Australian football statistician Andrew Howe: “I became obsessed with the game but the information was so hard to find”

Howe

As a result of years of meticulous research and diligent data-keeping, Andrew Howe has established himself as the go-to figure for statistical recordkeeping in Australian football.

Having displayed a natural inclination towards numbers from a young age, Howe was able to seamlessly merge his work as a demographer for the Australian Bureau of Statistics with his newfound love of Australian football once the game had endeared itself to him in the late 1980s National Soccer League era.

With the Socceroos celebrating the 100-year anniversary of their first-ever international against New Zealand in 1922, Howe has released an updated version of his book ‘Encyclopedia of Socceroos’ to lineup with the Socceroos’ historic fifth consecutive World Cup qualification.

This ‘Centenary Edition’ of the Encyclopedia documents just over 950 players, including an additional 325 ’non-A’ international players who represented the green and gold in games against international clubs and World XIs.

Sitting down with Soccerscene, Howe discusses his excitement for the release of the Centenary Edition, the links between eras of migration and the impact on the Socceroos, his natural fascination and love for football, and why Australia must embrace both the Indigenous population and newer generations of migrants arriving in the country.

You’ve obviously been privy to the changing landscape of Australia in your role as a demographer for the ABS and have subsequently seen how that has shaped the Socceroos. Where does your fascination for the link between multiculturalism and football stem from?

Andrew Howe: When I grew up in Sydney, in the Shire (good old Shire), I grew up on rugby league as the area is very much an Anglo-Saxon, monocultural area. At twenty-years-old I went to my first NSL game – this was 1988 – which was an Italian derby between APIA and Marconi at Lambert Park in inner Sydney. I went there with a group of mates for something to do on a Sunday and had no idea what I was in for at this packed little venue. There were about 5,000 people there.

APIA had a guest player Francesco Graziani who played for Italy at the 1982 World Cup, and there was just this atmosphere that I’d never experienced at any sporting event or event in general. I was infected by the atmosphere but also, I just wanted to know more about the teams; about these fans. I was used to being in a more monocultural environment and suddenly I’m around people of Italian origins supporting these sides that aren’t necessarily representing Leichardt or Fairfield, they’re more representing these Italian communities.

I just became obsessed with the game but the information was so hard to find, so in a sense, I just started a quest of collecting my own information about football in Australia. Originally the NSL but that verged onto the national teams; the clubs; the players; the stats.

Without a doubt much of your work has been self-motivated, what is the driving force behind you as a statistician?

Andrew Howe: On top of my interest on that multicultural side, is that I’ve always been a stats-y person. As long as I can remember I’ve been into numbers, as a kid (from the sporting side of things) at the end of each round of rugby league games I’d compile a little table on an exercise book as an updated premiership ladder. I don’t really know how to answer that apart from saying it’s an obsession that some people have with numbers, but basically what I did is blend in my data obsession with my sudden and sound love of the round ball code just over 30 years ago.

A statistician and numbers person like to quantify things. People explore their passions for things like football history in different ways by reading, collating, collecting photographs, and talking with historical figures – my bent is the numbers side so I’m really focused on quantifying that history. And we all like to think that football is multicultural, the Australian national team has a history of players coming from different countries and regions within Australia. My bend is to quantify that: how multicultural? How many different countries have Socceroos been born in? How many regional towns and capital cities have had players represent the Socceroos?

2022 obviously marks the Socceroos’ Centenary, hence the book. The Encyclopedia’s release marks this moment, but can you put into words just how important of a companion piece this book is for fans looking for this quantified version of the Socceroos’ history?

Andrew Howe: I guess I’m known as a statistician and a numbers person, and 90% of this book is words. So, it’s basically all 954 players who have played for the men’s team since the first game in 1922 that I have written a short biography for. Within the biography there’s still a handful of stats and then in the back part of the encyclopedia there’s dozens of pages of those stats that a lot of us like to look through in terms of the basic numbers for each player. But there are also tables which track where players have come from in terms of birthplaces. And also mapping out the players’ careers in terms of the clubs they were at in the period that they played for Australia, plus an analysis of how those clubs have changed over time.

It wasn’t until 1987 that an overseas-based player was selected to play for Australia. Historically, Sydney, Brisbane, and the coal mining areas based around those two cities – the Hunter, Illawarra, Ipswich – was where the bulk of player selections came from. Obviously, as more Australian players have moved overseas the balance has tipped to more overseas-based players being selected.

As someone who has been privy to many significant Socceroos moments in your life, which have been some of your favourites?

Andrew Howe: When you’re falling in love you remember those moments from the first few years. For me it’s getting over 30 years, so you’ve seen all of this before in a way, but I mean the penalty shootout victory over Peru – I never thought we’d see something like that again so that was just a magic moment. Obviously, the John Aloisi goal in 2005 is a magic moment as well, I was standing behind that goal amongst the green and gold fans going crazy that night.

1993 when Australia played Argentina in the final playoff game, we got really close. Obviously, Argentina is a massive name and made the final of the 1990 World Cup, and we were playing them for that final spot for USA ‘94. That was a great night, 1-1 draw at Sydney Football Stadium first leg.

My first game was Australia vs Hadjuk Split and that was an eye-opener not just because of the colour of the Croatian fans (there was a clear minority of supporters going for Australia). What was really interesting about that Hadjuk Split tour is that it took place as things were heating up in former Yugoslavia as it led up to Croatia declaring their independence. I remember the Hadjuk players lining up before the game with the Yugoslav red star symbol on their jerseys, turning to face the crowd and symbolically ripped their emblems off. It was such a fascinating moment and I really felt the passion. I knew those Croatians weren’t not going for Australia, they were going for Hadjuk, but I also know the Croatians have been the biggest supplier of Australian national team talent per ‘head’.

Having closely observed Australian football for substantial period of your life, what do you believe is essential for Australian football to get right over the next few years?

Andrew Howe: Just the old thing of taking advantage of that high participation and inclusive participation. We have a lot of people playing the game, a lot of kids playing the game, and it’s a lot more of a unisex game than the other football codes. Obviously the overseas born multicultural aspect of it, those recent migrant communities in particular that can be connected by football. And just building on that wholesomeness about our game and taking advantage of that more financially.

We are the most unisex of all the football codes but we still fall behind particularly in Indigenous participation and – thinking about those overseas migrant groups – for the past 20-30 years our major source countries have been China and India and we haven’t got much of an input into those communities. And also, in regional Australia, there are great growth areas here that the game can take advantage of.

How are you feeling about the release of this Centenary Edition of the Encyclopedia? Why do you feel this is an important milestone for you personally?

Andrew Howe: Being the 100-year anniversary it’s obviously a perfect time for such a historical overview of the men’s national team. This is the second edition following the first edition released four years ago in the lead-up to the 2018 World Cup. Now, what we had in that first edition was a biography for every ‘A’ international player, and there were around 600 of those at the time who had played for Australia in an ‘A’ international match.

For the Centenary Edition, I’ve not just updated the current and more recent players, but I’ve also added biographies for all 325 non ‘A’ international players. These are players who essentially played against club teams, and also some higher profile representative teams. For example, in 1999 Australia played a World Star team at the opening of Stadium Australia in Sydney, where the Australians played against a very prestigious international select but it wasn’t an official ‘A’ international.

So, what I’ve done now is capture all of the information from those non ‘A’ international games which were mostly played in the first few decades from the 1920s through to the 1950s. And the variety of players who have played for Australia in those games is just fascinating. Even in the early decades we had players born all over the world. Players born in Egypt, Guyana in northern South America, the United States, Switzerland, and so on. This international connection has been there from the start and it wasn’t just the United Kingdom in those first few decades. Getting those stories out and learning about some of these players, such as one who passed away in the Second World War aged just 23, and one who spent 10 years in Israel as a co-founder of the Israeli Air Force, is just fascinating and people will be able to read about them when the Encyclopedia of Socceroos Centenary is out.

The Encyclopedia of Socceroos Centenary Edition is available now, via Fair Play Publishing www.fairplaypublishing.com.au.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Australian Championship set to revolutionise domestic football

Football Australia has unveiled the “Australian Championship,” a groundbreaking new competition that promises to reshape the nation’s football landscape.

Officially launching in October 2025, the Championship will serve as a vital bridge between state-based competitions and the Isuzu UTE A-League Men’s system, bringing clubs, players, and communities closer together.

This announcement comes on the heels of the October confirmation of the National Second Tier (NST) format, marking a significant milestone in Australian football.

The Australian Championship will provide a national platform for clubs and players to showcase their talent while fostering stronger connections with fans and communities across the country.

Competition Format and Vision

The Australian Championship will feature 16 teams competing in a dynamic format designed to balance competitive integrity and fan engagement. The competition will include:

Group Stage: Four groups of four teams playing home-and-away fixtures.

Elimination Finals: The top two teams from each group advancing to knockout rounds.

Grand Final: The inaugural champion to be crowned in December 2025.

This structure highlights Football Australia’s ambition to create an inclusive, exciting, and commercially sustainable competition that celebrates the depth of Australian football talent.

Football Australia Chief Executive Officer James Johnson spoke on the importance of this announcement for the future of Australian football.

“The Australian Championship is much more than a competition – it’s a national celebration of football; uniting proud historic clubs, emerging talent, and inter-generational community connection. It reflects the core values of Australian football: authenticity, opportunity, and ambition,” Johnson said in the press release.

“This competition will complement the A-League, NPL, and Hahn Australia Cup, providing a connected, meaningful pathway for players and fans alike. Today’s brand launch is a statement of our commitment to grow domestic football in Australia and unlock its full potential.”

Founding Clubs and National Representation

The competition will include eight Foundation Clubs with storied histories, such as APIA Leichhardt FC (NSW), Avondale FC (VIC), Marconi Stallions FC (NSW), Preston Lions FC (VIC), South Melbourne FC (VIC), Sydney Olympic FC (NSW), Sydney United 58 FC (NSW), and Wollongong Wolves FC (NSW), representing some of the strongest footballing traditions in the country.

Joining them will be eight Member Federation clubs drawn from the National Premier Leagues (NPL) across all states and territories.

This model ensures representation from every corner of the national football community, giving grassroots and state-level clubs an opportunity to compete on a larger stage.

Core Pillars of the Australian Championship

The Australian Championship aims to unite Australian football under the following key values:

Authenticity: Honouring historic clubs, iconic venues, and long-standing rivalries.

Discovery: Showcasing emerging talent and rising stars from across the nation.

Connection: Strengthening ties between grassroots, state competitions, and professional pathways.

Pride and Belonging: Celebrating football’s ability to bring players, fans, and communities together.

A New Era for Australian Football

With its launch, the Australian Championship is set to redefine the country’s domestic football ecosystem, creating new opportunities for players, clubs, and fans. Football Australia’s initiative reflects a commitment to building a thriving national competition while staying true to the rich heritage and passion that underpin Australian football.

As October 2025 approaches, anticipation will only grow for what promises to be a transformative moment in the nation’s sporting history.

Tom Sermanni- Leading the Matildas in the Right Direction

In September 2024, former Matilda’s and journeyman coach, Tom Sermanni, was quietly going about his business coaching in the women’s program at Western Sydney Wanderers.

The last thing he expected was to receive an offer from the F.A. to become the interim manager for the Matildas.

However, Sermanni reflected on his previous stints with the Matildas from 1994-97 and 2005-12 with a great sense of pride and didn’t hesitate to accept the offer.

After five months in the job, Sermanni and assistant coach Jean-Paul de Marigny have methodically restored confidence in the squad after the disappointment of not qualifying for the quarter finals at the Paris Olympics.

It was certainly a far cry from Sermanni’s previous stints in 1994-97 when players weren’t paid and had to cover their own expenses and 2005-12 when contracts were introduced for the players.

Notably, Sermanni is aware of the strong brand the Matildas carry in Australian sport and every time they venture onto the pitch, there is a weight of expectation for them to perform.

In this interview with Roger Sleeman, Tom Sermanni discusses his progress with the Matildas since September 2024 and the general state of the women’s game in Australia.

ROGER SLEEMAN

What was your mindset when you were offered the job after your last stint with the Matildas in 2005-12?

TOM SERMANNI

Surprise was my first reaction as it came completely out of the blue

I’d actually reached the stage where I wasn’t searching for a career but winding down.

However, it was a compliment to be still considered for coaching at this level.

R.S.

How long did it take you to accept the offer?

T.S.

Only a few minutes because it was a no brainer after I contemplated what was involved.

Photo: Kyoko Kurihara – Football Australia

R.S.

Based on the Matilda’s performance at the Paris Olympics, what areas were you going to concentrate on?

T.S.

I was actually at the U.S.A. and Zambia games which was useful and I also knew a number of players in the squad.

Initially, I wanted to maintain stability because when a tournament doesn’t yield results, there are inquisitions and uncertainty.

Therefore, the lack of confidence had to be restored.

R.S.

What has been your main focus since you commenced the position?

T.S.

When we first assembled for the first match in Switzerland, I outlined the expectations for the team and myself.

I wanted to get back to the way Australian teams play on the front foot and to reassure the players there was a lot of ability in the squad , despite the disappointment of the Olympic’s result.

We needed to establish goals for the players to achieve and winning was critical.

Rebuilding belief, confidence and spirit was essential to achieving this outcome.

R.S.

What were your conclusions after the Switzerland and German clashes in October?

T.S.

There were signs of missing confidence and cohesion in the Swiss clash but against Germany it was a great 2-1 victory and defied our 15th ranking in the world standings.

R.S.

Against Brazil, how did you rate the team’s performance?

T.S.

Both games were probably the most brutally physical I’d ever witnessed in the women’s game.

Also ,the Brazilians were very direct and unfortunately in the first game in Sydney, the referee didn’t control the game well enough.

In the second game on the Gold Coast this was rectified somewhat .

Critically, the games were a great benchmark to assess our status with the top five teams in the world.

R.S.

Are we technically adept to match the top teams?

T.S.

If you look at Caitlin Foord, Steph Catley, Mary Fowler and Kyra- Cooney Cross, we have players who rate technically with the best.

Also, we have players spread across the best Leagues in the world.

Nevertheless, at the development level we need to advance players at a technical level, rather than implementing systems which restrict individual development.

Photo: Kyoko Kurihara – Football Australia

R.S.

Are the senior players performing to their best?

T.S.

I believe in the matches so far they have and are still our most consistent performers.

Don’t forget, despite the Paris Olympics failure, we did qualify for the semi finals of the previous Olympics and the 2023 World Cup.

R.S.

Is it time to blood young players in the squad, and what is your general opinion of the talent scouting process employed to unearth new players?

T.S.

If I’d come in as a new coach for the next campaign, rather than an interim coach, things may have been different.

I emphasise again my role is to instigate stability in an effective way and my successor in a permanent role will decide where the squad will go forward from there.

For me , the role is to plan for the present and the future so it’s a balancing act.

In the modern game it’s difficult because you don’t get enough time with the players who are mainly based overseas.

This is in contrast with my last stint with the Matildas when most of the players were home based so we had complete access to them for local camps .

Importantly, this allowed us to develop players within the team structure.

It’s getting harder to bring in new players because of the time limits you have to work with them.

Obviously, you’re continuing to strengthen your squad by bringing new players in but moving forward the new coach has to reassess the current squad and also be mindful of other players to be given an opportunity to see if they are better than the current players.

Naturally, there will be a turnover of the squad due to ageing of senior players so we have to provide a better way of bringing younger players through.

With the huge increase in playing numbers in women’s football , there should be a lot of new talent coming through the system to be considered for Matilda selection.

Unfortunately ,there hasn’t been an organised plan since the Institutes fell by the wayside and resources aren’t being committed to a cohesive system.

R.S.

How important is Mary Fowler to the squad?

T.S

She is critical because she has that X-factor and those qualities to become a superstar.

Some of the senior players are now at their peak in their late twenties and Mary in her early twenties has the world at her feet to become a world class player.

Along with Ellie Carpenter whose workrate and football awareness are phenomenal, it should be our aim to continue unearthing such talent in the W- League.

R.S.

What is your opinion of the W-League?

T.S.

Unfortunately, it’s not fully professional and it needs more resources to make it the best league it can be because at the moment it’s a development league for domestic players.

However, we need as many young players to be competing in the League and over time it would be ideal for overseas players to come back to the League to contribute to its progress.

However, the League is certainly a great place for supplying national youth team players.

Photo: Kyoko Kurihara – Football Australia

R.S.

Can you tell us more about the She Believes Cup, the Matildas are competing in the U.S. from February 19-27 against U.S.A., Japan and Colombia?

T.S.

It’s a proper, competitive tournament, not a series of friendlies so there is a great incentive to win.

We play the first game and then travel to two other cities to play so there’s limited time for preparation.

Clearly, it’s an important tournament to play serious opposition with different styles on show and for players to maintain their place or for new players to emerge.

R.S.

After your interim role ends, would you like to be still involved with the Matildas in some way?

T.S.

If there was a role for me which was suitable I certainly would take it because I’m really enjoying the current position.

Most Popular Topics

Editor Picks

Send this to a friend