50 years and still playing the wonderful game of football

Ray ‘Macca’ McMillan has achieved a milestone which few players can imagine let alone ever get near – 50 years playing football in the Granville Association.

Born in January 1956 Ray started playing as a 5 year old in 1961.

As a youngster he was a keen member of the St John’s Soccer Club (now known as Regents Park) where his love of the game was instilled into him by his two coaches Mr Keith Latham & Mr Grech.

In 1972 Ray transferred to the Auburn District Junior Football Club – because St Johns did not have a team in the u/16s. This was the start of a very long and successful career at Progress Park.

The most recent phase of his playing career Ray has enjoyed over a decade at Coleman Park with the Lidcombe Waratahs. Macca joined the Waratahs along with some of his long standing team-mates including Strop [Steve Trainer], Les [Les Myers], Zoppo [John Zopporella] and Woody [Mark Woodhouse]. The team is generally known as The Goats. This period has seen the transition from the ranks of the All Age or Senior Men’s competitions to the Over 35s and most recently the Over 45s.

Over many years ‘Macca’, the weekend warrior, has suffered numerous injuries as the wear and tear of 50 seasons has taken its toll. Strapping on the knee guard and the shoulder brace became a weekly ritual.

Yet even in the final round of the 2013 season, with the Goats afflicted with numerous injuries, Ray played the full match from the kick-off until full-time.

One of the things that really stick in the minds of all who have played football with him or against him has been his banter on the park.

It just never stops.

Generally his words are positive talk for his team-mates – although he has never been known to miss an opportunity to deliver a wind up for long term Goats.

Pity the striker who missed a penalty – he would never be allowed to forget it. Of course what goes around comes around and when an intended back pass from ‘Macca’ was misjudged and provided an easy goal for the opponents he had to cop plenty from his teammates.

Opponents too will remember the jibes over the mis-kick, the stumble or the foul throw. It pays to have a thick skin.

The patience of match officials has been tested on occasions – but Ray always seems to know just how far to go. And he always respects the authority of the “Black and White’.

However on one of his trips to the judiciary he was pleasantly surprised to find that the Coke machine at this unnamed venue stored cans of Tooheys new under a secret button in the Coke machine.

So when some of Macca’s team mates had to front the judiciary Macca would go along to the judiciary as a support person & use the secret beer button on the Coke machine.

Almost as reliable as the on-field banter is the half time talk.

Whether in the home dressing shed or on the sidelines Ray’s analysis of the game and the way to deal with the opposition is legendary. Always an optimist, there was never a hopeless half-time scoreline which could not be turned around in the second half.

But of course the point of every game of football really is to work up a good thirst. And the Goats have been known to be very thirsty – on the odd occasion.

The Goats tour de force however has become the end of season tour – generally to a special location on the South Coast. This is a unique opportunity for team bonding.

No animals are harmed during this annual ritual.

We live in a digital age of notebook computers, iPads, smartphones, broadband internet and the World Wide Web.

Most clubs and teams are entirely dependent on these modern forms of communication especially emails and SMSs.

Not ‘Macca’ the postman – he still thinks that the “wireless” is what they broadcast the races on. ‘Macca’ has been a punter for almost as long as he has been playing football in the Granville Association.