Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Robbie Slater

Overseas Clubs:                                 

RSC Anderlecht (Belgium), Racing Club de Lens (France), Blackburn Rovers, West Ham, Southampton, Wolverhampton Wanderers (England)

NSL Clubs:                                         

St.George, Sydney Croatia, Blacktown City, Northern Spirit

Green & Gold Honors:                        

Socceroo appearances:  36                   Goals:  1

World Cup campaigns: 1989, 1993 & 1997

Other: Australian Olympic team - Seoul Olympics South Korea 1988

Golden Sombrero Moment No.1 – Oceania Footballer of the Decade (Second Place) 1988 – 1997. Oceania Footballer of the Year 1991 & 1993.

These awards also come with a lifetime’s supply of Pina Coladas and Banana chairs courtesy of the Oceania Football Confederation.

Golden Sombrero Moment No.2 – Being selected by Diego Maradona’s wife as the best player for Australia in the 1993 World Cup qualifying series against Argentina.

Happily Robbie assures us that he loves his wife and that he ‘swears to God’ nothing else happened.

Diegos Verdict:                                   

In his prime our Robbie proved himself to be one of the most dynamic midfielders this country has ever produced.

Play him as a marauding right-sided midfielder cum full back or as a central pivot, Slater could tear the heart out of any defense with his teeth and then spit it out into the crowd during his goal celebration.

Well maybe the Diegos are exaggerating a bit. Rumours are that Robbie faints at the sight of blood but this by no means devalues what he did for the Socceroos over the years - consistently producing wholehearted, passionate performances every time he pulled on the Green and Gold.

Nowadays Robbie likes to have his say as a media pundit with Fox Sports. Always forthright, honest and direct, the ‘Ginger Dynamo’ talks about the game in the same fashion that he played it; no beg your pardons and plenty of coat hangers. His double act with good friend Mark Bosnich a highlight of the Fox Sports coverage.

‘Slugger’ Slater congratulations you’re a Four Diegos legend amigo!

Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Robbie Slater

Slater on ‘The Hard Way’…

Diegos: "Congratulations on the new book 'The Hard Way".

The book has got everything. It’s a love story, it’s a drama, it’s a story of revenge; when you write about Frank Arok, and it’s almost a science fiction.

When you sat down and wrote the book did you enjoy recounting any one story above all others?"

Slater: “I don’t know if there is any one story that sticks out as being the best. The whole book was done over a year and a half, but I guess its better remembering the good times than the bad times.

Winning the premiership with Blackburn is one that comes to mind, as well as playing for the Socceroos, even though that also had its bad times too. There are just so many. Now when I look back at what I’ve achieved I just realize just how lucky I am.”

Diegos: " Manchester United boss, Sir Alex Ferguson caused a stir in his recent 'tell all' book describing members of his former coaching and playing staff as 'Prats', 'Moaners' and 'Backstabbers'.

You chose not to be so blunt in your book.

Did you feel the urge, at any stage, to divulge what you really thought about any of your adversaries in the past?"

Slater: "Absolutely! In fact I let loose in the first draft of the book only to see it edited by the publishers. I think that if the unedited version came out as the finished product, I could have found myself hiding on some small Spanish island. But I’ve just tried to tell it as it is and make sure that everything that has been written is true.

Nevertheless there is still a lot in the book that will raise a few eyebrows, perhaps even curl a few.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater on the Socceroo captaincy…

Diegos: “You did cause a flicker of controversy when you suggested that your Northern Spirit coach, Graham Arnold would've have been a better choice as Socceroo skipper than Alex Tobin, during the last World Cup campaign.

How have the pundits re-acted to that and will you steer clear of Alex when the Spirit next play the Force?"

Slater: "My intention was never to give Graham Arnold a pay rise. In fact it wasn’t only Graham I suggested for the role, there were several others as well. Alex has done a great job as captain; I just think that we need a higher profile player as our national captain; someone who is media friendly, who appeals to the younger generation and who has had a high profile career.

I travel around the country a fair bit and it’s disappointing that a lot of our young soccer enthusiasts don’t know who the Australian soccer captain is. I think that’s pretty poor!”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater and Maradona’s wife…

Diegos: “One of the Four Diegos favorite stories was when Diego Maradona's wife, Claudia, apparently asked for your Socceroo shirt after the home leg of the Australia v Argentina World Cup qualifier in 1993.

How did you feel about that and what's it like knowing that the great man's wife snuggles up in bed at night wearing your Number 7?"

Slater:  “That’s pretty frightening isn’t it! Have you ever seen Diego’s wife? When it first happened I thought the guys were playing a practical joke on me. But then this Argentinean guy was saying this is Diego's wife, Claudia and she wants your shirt.

I thought well who am I to say no to Maradona’s wife, so I gave her the shirt. In the end I was just grateful she didn’t ask for my shorts.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater and advice to Aussie players…

Diegos: " Your career took a number of twists and turns. In the early days overseas it seems that your form fluctuated directly with the state of your personal life.

What advice would you give to any player about to embark on a career overseas?"

Slater: “Well it’s not that hard to give advice today because there are so many Aussies playing soccer in Europe. The transition isn’t anywhere near as difficult. But one bit of advice I would give is to not have a girlfriend when you go over because it's guaranteed that she will always want to come back home to the sun and surf of Australia.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater on his clash with Frank Farina…

Diegos: "The Diegos have always believed you to be a 'lover not a fighter', a perception absolutely shattered by your book which recounts a number of training ground punch ups over the years.

How do you explain these unsavory incidents and in your spat with newly appointed Socceroo coach, Frank Farina during last season's finals, who won?"

Slater:  " Now that he’s the national coach I tell everybody that he won. Really there wasn’t much in that at all. Look I’m a red head and I’ve always called a spade a spade, that’s what you learn when you are playing overseas.

You’ve got to be thick skinned and learn to stand up for yourself because if you don't expect the ‘mickey’ to be taken out of you frequently.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater on the future of Aussie soccer…

Diegos: "You were pretty upbeat about the future of Aussie soccer in your book.

With a local coach leading the Socceroos and the unprecedented investment in the game by big corporations, do you think that Soccer Australia has finally found the right formula for success?"

Slater: "Everyone thought a big name coach would guarantee us a place in the World Cup, and it hasn’t happened. I think appointing Frank was a great decision, it’s about time one of our local boys was given a crack at leading our next World Cup campaign.

We should forget about the past and all get behind Frank Farina so when we do challenge for the next World Cup, we do it as a unified bunch.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater on joining Northern Spirit…

Diegos: "Last time we spoke, you indicated that you would like to finish your career in Australia. You were, at the time, experiencing fluctuating fortunes at Southampton, and then came the Wolves approach, that looked like putting paid to any chance of you playing in the Ericsson Cup at all.

What were the circumstances around your return to Australia? What convinced you in the end? Was it the chance to get a fair dinkum suntan for the first time in 10 years?"

Slater: "With my skin l never get a tan anyway. In that regard, l think l was better off in Europe. I moved from Southampton to Wolves and signed for two years and thought that l was going to finish my career overseas. But l didn't know at that stage that the Northern Spirit FC was going to be formed and coached by my best mate, Graham Arnold.

When that all came about, he gave me a call in England and asked me whether l wanted to join. I've never hidden the fact that l wanted to come back and finish my career in Australia, and with plans for the Northern Spirit to be full time and professional, it made it all the more attractive.

To be honest l didn't think Wolves in England, having just paid a transfer fee for me, were going to let me go. But l told them l was homesick and wanted to come back, ala Mark Viduka, and so that's how l got home. It's been good back home, but l won't lie to you, l miss not being over there. Football is part of everyone's everyday life overseas, but I’m happy to be back. Its very exciting being part of the Northern Spirit experience.

We're getting good crowds and it's been very pleasing."

Diegos: “Robbie, you’ve been appointed captain of Northern Spirit.

How would you describe the type of captain you are – when things are going bad, do you get the guys together and plead with them to do it for your mate Arnie or for Remo the chairman?"

Slater: "First l give them a blast, and impart a little of the bulldog spirit upon them, but l think it’s a bit of both. Obviously Remo and the other people involved at board level have made a huge effort putting their time and money into something when they didn't know how it was going to turn out.

Arnie's a mate, and when things aren't going well, you just want to help him out as much as you can. He is learning as well. He realizes that coaching is a step up to what he is used to.

At times it's very stressful for him, but it's all a learning curve. We have been a little lucky. We are sitting mid table but our 'goals for' record is pretty ordinary, so to be sitting were we are, is quite an achievement.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater on Crystal Palace’s investment in Northern Spirit …

Diegos: “UK club, Crystal Palace announced a significant, financial investment in the Northern Spirit just prior to the season starting.

What are the tangible benefits from the club's association with Palace?"

Slater: "Mate, we're getting paid every week. There's not much everyday talk about Palace. Apparently Palace owner, Mark Goldberg is due to visit the Spirit operations soon to check things over, but other than that they don't seem to have any obvious input into the everyday running of the club."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater on what he left behind…

Diegos: "You’ve stripped, bathed and been rubbed down in some of the highest profile change rooms in the world.

You’ve scrubbed the back of Alan Shearer in the shower, you’ve had deep and meaningful chats with Matt Le Tissier in your jockstrap, and you’ve copped abuse from Graham Souness, whilst wearing only your birthday suit.

You’ve only been in the country a short time – how does the Northern Spirit change room compare?"

Slater: "Well now that you put it that way, I miss it even more now. I think you've prompted me to book a flight straight back over there. Obviously it's very different.

I suppose it's only when you come back that you realize what you've left behind and the sort experiences that you have gone through with the type of players that you guys have mentioned. As far as the Spirit change rooms are concerned, it's really a good bunch of boys up here.

They all want to do well and are very professional. While there are no Alan Shearers and Matt Le Tissiers, you can only hope that some of the Spirit youngsters will develop into the Harry Kewell's of the future. They have a great opportunity in Australian soccer to make a mark because they are at a professional club.

I remember when l was growing up, it was the old evening training, so they have a lot more going for them than what l had when l was a kid. It's up to them to take advantage of all that."

Diegos: " Do you ever pinch yourself when you think about the fact that you played against players like Eric Cantona, Romario, Shearer, Bergkamp etc….?

Slater: “When l was a kid, l grew up like anyone else, kicking the ball around in the backyard, dreaming of big things. I used to watch 'Match of the Day' on the TV and my idols were players like Kenny Dalglish and Graham Souness. I've been very lucky.

You need a lot of luck in your career to get in the right place at the right time. It's funny, when l signed for Blackburn Rovers; my first game in England was the Charity Shield at Wembley.

I was sitting in the change rooms and l actually did pinch myself because I had watched so many FA Cup finals and so many great players had sat there in those rooms, that l could quite believe that this was all true."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater on disco-ing with Diego Maradona…

Diegos: “While you have played with all these great players, you've also experienced something that few have done; you've gone night clubbing with Diego Maradona.

How did that go? What does he dance to, what does he drink, was there anything there that the drug testing labs in Italy need to know about?

Slater: "Actually, l did notice that he did have a very bad sneeze on him that night. I didn't see him dance much. He had part of the nightclub cordoned off for him. After the Buenos Aires game he bought all the drinks for the Aussies, no wonder, they won didn't they.”

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater on Mark Viduka’s Celtic walkout in 1998…

Diegos: “What advice would you give to Mark Viduka?”

Slater: "He has really got to sort his head out. It's obviously a mental thing.

He's been under immense pressure and stress overseas, but one piece of advice is that soccer is his career, that's what he loves doing and he'll always regret it if he doesn't go back.

I can't imagine him quitting the game. Maybe he just wanted to get a bit of sun at Christmas time. You can't blame a bloke for that."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater on his budding TV career…

Diegos: “We saw you prior to one of the World cup games doing some work for SBS TV.

Although you are no Johnny Warren, l thought that you filled the roll of special comments admirably.

Any chance of getting a gig with Channel 7? Perhaps your own show? Maybe a guest stint on Home & Away? Maybe you, Alan Hunter, Nick Meredith and Andy Harper, with your closely cropped hair, can star in your own wrestling show?"

Slater: "I don't know what the ratings would be like. I'm actually not going to answer that. I've always said that I've only got a good head for radio."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1999

Slater in the aftermath of Iran 97…

Diegos: “The result of the Iran game at the MCG shattered the whole of Australia.

You as a player how low did you feel?”

Slater: “How about lower than a snake’s belly? It was a terrible feeling. It was a funny night; there were extreme highs and extreme lows.

Coming out on to the stadium, the crowd was absolutely magnificent. The whole place was full of colour and the atmosphere was something that I’ve never witnessed before. We got to 2-0 up and we were really on a high and probably thought that we had finally done it.

Not going to the World Cup is obviously a huge disappointment but the thing that I feel most dirty about is that I’m never going to experience that feeling at the final whistle that we had qualified.”

Diegos: “On that night the Diegos feel a little responsible for the final outcome because when the Socceroos were 2-0 we stupidly started singing ‘We’re all going to France, We’re all going to France’, obviously putting the ‘mozzie’ on you guys.

You lived the whole thing on the pitch. What was the turning point in the game?”

Slater: “The guy who came on and jumped on the net I think destroyed our momentum. We had just scored the second goal and we were absolutely flying at that stage. If that hadn’t of happened it would’ve changed the whole chain of events. Having said that we still played well after the incident and we all know that Iran’s first goal was offside. It just seems like luck wasn’t with us and it just wasn’t to be our destiny.”

Diegos: “One star of the future is Harry Kewell.

Have you yet gone up to him and told him that he reminds you of yourself when you were a kid?”

Slater: “He is definitely hot stuff. I think he can become the first Australian superstar. He has got bags of talent and he has got a head on his shoulders. You guys are right he does remind me of myself at that age when you don’t have a care in the world, you don’t seem to feel pressure and you just go out and enjoy the game.”

Soft Sombrero Moment January 1998

Slater on the Brazilians…

Diegos: “Your last appearance for Australia was in the Confederations Cup in 1997.

You were drawn to play Brazil a couple of times with varying results. A hard fought 0-0 draw in the group games followed by one almighty 6-0 shellacking in the final.

Is it true that that you went up Ronaldo and Romario and introduced yourself as the ‘Incredible Roberto’?”

Slater: “Now how did you guys find that out? As far as their ability, well I reckon they’re all ET’s, completely out of this world. They move their legs in ways that I never thought possible.”

Soft Sombrero Moment January 1998

Diegos: “What was ‘Bulldog – Mad Dog’ Slater’s most memorable Socceroo game?”

Slater: “The Sydney leg of the World Cup qualifiers against Argentina in 1993. 

It was a great night for me and it was against Maradona. That game would be closely followed by the Iran game at the MCG for the atmosphere and the absolute mixture of emotions.”

Soft Sombrero Moment January 1998