The Schaefer family migrated from Germany in the 1950s, and young Manfred grew up to become a Socceroos pioneer, funding his football dream by delivering milk in Cabramatta before helping Australia reach its first FIFA World Cup in 1974—played in his birth country. He passed that love of the game on to his daughter, Kim, a Matildas trailblazer in the 1980s who continues to shape Australian football today.
It was really incredible: an 11-year-old boy who came to a new country barely speaking English, who kept his German accent his entire life, went back to represent his new home and play against East and West Germany.Kim Schaefer on her father
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