Steve Perry

NSL Career: Western Suburbs, Brisbane City 196 (3) / 1977 - 1986

Socceroos Career: 13 (0) A Internationals / 12 (0) B Internationals

One of the most consistent Australian full-backs of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Steve Perry was a diminutive and hardworking defender who consistently made overlapping runs and was one of the best crossers of his era. Perry was one of the few players to represent the Socceroos whilst representing a Queensland side in the NSL.

Perry began his junior career at Cronulla RSL before joining Sutherland where he made his first team debut at the age of 15 in the NSW Division Three. Sutherland gained promotion to Division Two when Perry became a regular in the side. Perry helped the side win promotion to Division One a year later before joining Western Suburbs for the 1974 season.

Over the next three seasons, Perry had stints at Western Suburbs and Sutherland before being part of Western's inaugural Phillips Soccer League team. Perry played in every game of the 1977 season, continuing his consistent form from state league football before moving to Brisbane City the following season for a $6,000 transfer fee. During the 1978 season, Perry made his full international debut in a friendly against Greece before being part of City's NSL Cup-winning team, playing in all five cup matches for the club including the final against Adelaide City. 

Following the 1978 season, Perry became a Socceroos regular and continued to perform for City, helping them qualify for the Play-Off Series where they lost the two-legged grand final to Sydney City. Perry retained his spot in the national team during 1980 despite a disappointing season by City before helping the side achieve their highest finish (third) in the 1981 season.

After making his last Socceroos appearance in 1981, Perry remained a consistent member of the City side until an injury-interrupted 1984 season saw him leave the club to join Queensland Intermediate League side Redlands United. The former Socceroo returned to City for the 1986 season where he made just 13 league appearances as City were relegated at the end of the season before retiring from the NSL at the age of 32 and returned to Redlands to coach in the Brisbane Premier League.