The year was 1978. For me, the love affair with sport - football, in particular - began early. Earlier than SBS.
Sitting with my late father, in the early hours of the morning watching Italy, the country of his birth, take on hosts Argentina at the 1978 World Cup.
Those grainy, sun-drenched images burned in the memory like an ageing, flickering 8mm reel. Golden images stretching on forever. Through time and space.
Thereafter, countless Saturday evenings in the '80s were spent in the family living room. The fragrant smell of my mother’s cooking providing the backdrop. Long before parmesan and shaved pear on rocket salad became fashionable.
And through it all was Les Murray. His dulcet tones the soundtrack to a global football lesson. The Serie A. South American football. Properties which were as foreign to Australian audiences at the time as an Italian-Australian on TV.
The phrases still ring clear and true.
“Sit back now and enjoy the champagne football”.
“Van Basten!!!"
And his legendary interview with the great Diego Maradona during his zenith with Napoli. The enigmatic Argentine revealing the secret to his success. “I am small, but I am strong. No problem”
There were the World Cups with Les at the helm. Mexico '86, Italia '90. USA '94. And then France '98. The tournament where I would receive my first huge break. And it was all down to Laszlo Urge.
To understand Les, one had to understand his own journey. A Hungarian refugee with a love of football attempting to spread the gospel to a largely indifferent country at the time.
Les was a big supporter of the marginalised. The so-called “sheilas, wogs and poofters” as his long-time co-host and legendary Socceroo, Johnny Warren, so succinctly described those who loved the game were perceived in Australia.
For me, Les was a man with a huge heart. Capable of tremendous generosity. One who would open his office door to those who shared his passion and goals for the game.
So it was in 1995 that Les opened his door to a university graduate with no media experience. It’s an opportunity I shall forever remember with gratitude and respect.
Les’ many achievements in Australian broadcasting and his contributions in helping grow the game locally have been well-documented. Nothing I could add would further enshrine those achievements.
So on the one year anniversary of his death, here’s to you Les.
From the World Game. Goodnight.
Robert Grasso is SBS World News' Sport Editor. Follow him on Twitter here.
