Gary Byrne

NSL Career: Marconi, Canberra City, Blacktown 202 (29) / 1977 - 1986

Socceroos Career: 36 (1) A Internationals / 23 (0) B Internationals

One of the most talented Australian midfielders of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Gary Byrne was the ultimate team player - putting in the hard yards in midfield for the benefit of his team mates. Composed, clever on the ball and equally effective defensively and offensively - Byrne was one of the architects of Marconi's early success in the NSL.

Born in Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, England - Byrne moved to Australia at the age of 12 and began his junior career with Camden Tigers in south-western Sydney. While representing Southern Districts, Byrne's coach Trevor Edwards took the Marconi third grade coaching job and brought the 16 year old midfielder with him.

Byrne made his first team debut the following season and was part of the side that won the 1972 NSW Division One. During the 1973 season, Byrne was loaned to Sutherland Shire before returning to Marconi where he became a regular. Byrne made his full international debut in a friendly against China in 1975, becoming a Socceroos regular in the process.

Part of the inaugural Marconi Phillips Soccer League squad in 1977, Byrne was part of a brilliant midfield with Socceroos star Jimmy Rooney, former Socceroo Ray Richards and Italian import Roberto Vieri, who joined the club on a short-term contract. Byrne helped the side finish runners-up in the league and played in their NSL Cup Final loss to Brisbane City. With Vieri joining the club on a permanent basis for the 1978 season, Marconi was able to supplement the absence of Byrne who made just 11 league appearances during an injury-interrupted season. 

Les Scheinflug replaced Rale Rašić as Marconi coach for the 1979 season and Byrne found career-best form as veterans Richards and Rooney moved on from the club and were replaced by midfielder/sweeper Tony Henderson. Along with Vieri and Henderson, Byrne orchestrated Marconi's record-breaking season as the side scored a league record 58 goals during the regular season, servicing the lightning fast attacking trio of Peter Sharne, Mark Jankovics and Eddie Krncevic - who scored a combined 41 league goals. 

Despite being one of the best midfielders in the country, Byrne disagreed with Socceroos boss Rudi Gutendorf's coaching methods and made just three appearances for the national team (one A international) in 1979. In the 1980 season, Byrne scored a career-best seven league goals and again turned provider to Marconi's talented attacking trio who scored a combined 37 league goals as Sydney Olympic star Peter Raskopoulos joined the Marconi midfield.

 Byrne played his last Socceroos match under Gutendorf in Australia's B international victory over Italian giants AC Milan. Byrne scored a penalty to open the scoring in Marconi's NSL Cup Final victory over Heidelberg before being named captain for the 1981 season. The experienced midfielder returned to the national team fold in 1981 when former Marconi coach Scheinflug replaced Gutendorf and scored in his Socceroos return in a World Cup qualifier against Taiwan.

Byrne missed Australia's last two qualifying matches against Indonesia and Taiwan, but became a regular under Scheinflug despite Marconi's disappointing 1981 season under Raúl Blanco. Canberra City signed the Socceroos midfielder for $20,000 for the 1982 season, where despite being a key player, Byrne was unable to help the side find consistency as they finished second-to-last.

After playing in 12 of the first 13 games of the 1983 season, Byrne missed the rest of the season through injury before moving to Blacktown for the 1984 season. Byrne helped Blacktown reach the Northern Conference Elimination Final in 1984 before two broken ribs saw the midfielder miss the start of the 1985 season. 

Upon recovering from the injury, Byrne injured his knee in a Youth League game, requiring a reconstruction, and missed the entire 1985 season. Byrne returned for the 1986 season before hanging up his boots at the age of 32. Byrne was inducted in to the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 2001.