Jimmy Mackay

Jimmy MacKay played 1st division in Scotland for Airdie.

Arriving in Australia in 1965 on a working holiday, he joined Melbourne Croatia and helped the club win numerous honours.

In 1972 he moved north to Sydney’s Hakoah and in 1975 returned south to South Melbourne Hellas.

Selected for Victoria on more than 25 occasions, he began his national duty in 1970 and ultimately appeared 52 times for Australia til 1975, including at the 1974 World Cup.

He was a midfielder who read the game brilliantly. Partnered in the national team with Jimmy Rooney, Mackay dictated games with passing that brought all others into play.

A highly effective defender with a calm demeanour, he also had the knack of scoring goals in big matches.

None were as vital as his 28 metre drive against South Korea in 1973 which sent Australia to its first World Cup. It charged the nation.

The proverbial “players’ player”, he retired in 1977. A comeback in 1979 was short-lived.

Tragically, he died in December 1998 aged 54.