50 days to go: Allan Maher’s FIFA World Cup story

As part of our countdown to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, we are profiling every Australian player who's been to a FIFA World Cup.

And today it’s the turn of one of the stars of Allan Maher, a fine goalkeeper in the 1974 squad, in the spotlight.

READ: FIFA World Cup: Countdown for the Caltex Socceroos

Cap number: 251

World Cups played at: 1974

Position: Goalkeeper

Age at World Cup: 24 (now aged 67)

Clubs played for:

Sutherland, Marconi

Best World Cup moment:

Maher was uncapped as a full Socceroos when he headed to the ’74 tournament and didn’t feature in any of the three group matches, with Jack Reilly preferred between the sticks.

He made his full international debut in 1975 against the USSR.

74

Career highlight:

As well as his exploits in the green and gold, Maher’s NSL career with Marconi was hugely successful, helping the club win the title in 1979.

He also took part in the 1978 and 1982 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns and toured Europe with Australia in 1980. During his distinguished career, Maher played 39 games for Australia, including 22 A internationals.

Post-playing career:

Unknown

Did you know?

Maher was awarded a medal of excellence at the FFA Hall of Fame induction in 2005.

*Photographs from the Les Shorrock, Laurie Schwab and Anton Cermak collections are used with permission from Deakin University Library, Eileen Shorrock and Mrs Jana Cermak.