It was his former Heidelberg and Socceroo team-mate, Charlie Yankos, who commended Jeff Olver as one of the most dedicated and goal driven performers he ever played with.
Olver’s approach to training and playing were a great example to all teams he played with. His long career with Heidelberg and the 37 Full A Socceroo appearances alongside 17 B appearances he made were all an expression of striving to be the best.
This attitude towards total professionalism has enabled Olver to create a career in football coaching which has stood the test of time.
Jeff Olver just doesn’t think about football, he lives, eats and breathes it.
In this interview with Roger Sleeman, Olver discusses his playing career at club level and with the Socceroos, his thoughts about the local game and his current involvement.
ROGER SLEEMAN
When were you first introduced to football, and who were your early influences?
JEFF OLVER
At the age of nine, I was playing football in the winter and cricket in the summer.
I was originally an outfield player at Sunshine Heights F.C. who also produced John Markovski and Lawrence Kindtner.
I was also a wicketkeeper in cricket and though I always wanted to be a goalkeeper, nobody would play me there.
However, when I was in the u/14’s at Sunshine Heights , the u/15’s were looking for a goalkeeper so I decided to play up an age group to begin my journey between the goalposts.
At the time, I would watch Match of the Day every Monday night and was inspired by the great custodians, Shilton, Clemence and Jennings.
My father was also a great influence with goals set up in the backyard and I saved many a penalty as we witnessed the grass turning into dirt.
R.S.
When was it apparent you possessed the ability to play at a professional level?
J.O.
I received my first opportunity just before I turned sixteen to play with Albion Rovers in the old Victorian State League and also gained selection in the Victorian u/16’s and u/18’s.
When you’re playing representative football you get the necessary exposure so it was no surprise when John Dimtsis, the Heidelberg official, encouraged me to sign with the club in 1979.
Nevertheless, I sat most of that season on the bench as Yakka Banovic, the Socceroo keeper, was purchased from Adelaide City.
R.S.
What made the Heidelberg club so great?
J.O.
There was always an array of star talent and in the 1980 season we boasted seasoned pros like Pat Bannon, Arthur McMillan and established Socceroos, Gary Cole, Jamie Paton, Jimmy Rooney, John Yzendoorn, Jim Campbell and Jim Tansey.
It was a great learning curve playing at the club and the derby games with South Melbourne would draw 20,000-25,000, while for an average match there would be 8-10,000.
R.S.
How hard was the progression from NSL football to the Socceroos?
J.O.
Sometimes you need some luck and in 1984 when there were an A and B team selected in an international tournament, Peter Laumets got injured in the B team and I was called up by the ASF.
I was fortunate to play in two games against China and after performing well, I was elevated from number 5 to number 2.
Also, I was fully prepared to make the transition to international football due to the large influence of former Socceroo keeper, Jack Reilly, who assisted me greatly in the two years he was there.
So when Terry Greedy was injured, and I played my first full international against Israel in a World Cup qualifier of 1985, my technical and mental preparation was perfect.
R.S.
You often speak about Frank Arok.
How did you compare him to other coaches?
J.O.
If Frank believed you could do a job he built trust in you and you didn’t have to be a superstar.
He would give players 3-4 games and if they didn’t prove themselves, he would call up new players.
When we were in Australia, we were like a club team and could match it with the best.
Frank was considered a bit crazy but he was very smart and his belief in the national team was infectious.
Unlike some coaches he often took risks to produce results.
R.S.
In 1985 we had a big opportunity to qualify for the 1986 World Cup Finals if we only had the services of Marshall Soper, Tony Dorigo and Craig Johnston.
What are your thoughts?
J.O.
Certainly, Soper was an exceptional player, Dorigo was presumably pressured by Aston Villa to stay in the U.K. and it was disappointing Craig Johnston was part of the ABC commentary team for the first match against Scotland at Hampden Park.
If we had Craig Johnston in the squad, it could’ve been the difference between qualifying and not.
R.S.
What was your opinion of Arok’s Mad Dogs?
J.O.
Steve O’Connor, David Ratcliffe and Charlie Yankos were the heart of our defence and Kenny Murphy was the lieutenant in the midfield.
They were all solid players who would give their all for the cause and the media would get behind us. Consequently, we believed we could beat anyone.
R.S.
You played in the historic 4-1 Gold Cup victory against Argentina in 1988.
What did this triumph mean to you?
J.O.
It was one of those nights when everything fell into place and the fact that seven of the Argentine players progressed to the 1990 World Cup winning squad proved how significant the victory was.
After the game, a few thousand supporters paraded outside the Camperdown motel to celebrate .
It was great preparation for the Seoul Olympics and people are still talking about it, including Martin Tyler who called the match that night.
R.S.
You are one of the fortunate ex pros who has carved out a career in the game.
How did you manage that, and why can’t more opportunities be found for former players after they end their playing days?
J.O.
I was fortunate to get a development officer job at the FFV after I stopped playing, coached some state youth teams and also did some coaching education under the former Victorian Director of Coaching, Tim White.
When Carlton entered the NSL as a full time professional club, I became assistant and goalkeeper coach and worked with young players Vinny Lia, Massimo Murdocca and Josh Kennedy.
Also, Vince Grella, Marco Bresciano, Simon Colosimo and John Markovski were in the squad.
Unfortunately, as the work dried up towards the end of the N.S.L. , I became employed in real estate for nine years and it was also the case that a lot of people from the NSL were moved on due to changes in accreditation requirements.
However, I was still coaching part time and in 2011, I formed my business, Football Zone Coaching, and have held positions with Melbourne City and also at Heidelberg where I’m currently working.
There is no simple answer to the lack of opportunity offered to past players.
Apart from Ernie Merrick and Gary Cole, nobody at the F.A knows me and they only recognise the Golden Generation and those players who followed that era.
R.S.
What is your opinion of the current stock of Australian keepers?
J.O.
There is a real shortage at every level as the emphasis is away from producing them.
There are some good young keepers playing but too many are on the bench which really restricts their development.
A-League clubs shouldn’t be importing keepers in their 30’s but providing opportunities for the progress of young keepers.
In the Socceroo ranks, a fit Mat Ryan will beat Mark Schwarzer’s record caps but I do like Joe Gauci and Tommy Glover.
R.S.
What is your view of the current state of Australian football?
J.O.
There needs to be more teams and more opportunities for young players.
Hats off to Carl Veart and Nick Montgomery for giving youth a chance and the young players certainly haven’t let their coaches down.
Graham Arnold has been preaching in the the last few years for clubs to play their youth, rather than the imported players.
However, clubs like Melbourne City, Melbourne Victory and Western Sydney Wanderers will continue to scour overseas Leagues for players simply because they have the financial resources.
At the moment very few of the Socceroo squad are playing in top leagues, unlike in my time, when our best players were highly recognised in Europe.
On a positive note, most of the Matildas play overseas which has created a great opportunity for young local players in the W-League.
My one question is; how many of the coach educators have stood on the side line as coaches directing the fortunes of senior football?
This is an area which former players should be involved because they’ve been there and done it and they should be engaged to provide expertise in the cause of elevating the standard of the game.
