GDSFA to Honour Socceroo Cap No.5

Later this month the Socceroos will celebrate the Centenary of their first ever international match which was played against New Zealand in Dunedin.

Playing in that first match was William “Billy” Dane, a local Granville lad who has the distinction of being Socceroo cap Number 5.

This Grand Final weekend the Granville Association will honour this wonderful achievement by awarding the Player of the Match of every one of their competition Grand Finals, the specially crafted Billy Dane Medal.

Granville Association historian Noel Dona says, “It is very fitting that we immortalise our Socceroo pioneer as it will be a reminder to every player and especially every winner of his medal, that they walk in the footsteps of a local champion.

“Billy was born and raised in Blaxcell Street and lived all his life in Granville”, said Dona “As a teenager he played for the Association club, Holroyd United, and in 1914 won our Challenge Shield, Australia’s oldest soccer silverware.”

The following year the baby faced, fleet footed right winger caught the attention of the all conquering Granville Magpies and was invited to join the team where they enjoyed immediate State League success winning the Championship.

Then as with many of his teammates, he joined the war effort in 1916 and fought in Europe. Upon his return, he continued playing for the Magpies and would soon make a name for himself taking Granville to the 1920 and 1921 Gardiner Cup Grand Final and then winning it in 1922.

When the Socceroo tour of New Zealand was then announced, he was soon selected and played in the first and third Test Matches – only injury prevented him from playing in the second Test Match.