Graham Honeyman

NSL Career: West Adelaide 237 (36) / 1977 - 1986

Socceroos Career: 1 (0) B International

Graham Honeyman came to Australia as a 23 year old, having played Scottish league football since the age of 16 and became one of the best Scottish players to play in the NSL and a West Adelaide club legend during an erratic period for the club in the national competition. Strong and competitive with an eye for goal, Honeyman played in a number of roles where he was a strong passer, excellent at bringing team mates in to the game and was an aerial threat.

Playing his junior football at Fife club Ladybank, Honeyman signed for Scottish League Division Two side East Fife and made his first team debut at the age of 16. The following season, Honeyman helped the side finish second in the league and gain promotion to the First Division. 

The attacking midfielder remained a regular in the side as the club stayed in the First Division for three seasons before getting relegated back to the Second Division at the end of the 1973/74 season. Honeyman was part of the side that played in back-to-back Fife Cup Finals in 1975 and 1976 before moving to Australia where he joined Sydney Hakoah in the NSW Division One.

With the formation of the Phillips Soccer League in 1977, Honeyman signed for West Adelaide where he made 15 league appearances in his first season, but missed their NSL Cup run due to injury as they reached the semi-finals. After West coach John Margaritis left after round nine of the 1978 season, West's season seemed uncertain, however, Scottish coach Jim Adam took the reigns and Honeyman's ability to influence the midfield and attack helped the side finish top of the ladder and claim South Australia's first NSL title.

Following West's championship-winning season, Honeyman signed a short-term deal with Scottish Premier Division side Dundee United. Honeyman was impressive in his two appearances for Dundee but the club weren't prepared to meet West's proposed fee and the attacking midfielder returned to his parent club for the 1979 NSL season. 

West's form dropped during the 1979 and 1980 seasons as the club went through a number of managerial chances, with the side finishing second-to-last in the 1980 season. West hit rock bottom in the 1981 season, claiming the wooden spoon and averaged half the crowds that they attracted during their championship season.

Despite their lack of results in the league, West fought their way in to the NSL Cup Final - losing three-one to Brisbane Lions in an even contest where Honeyman was a constant threat. Newcastle KB coach Alan Vest came to West for the 1982 season and helped the side recover some form with Honeyman being the standout player - scoring 14 goals in 30 games.

The experienced Scotsman was a consistent performer for West despite the club falling back down the ladder in the 1983 and 1984 seasons. In the 1985 season, Honeyman played just 19 league matches as he claimed the NSL Player of the Year award, becoming the first (and only) West player to win the award - surprising many as West were one of the weakest teams in the Southern Conference. 

Honeyman's brilliant season earned him a Socceroos call-up, representing the national team in a B international against Red Star Belgrade. In his last NSL season, Honeyman was unable to help the club climb the ladder but was influential in West reaching the 1986 NSL Cup Final, where they lost three-two to Sydney City. 

At the end of the season, Honeyman hung up his boots at the age of 33, finishing his career as West's most successful player in the NSL - having won a NSL Championship, a NSL Player of the Year award, played in two NSL Cup Finals and was the club's all-time appearances holder. Honeyman's Adelaide-born son Ben followed in his father's footsteps and made a league appearance for Dundee United before having stints at Forfar Athletic, East Fife and Brechin City in the third and fourth tiers of Scottish league football.