Peter Wilson (Australian footballer)

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For the Australian rules football player, see Peter Wilson (Australian rules footballer).

Frederick Peter Wilson (born September 15, 1947 in Felling, England)^[1] is a former football (soccer) player. He was the captain of the Australian 1974 World Cup squad in West Germany. His nickname is Big Willie and his position was sweeper.

Often regarded as one of the toughest defenders in the modern era, Wilson was a dominating figure in the Australian team in the decade from 1970. Born in England in 1947, Wilson migrated to Australia in 1969 to join South Coast United after failing to break into the first team for English club Middlesbrough. He started his career as full back but injury to another player switched him to sweeper where he had his biggest success. Between 1970-79, he made a then record 116 appearances for the national team, and captained Australian from 1971, including the 1974 World Cup Finals. When he signed with Sydney club Western Suburbs, Wilson travelled 257 kilometres four times a week for training. He also played with Marconi and Apia Leichardt and in later years coached South Coast and Apia.

Peter Wilson is now living in recluse near Wollongong in New South Wales.

1 Clubs
2 Internationals
3 References
4 See also

[edit] Clubs

1966 - 1968 Middlesbrough FC (England)
1968 Gateshead FC (England)
1969 - 1971 South Coast United
1972 Marconi-Fairfield
1973 - 1974 Safeway United
1975 - 1978 Western Suburbs
1979 - 1982 APIA Leichhardt

[edit] Internationals

A-Internationals: 65 (4.November 1970 - 13.June 1979)
61 games as Captain, 3 goals (^= 0,05 Goals per match)
116 games for Australian (incl. Test games 133)

NSW State:

13 games for New South Wales ( 6 as Captain)

Biggest success with the National team:

Friendship Cup tournament in Vietnam 1970
Asia/Oceania Champion 1973
World Cup Finals in West Germany 1974

[edit] References

^ Match report, including date of birth

[edit] See also

	Australia squad - 1974 FIFA World Cup
1 Reilly \| 2 Utjesenovic \| 3 Wilson \| 4 Schäfer \| 5 Curran \| 6 Richards \| 7 Rooney \| 8 Mackay \| 9 Warren \| 10 Manuel \| 11 Abonyi \| 12 Alston \| 13 Ollerton \| 14 Tolson \| 15 Williams \| 16 Rudic \| 17 Harding \| 18 Watkiss \| 19 Campbell \| 20 Buljevic \| 21 Milisavljevic \| 22 Maher \| Coach: Rasic