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Post by baulkokid on Jul 31, 2017 15:04:14 GMT 10
RIP Les Murray a great loss to the beautiful game
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Post by macduff on Jul 31, 2017 15:26:19 GMT 10
I reckon we should wear black armbands this weekend association wide as a mark of respect to what he put into the game.
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Post by Guest on Jul 31, 2017 15:55:08 GMT 10
He was Mr Football. A true legend.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2017 16:28:12 GMT 10
Football commentator Les Murray will be given a State Funeral following an announcement from NSW Premier Gladys Berejikilian.
The 71-year-old iconic announcer passed away yesterday following a battle with illness.
SBS Managing Director, Michael Ebeid, said: “We’ve seen an incredible outpouring of grief from the football world and beyond since Monday, with tributes flooding in for the man who will be remembered as a much loved sporting personality, broadcasting icon, partner, father, grandfather, colleague and mentor - and above all, an inspiring Australian story.
“You’d be hard pressed to find someone more passionate about football, and a stronger advocate for the role of the game in bringing people together.
“Les was not only an instrumental figure in the popularity and success of football in Australia and making the world game a part of our culture today, but throughout his life he was also a dedicated advocate for refugees and a champion of multiculturalism, someone who truly embodied what SBS represents.
“It’s entirely fitting that his life and lasting legacy will be marked in this way, recognising his incredible contributions to the game and country that he loved.”
Murray - known as Mr Football for his advocacy of the sport - became the face of soccer coverage at SBS during a lengthy career at the multicultural broadcaster.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2017 13:46:07 GMT 10
At his state funeral on Monday, the many sides of iconic broadcaster Les Murray were remembered and celebrated.
He was a silver-tongued broadcaster with a voice like 'honey and gravel in a drum'.
A passionate believer.
A family man, devoted partner and loving father.
More than 1000 family, friends and fans of Murray, who died aged 71 last month, gathered at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney to say goodbye to the soccer icon.
If proof of his unique and enduring appeal was needed, it came with overflow seats being required outside the cathedral for the hundreds of mourners who couldn't fit inside.
They were told of Murray's zest for life, his love of a 'vino relaxo' and - of course - the world game.
After leaving Hungary as a boy for Australia, Murray rose to become the face of Australian soccer as a broadcaster at multicultural network SBS.
Speaking on behalf of Murray's family - partner Maria and daughters Tania and Natalie - SBS sport director Ken Shipp said Murray was transformational.
"The very fact that when you think about football in Australia, you immediately think of Les and SBS, is an astounding testament to his life and to his life's work," he said.
"Les is a man that left his mark ... this is no exaggeration: he changed the nation."
In a recorded tribute, Tania Murray said Murray gifted her a necklace in the shape of an L on her 18th birthday.
"At first I thought it was a little vain ... but he went on to explain he wanted me to live by the same things he did - learning, loyalty and laughter," she said.
Monsignor Tony Docherty, delivering the homily, said Murray was an exceptional man who engaged with the biggest questions.
"The question that throbs through our history that is like some deep pulse coming from the very heart of our country is simply this: 'What does it mean to be Australian?'," Docherty said.
"Les understood that question keenly. He sought to bring us together with his voice, his language, his imagery and of course his passion and love for the world game."
New South Wales premier Gladys Berejiklian and governor David Hurley attended along with a who's who of Australian soccer.
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, Matildas boss Alen Stajcic and FFA supremo Steven Lowy helped fill the gargantuan space, along with many former national team players.
Speaking on behalf of the soccer community, fellow broadcaster Craig Foster said the sport should use Murray's death as a energising moment.
"This final farewell is a call to arms to the football community. A moment we must reinforce the dream ... to win the ultimate prize - the FIFA World Cup, male and female," he said.
The Australian and state flags are flying at half-mast across NSW in tribute to Murray, who died on July 31, aged 71, after a battle with illness.
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