Harry Williams Indigenous Pioneer T-shirt

In 1970, after just his sixth game of senior soccer, Harry Williams received the startling news to get himself on a plane for a world tour with the Australian men's national soccer team. Williams was to become Australia's premier Indigenous player, and his journey would eventually lead him to be part of the first Australian national team to make the FIFA World Cup finals four years later.

Williams was a lightning-fast fullback, known for his electrifying overlapping runs and his superb technique on the ball. As an Indigenous kid, growing up in the rugby league heartland of Sydney's 1960s boom team St George, Williams should have ended up playing league. Instead, Williams' best mate played soccer and one day he joined him at training. Well, the rest is history.

The Indigenous-Australian was an unused substitute for the opening two games of the 1974 World Cup but got a taste of the action in the final group stage match against Chile. He came on for the last 11 minutes, replacing Col Curran, as 10-man Australia held on for a well-deserved nil-all draw.

It was the first point ever gained by an Australian team at a World Cup.

In 1989, after a long and distinguished career with St George Budapest in the New South Wales First Division, and Canberra City and Inter Monaro in the National Soccer League, Williams retired. His best period being from 1970 to 1977 with the Saints.

The Harry Williams Cup, named in his honour, brings Indigenous youngsters from around NSW together for a tournament from which a state Indigenous team is selected. Williams continues to be a leader in Indigenous affairs, on and off the field.

This design pays tribute to an Indigenous pioneer.

• Unisex, regular fit 
• Crew neck 
• Mid-weight, 180 GSM
• 100% combed cotton
• Neck ribbing, side seamed, shoulder to shoulder tape, double needle hems, preshrunk to minimise shrinkage

Body width/length (cm)

Please refer to Size Chart

Measure a shirt you own 1cm below sleeve joint from side seam to side seam (no refund or replacement for incorrect size choice)

Images sample only