James Masters
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
James William "Judy" Masters (May 21, 1892-December 2, 1955) was a football (soccer) player who captained the Socceroos (national team) in 1923-27. Masters was born and died in Balgownie, New South Wales. He was a famous centre-forward and was nicknamed "The Little Master".
Masters first captained his school team at the age of 12. He then joined Balgownie Rangers Soccer Club (the oldest surviving football club in Australia) in 1904, gaining selection for the senior side at the age of 15 in 1907 after being coached by Tom Thompson, and played alongsideDave Ward and Frank Smith. Masters went on to captain Balgownie Rangers, South Coast FC, and received representative honours with New South Wales (who he first played for in 1908 when 16, at inside-right), then Granville and Newton after enlisting at the Liverpool barracks before departing for service at Gallipoli and in France. He led an AIF team which was formed in France after the Armistice in 1918.
When he returned to Australia, Masters rejoined Balgownie in their triumphant, undefeated 1921 championship side, and played for Australia, eventually turning out 22 times for the national team in both "A" and "B" internationals. His first match for the national side coming in 1924 against a Chinese Universities team on August 8, when he scored four times. In total Masters played in 13 full internationals and scored 12 goals; first captaining the Socceroos in the game against Canada on June 23, 1924. He was captain of Australia in: five games against the Chinese Universities team in 1923, all five tests against Canada in 1924, and three games against FC Bohemians Praha of Czechoslovakia in 1927.
Masters was recognised as one of Australia's best players of his time. In over 400 club and representative games he was never cautioned. After hanging up his boots he became an executive officer for the South Coast Soccer Association.
[edit] External links
ozfootball.net "Socceroo International Games" Balgownie Rangers Soccer Club (home page)
