Qantas Socceroo Harry Kewell has been named as the Greatest Ever Australian Footballer at a gala dinner in Sydney.
Qantas Socceroo Harry Kewell has been named as the Greatest Ever Australian Footballer at a gala dinner in Sydney.
As part of a function that aimed to raise money for the Johnny Warren Football Foundation, Kewell was awarded the honour following a long selection process that involved players, commentators and an online poll for fans.
The event also named Australia-s greatest players position by position, creating the greatest ever Australian team, made up of past and present Socceroos.
Current national team No.1 Mark Schwarzer was named Australia-s greatest goalkeeper, while Qantas Socceroos skipper Lucas Neill was named greatest rightback.
There were also a number of the 1974 Socceroos side, the first to qualify for the World Cup finals, in the team, but there were no members that represented the nation before 1947.
The defence was made of Neill, Joe Marston and Craig Moore in the centre, with Alan Davidson at leftback.
The midfield was comprised of Johnny Warren, Ned Zelic and Tim Cahill, with Ray Baartz, Kewell and Mark Viduka as the greatest ever strikers.
Kewell was unable to make the night, as he remains in the UK with his family, but he said the award was "an incredible honour".
"I'm humbled by the award and very grateful, especially given that the public have had such a say in the final result and the number of great footballers this country has produced over the years," Kewell said.
"To be named amongst such great players in the greatest ever Australian team, both past and current, is something I will never forget."
Lucas Neill took to Twitter, saying “Honoured to have been voted into a “great” Aussie team. Makes me very proud!”
More than 15,000 public votes were cast during the process, while a panel of current and former players, administrators and commentators also helped decide the winner.
Matildas captain Cheryl Salisbury was also deservedly named Australia's greatest female player.
The only arguably contentious decision was Dutchman Guus Hiddink, who guided the Qantas Socceroos to the knockout stage of 2006 World Cup in Germany, being named greatest coach ahead of the likes of Rale Rasic, who first took Australia to the finals in 1974.
Funds raised by the event were to benefit the Johnny Warren Football Foundation.
Greatest ever Australian team (4-3-3): Mark Schwarzer (gk), Lucas Neill, Joe Marston, Craig Moore, Alan Davidson, Johnny Warren, Ned Zelic, Tim Cahill, Ray Baartz, Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka.