Allan Maher

 

NSL Career: Marconi 158 (0) / 1977 - 1983

Socceroos Career: 22 (0) A Internationals / 18 (0) B Internationals

Known as "Spider", Allan Maher was one of the best Australian keepers of the 1970s and early 1980s. Part of Australia's first World Cup squad, Maher was a vastly experienced player when he began his NSL career and earned more Socceroos caps than any other keeper in the league up until his retirement.

Born in Sydney, Maher began his junior career with North Rocks before making the reserve grade at Inter Suburban Third Division side Western Suburbs at the age of 15. Following his time at Western Suburbs, Maher joined NSW Division Two side Granville. In 1972, Maher moved to Division One side Sutherland and became one of the most promising keepers in the country.

Maher's form for Sutherland, which saw him lose the 1974 Rothmans Medal on a countback, led to his inclusion in Australia's 1974 World Cup squad. Maher made his Socceroos debut in a B international against Swiss side St Gallen but was unable to earn a cap off keeper Jack Reilly during Australia's World Cup campaign.

Following the World Cup, Maher joined Marconi where he played for the club in the NSW Division One and made his full international debut in a friendly against USSR. Marconi joined the newly formed Phillips Soccer League in 1977 where Maher maintained his spot as their number one keeper. An ACL injury early in the season to Hakoah keeper Todd Clarke gave Maher an opportunity to hold down the goalkeeper position in the national team and he started in 10 of the Socceroos 16 A internationals during 1977. 

Maher's debut season in the PSL saw him keep a league high 12 clean sheets as Marconi finished runners-up to Hakoah and reached the NSL Cup Final, losing to Brisbane City in a penalty shoot-out. Maher continued to perform for Marconi during the 1978 season as his position as national team keeper was contested by Clarke, South Melbourne's Peter Laumets, Sydney Olympic's Gary Meier and West Adelaide's Martyn Crook.

Finishing another season with the most clean sheets in the league, Maher helped Marconi qualify for the inaugural Play-Off Series where they finished runners-up to Sydney City. Maher lost his spot in the Socceroos A side in 1979 to APIA's Greg Woodhouse but played in a B international against Polish club Wisła Kraków.

In another solid season in goals, Maher kept 10 clean sheets, equal second to Adelaide City's Peter Marshall, and didn't miss a game as Marconi became league champions for the first time. Keeping another 10 clean sheets during the 1980 season saw Maher become Woodhouse's biggest threat in the national team as the Marconi keeper played in four A internationals and three B internationals.

During the season, Maher missed just one game after starting in 96 consecutive regular season games since the start of the league and played in Marconi's PSL Cup Final win over Heidelberg following the club's early exit from the Play-Off Series. Marconi went through a form slump in the 1981 season, finishing third to last, however Maher managed to keep seven clean sheets during the season and played in four of Australia first five 1982 World Cup qualifying matches.

Maher contributed to Marconi's slightly improved 1982 season with another seven clean sheets but was unable to get back in to the national team fold with Crook occupying the position. Maher started the first four matches of the 1983 season for Marconi before being replaced by former Blacktown City keeper Bruce James.

After being ignored by national team selectors and failing to earn his spot in the Marconi starting eleven back from James, Maher hung up his boots the following season at the age of 34. Maher retired as Australia's second most capped keeper in A internationals (seventh all-time) and was inducted in to the Football Australia Hall of Fame in 2005.