOTBALL LOCH CUP LOST

   The Picton Post (NSW : 1907 - 1954) Wednesday 13 August 1930 p 2 Article

   Abstract: There Were more Mittagongites at the match here than Pictonions, and Mittagong Band (under Bandmaster Powell) made the job as easy as 168 words

   • Tagged as: soccer in Picton 1930

It could be objected that these are only junior/schoolboy games or that the evidence in some is more indicative than empirical. I'll accept that to some extent. But even given the 'weaknesses' of the evidence, the claim that soccer hadn't been played in Macarthur before 1947 is demolished. And this evidence took me less than 30 minutes to find and compile. Imagine how much more could be found with a more thorough investigation.

Paul Mavroudis and I run a show on Football Nation Radio called If You Know Your History. On it we argue through and tease out historical references and stories and we spend a lot of time unsimplifying Australian soccer history. We are by nature suspicious of blanket claims like the one made on Macarthur's behalf.

There are a number of problems with this particular claim: it's not correct for a start. But perhaps the major problem is that it obliterates the earlier years when soccerites struggled to introduce the game and build a culture. As we have seen across Australia, devotees of our game were widespread, often meeting external hostility and internal incompetence/difficulties in their efforts to get the game going. Their stories are often stories of failure, sometimes half-arsed achievements and every now and then outstanding successes. We need to reveal all of these stories.

There is a mentality in Australian soccer that celebrates the organisation and administration of the game above the actual playing of it. I think this is what's happening here. Can we urge Macarthur to revisit this bit of history and celebrate the efforts of those who came before the first Association in 1947?