For the past eight years, Marshall Soper has played football on a fulltime basis almost twelve months of the year in the NSW Super League, N.S.L. and Malaysian National League. The journeyman of Australian football is now back in Sydney taking a well earned rest despite interest shown by Wollongong and Canberra to utilise his services in the current Ericsson Cup campaign.
In this interview with Marshall Soper, we explore the mind of one of the legends of our game and hear his thoughts about the current state of Australian football.

R.S. How does it feel being back in Australia and not playing in the Ericsson Cup?

M.S. Naturally, I would like to be playing in the N.S.L. but unfortunately I couldn't come to terms with the interested clubs. To be honest I'm enjoying the break from football after all these years.

R.S. Will you be going back to Malaysia next season?

M.S. At this stage it's highly unlikely because I'm really a bit tired of being away from home on a continual basis. The rewards are very worthwhile in Malaysia - you earn good money and the living conditions are first class. Last season at Perak, the coach was none other than Ken Shellito, the former Chelsea and England defender and his influence was one of the main reasons I was inspired to score 18 goals. However there comes a time in your career when you have to slow down a bit and take stock of your life. At this stage I'm almost certain to be wearing the colours of Bonnyrigg in Super League this coming winter.

R.S. How did you react to the sacking of your old club Parramatta from the N.S.L.?

M.S. Well the truth is I wasn't impressed with what happened to the three clubs who were sacked. I remember talking to David Miller and Joe Caleta in Malaysia and we all agreed the way the League was reduced was very disturbing. Some of the reasons given were less than satisfactory and when you consider the history of the clubs, this spur of the moment treatment without consultation was diabolical. Caleta for one said he would never play in Australia again following the events of last year.
The fact is the officials of the sacked clubs have been in the game a lot longer than David Hill and others. It became a conflict between Hill and the officials of the clubs and as Hill dug his heels in it wouldn't have mattered what resources they had. The game is really bigger than individuals.

R.S. What do you think of the standard of the Ericsson Cup this season?

M.S. With the player drain, clubs are relying on youth and in some cases seven or eight players are being drafted into a first team. The problem is that some of these players are no better than State League standard and consequently the standard of the League is affected. It would appear that some clubs like Wollongong, Newcastle and Canberra are guaranteed longevity so they can employ a youth policy without fear of being relegated.
I'm not opposed to encouraging youth but you're much better off if you produce one or two quality players each season instead of bringing in youth just to save money.

R.S. You must be disappointed in the performance of your home town team, Newcastle Breakers. Where have they gone wrong?

M.S. People pay money to see good players, personalities and most of all they want entertainment. Once again there are a number of younger players in the team who just weren't ready for first team football. The club needed some experienced quality players like Paul Wade and Ian Gray to have any chance. The truth is it's not going to get better unless some policies are changed at the club.

R.S. You first played in the N.S.L. in 1981. How much longer can you maintain your enthusiasm for professional football?

M.S. I still love the game and enjoy training. I reckon I can still play for a few more years.

R.S. What about coaching and do you have a philosophy on the toughest job in football?

M.S. I have visions of coaching in the N.S.L. and in my favour I've been involved with a lot of coaches over the years. I've also examined closely why some have succeeded and others have failed. It's all about being able to combine the tasks of managing and coaching. If you can create the right climate for players it's much easier to concentrate on the tactical and technical aspects of the game. However, it's difficult to achieve this in the best of situations.

R.S. As you approach the twilight of your career, do you still realise some people will never forget your genius on the park and others won't forgive you for not fulfillling your real potential to become Australia's greatest player?

M.S. I suppose there are certain regrets but in the early days I was young and rash and I don't believe the environment around me was stable. At 22 years of age, I was captain of Sydney Olympic and in the national team. Perhaps a personal manager might have been a solution at the time.

R.S. When are you going to tell the Marshall Soper story?

M.S. Well, I'm thinking about it and if I do I'll tell the whole story. There's a certain journalist I have in mind to write it but at this stage I won't reveal his name.