The Encyclopedia of Socceroos

Released in the build up to the World Cup, Andrew Howe's Encyclopedia of Socceroos is a book of great importance. When commentators utter lines like "that's one for the record books" or "this will make the history books" the fact is in Australian football the record books and history books do not really exist. Luckily for us Howe is leading the way in attempting to redress this situation.

The premise is simple, a listing of small biographies of Socceroos that have played "A" internationals. It's not a book that you would read from cover to cover in order, more one you may pick through in stages. Some will head to the players they know first, or those from their club. Others may be inclined to read about the names they had never heard of first. The presentation is brilliant, which is a challenge in sections where there can be as much data as there is prose.

Ray Gatt does a great job in profiling our World Cup captains, adding depth to their stories in a manner their position deserves. Though these stories have been told before, there are a few new insights and the retrospective appraisal of their careers is right on the mark.

Again the data-laden appendices are presented in the brightest manner possible. It is here the trends of team composition are established in fact, not myth.

I appreciated little touches in acknowledging events that should be part of our football folklore, such as including the name of Bill Siavalas as the man who intervene to save Alan Davidson's life at Middle Park. Most of all I enjoyed reading more about the names I have read from the pre-WWII days in Melbourne but knew little about. George Bristow also going by the name of Tom clears some confusion. George Raitt being at Huddersfield Town. Jim Robison hailing from Northumberland (okay, should have figured that out given his first Melbourne club was Northumberland and Durham United). Aku Roth being in the fur trade. The use of Dockerty Cup Final appearances to illustrate Johnny Orr's significance (9 appearances in 14 years, 5 wins).

There are a few errors here and there, which is to be expected in such a large undertaking and given the lack of proper record-keeping and biographical histories kept by previous generations. Hopefully there will be future editions where these can be ironed out.

It's a book every Australian football fan should possess. The cover sums it up, the badge on the shirt. People should honour those that have worn it by reading and learning a bit about those who did so before their time. Our game does have a history, and we should be more proud of it.

It truly is a tome worthy of what it has set out to achieve. It's a book every football club should show their juniors and challenge them to be a part of future editions.