OAM Honour for Legendary Goalkeeper Ron Lord

Brian, who was coached by his Dad, commented although humble, Ron was proud of his achievements but never boasted. “He would have been very pleased (with his OAM),” Brian said.

“We are excited to learn that his services to soccer in Australia are being formally recognised. (He) achieved so much, (and was) one of soccer’s greats in Australia, as arguably the best soccer goalkeeper last century, (the) highlight being in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.”

“His story, from when he first started at 17, is quite remarkable,” Brian said. “Dad was self-taught from the start, without any specialist trainers, and to play for Australia four years later, is unheard of.

“It was continuous improvement all throughout his career, until his retirement. It is always interesting to analyse how someone becomes successful in sport. Dad was not an academic or intellectual man, yet he had a great analytical brain.

“Over his 17 years of playing soccer at a high level, his technique started from something relatively crude and untrained, to something that developed into something of mastery. Dad started with talent, but it was his dedication and discipline that got him to the pinnacle of his sport.

“Post retirement, his effort and satisfaction of passing on those skills to the young players across Sydney is noteworthy.”

Ron was a powerful, highly-mobile goalkeeper whose career rose meteorically since playing first grade football aged 17. By 21, he represented Australia.

“He was agile, had great strength, and big hands, and was very intimidating towards attacking opposition forwards,” Brian recalled. “His soccer career was legendary, through playing for the great Prague club team, NSW and Australia, plus 16 years coaching goalkeepers at the highest level, (and) coaching clinics across Sydney, giving back to the sport he loved.

“Ron carried through life the traits of humility, integrity and sincerity and sportsmanship, and for that he is fondly remembered in the football community.”

Ron was inducted into the Australian Soccer Hall of Fame and Hall of Champions in 1999. He played 399 NSW Senior First division games, including 339 first grade, 35 for NSW, and 15 for Australia.

In the late 80s, Brian got his Dad to do a coaching clinic at Winston Hills for his grandson, bringing back many memories for Ron and the family. “Given he was a fitter and turner, he made his own portable full-size goalposts and transported them to the clinics on his home-built trailer,” Brian recalled.

“Talented, persistent, perseverant, thorough, detailed, disciplined, methodical, singled-minded, competitive and continually striving to do his best at whatever he set his mind to.

“With the 2000 Olympics, it brought him a new lease of life, the many soccer reunions and rekindling of old and lasting friendships.”

Ron was also a fine golfer, playing off a handicap of nine at the age of 70.

Brian fondly recalled some quotes from his Dad:  “Perfect practice makes perfect and is the reason that all goalkeepers should concentrate on and develop the correct movements at training.

“Beside fitness and co-ordination etc, I believe there are four very important elements that a goalkeeper must have.  They are: Concentration, Anticipation, Determination and Awareness.”