Frank Farina´s soccer career was not just an adventure—it was a globe-trotting and goal-scoring odyssey.
PART ONE
Born on 5 September 1964 in Darwin, Frank Farina’s early life was every bit as colourful as his later footballing exploits. Although he was born in the Top End, he grew up in Cairns after a brief spell in Papua New Guinea. And it was there in North Queensland—between the humid afternoons and backyard kickabouts—that a future Socceroos talisman first started to show the instincts of a natural-born striker.
Notably, he didn’t start out with a silver spoon or access to elite youth academies; instead, it was a high school teacher who nudged him towards Mareeba United, a semi-professional outfit in the Queensland State League. As a result, Farina got his first taste of paid football as a 16-year-old, and that experience would soon become the launchpad for greater things.
In 1982, Farina was awarded a scholarship to the prestigious Australian Institute of Sport, a development that marked a critical junction in his fledgling career. He made the most of this opportunity, and just a year later he found himself playing for the Canberra Arrows in the National Soccer League (NSL).
Moreover, his debut seasons in 1983 and 1984 were solid if unspectacular in terms of goals—scoring just under ten per campaign—but what set him apart was his sheer entertainment value. This was recognised when he received the SBS-TV’s Most Entertaining Player award in 1984, an honour that foreshadowed the thrilling, crowd-pleasing style he would become known for.
Farina’s international career also took its first tentative steps in 1984 when he made his debut for the Socceroos in a 2–3 defeat to China. However, the scoreline was irrelevant. What mattered was that Australia had just uncovered a striker with verve, energy, and an uncanny knack for being in the right place at the right time.
In 1985, Farina made the move to Sydney City, one of the NSL’s most powerful clubs. That season, Sydney City reached the NSL Grand Final but ultimately fell short, losing 2–0 on aggregate to Brunswick Juventus. Nonetheless, Farina’s stock continued to rise, and the following year he helped Sydney lift the National Cup.
However, 1987 brought unexpected upheaval. Just weeks into the new season, the club’s owner, Frank Lowy, abruptly withdrew his financial support, leading to the team’s sudden withdrawal from the league. Accordingly, Farina had to find a new home—fast.
He landed at Marconi Fairfield, and the results were electric. In 1987, Farina scored 16 goals. In 1988, he netted 17. Not only did he win the NSL Golden Boot in both years, but he also secured the Players’ Player Medal—an award akin to the Johnny Warren Medal—and claimed another SBS Most Entertaining Player award.
What’s more, 1988 saw him crowned the Oceania Player of the Year. These accolades weren’t just ornamental—they were the currency of credibility in a footballing nation still desperate for a genuine talisman. And so, Farina became the face of Australian soccer, a prolific frontman with the stats and swagger to match.
PART TWO
The next step was inevitable. His performances had caught the eye of scouts abroad, and in late 1988, Farina signed for Club Brugge in Belgium. If there were doubters questioning whether an Australian could cut it in Europe, he silenced them almost immediately.
Farina was majestic in Bruges, scoring 43 goals in just over 70 appearances. In the 1989–90 season, he spearheaded the club’s charge to the Belgian First Division title, finishing as top scorer and being awarded both the Belgian Golden Boot and Best Foreign Player—a rare double for a non-European player at the time.
Furthermore, he helped Club Brugge win the Belgian Cup in 1990–91 and lifted the Belgian Supercup in both 1990 and 1991. His time in Belgium marked the peak of his club career, and there was an increasing sense that this Aussie forward—who had once played on dusty fields in Mareeba—could genuinely hold his own among Europe’s elite.
Consequently, big-spending Bari came calling in 1991, splashing out over AUD $3 million to secure his signature—a record fee for an Australian player at the time. Farina became the first Aussie to play in Serie A, and expectations were sky-high.
Initially, the move promised much. But the winds of Italian football are famously fickle, and nine games into the season, Bari changed their coach. The new manager had little time for Farina, especially in a squad loaded with overseas talent. As a result, Farina found himself frozen out, not for lack of ability but due to a simple case of being the wrong foreigner at the wrong time.
In an effort to revive his career, Farina joined English side Notts County on loan in 1991–92. The hope was that a spell in the English top flight might help him regain momentum. He made five appearances and scored once, but again, a change in management left him surplus to requirements, and his English sojourn ended almost as quickly as it had begun.
Refusing to let setbacks define him, Farina took his talents to France, signing with RC Strasbourg for the 1992–93 season. In his first year, he scored eight goals in 24 appearances, showing a return to form and earning a second season in the French top tier. In 1993–94, he added another six goals in 23 matches, proving himself a reliable, intelligent striker in a competitive league.
What’s more, Farina capped off his European adventure with a move to Lille in 1994–95. Lille finished 14th that season, but Farina’s contribution—six goals from 27 games—was steady and valuable. While he may not have matched the dizzying heights of his Brugge years, his consistency and professionalism in France added to his growing reputation as one of Australia’s finest football exports.
It´s also worth remembering that Frank Fanna managed to find the back of the net on 20 occasions in 67 appearances for the Socceroos between 1984 and 1995,
He wasn’t just a striker for Australia; he was the striker. A constant fixture during the national team’s long and winding road through Oceania, Asia, and beyond, Farina represented the footballing hope of a nation long before the golden generation of Kewell, Viduka, and Cahill came along.
One of his most memorable tournaments came in the 1991 Trans-Tasman Cup, where he scored three goals across two legs against New Zealand. In addition, he featured in two FIFA World Cup qualification campaigns—1990 and 1994—and was the face of Australian soccer during a time when qualifying for the World Cup felt more like climbing Mount Everest in flip-flops.
Despite missing out on the big dance both times, Farina’s impact on the team was immense, both as a scorer and a leader. His final cap came in 1995, but his legacy with the green and gold was already cast in iron by then.
PART THREE
In the mid-1990s, Frank Farina returned to his homeland, joining the Brisbane Strikers for the 1995–96 National Soccer League (NSL) season. His impact was immediate and profound, netting 20 goals in 20 matches and finishing second in the Golden Boot race behind Damien Mori’s remarkable 31 goals. Despite Farina’s prolific form, the Strikers concluded the season in fifth place.
The subsequent season ushered in a new chapter, as Farina embraced the dual role of player and coach. This transition was seamless, culminating in the Strikers clinching their inaugural NSL title. The pinnacle of this achievement was a commanding 2–0 victory over Sydney United in the Grand Final at Lang Park, with Farina himself opening the scoring in front of a capacity crowd exceeding 40,000. His exemplary leadership and tactical acumen were recognized with the NSL Coach of the Year award in 1997.
However, the euphoria was short-lived. The 1997–98 season saw the Strikers plummet to third-last in the standings. Farina’s contributions on the field dwindled, with a solitary goal in 18 appearances, as injuries and the inevitable march of time took their toll. This period marked the end of his tenure with the Strikers.
Seeking a new challenge, Farina joined the Marconi Stallions as a player-coach for the 1998–99 season. Prioritizing his coaching responsibilities, he made only two appearances without finding the net. Nonetheless, he guided the team to the minor semi-final, where they eliminated Northern Spirit before succumbing to a close 1-0 defeat against Perth Glory. This season signaled the conclusion of Farina’s playing days, allowing him to focus entirely on his managerial aspirations.
PART FOUR
In 1999, Farina ascended to one of the most prestigious roles in Australian football, becoming the head coach of the national team. Notably, he was the first Indigenous Australian to hold this position. His inaugural match was a challenging 0–2 loss to a second-string Brazilian side in Sydney, followed closely by a spirited 2–2 draw against the same opponents in Melbourne.
The dawn of the new millennium saw the Socceroos secure a convincing 3–0 victory over Hungary in Budapest, signaling a positive trajectory under Farina’s guidance. The momentum continued as Australia clinched the 2000 Oceania Nations Cup, earning a spot in the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup.
At the Confederations Cup, Australia impressed by advancing from Group A, highlighted by a memorable 1–0 win over reigning world champions France. The tournament concluded with the Socceroos achieving a commendable third-place finish after defeating Brazil by the same margin.
The road to the 2002 FIFA World Cup showcased Australia’s dominance in the Oceania region, with record-breaking victories such as the 22–0 thrashing of Tonga and an unprecedented 31–0 demolition of American Samoa, where Archie Thompson hit 13 goals. Despite these emphatic wins and overcoming New Zealand 6–1 on aggregate, the Socceroos fell short in the intercontinental playoff against Uruguay, losing 1–3 on aggregate and missing out on World Cup qualification.
The ensuing years were a mixed bag. The 2002 Oceania Nations Cup ended in disappointment with a final loss to New Zealand. A notable 3–1 friendly victory over England in 2003 provided a silver lining.
However, the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup was less forgiving, with Australia failing to secure a win, leading to mounting media scrutiny. Tensions escalated following a contentious interaction with SBS reporter Andrew Orsatti, culminating in Farina’s departure by mutual consent on June 29, 2005. He was succeeded by Guus Hiddink, who later guided Australia to the 2006 World Cup.
PART FIVE
After a period away from the touchline, Farina returned to club management on November 15, 2006, taking the reins at Brisbane Roar. His tenure was marked by a commitment to nurturing young talent, bringing in players like Michael Zullo and Tahj Minniecon, who played pivotal roles in the team’s successes during the 2007–08 season.
However, Farina’s time with the Roar was marred by off-field issues. On October 11, 2009, he was suspended indefinitely following a drink-driving charge while en route to training. This incident led to his dismissal on October 14, 2009, with the club emphasizing the importance of upholding its image and values.
In February 2011, Farina embarked on an international venture, signing a contract to coach the Papua New Guinea national team. This role presented unique challenges and opportunities as he sought to develop football in a nation passionate about the sport but lacking infrastructure and resources.
Farina’s next significant appointment came on November 28, 2012, when he was named head coach of Sydney FC, succeeding Ian Crook. The club, one of the A-League’s biggest, was under immense pressure to perform, and Farina inherited a side lacking cohesion and confidence. Despite flashes of improvement and the presence of marquee talent — notably Italian legend Alessandro Del Piero — the Sky Blues were unable to find consistent form under his guidance.
From the outset, the team’s style of play drew criticism. Farina’s pragmatic, often cautious approach clashed with Sydney’s lofty ambitions and the expectations of an entertainment-hungry fanbase. As results remained erratic, fan sentiment soured further. Sydney FC’s active supporter group, The Cove, grew increasingly vocal in their discontent, going as far as boycotting matches and unfurling banners that called for Farina’s sacking.
One particularly damning display read simply: “Frank Out”. The media, never one to hold back, echoed the sentiment, with pundits questioning Farina’s tactical adaptability in the modern A-League environment.
Despite occasional wins and Farina’s attempts to rebuild the squad, the writing was on the wall. On April 1, 2014, following a season that saw Sydney scrape into the Finals Series but fail to build momentum, the club made the decision to part ways with him. He was replaced by Graham Arnold, who would go on to steady the ship in the seasons to come.
Farina, ever the professional, handled his dismissal with dignity, thanking the club and its fans and expressing regret that he wasn’t able to take the team further. But the departure marked another chapter in a managerial career defined by peaks and troughs, and by the growing challenges faced by a coach once seen as Australia’s managerial standard-bearer.