Robert Fryer

Welcome to episode 71 of the Football United vs Soccer City podcast, proudly brought to you by H. Parsons Funeral Directors, an Australian family owned and operated funeral director, serving the Illawarra since 1893. 

Firstly I would like to sincerely thank all of the interviewees, listeners and the football community of the Illawarra, Australia and elsewhere around the World who download this podcast. Additionally I would like to say thank you to the tremendous people who contribute, comment and reminisce on the social media pages.

Robert Fryer is our interviewee in episode 71. Born in 1954, Robert’s first memories of football are at primary school with Worthington Road. From this point forward Robert progressed into representative teams with the Altrincham Sale Schools team and Cheshire County, which ultimately lead to a series of trials with professional football clubs in the United Kingdom and his signing with Birmingham City Football Club.

After finishing with Birmingham City Robert had a meeting with South Coast United’s former star Jim Kelly in the UK and after agreeing to terms to play with South Coast United so began Robert’s journey into Australian Football in 1972. For the next three decades Robert as a player, coach and administrator was a part of many clubs and many special moments in Illawarra and in Australian football.

Robert has experienced the full set of emotions in his football life and at the heart of it all he is grateful and respectful of the game. He is competitive and disciplined but more importantly understands the connection that clubs have to their communities and the friendships that are developed at clubs.  

I enjoyed immensely recording and listening to Robert’s time in the game as he has had a wide array of experiences. I have sincere appreciation and thanks for the time Robert allowed me to be in his home recording and the effort he gave in helping me flesh out his football timeline. Please enjoy episode 71!