At fever pitch

By Lilly O’Gorman
SOCCER mania has reached fever pitch in Australia.
Socceroos fans are emerging from the woodworks, dusting off their Socceroos jerseys and becoming bleary-eyed from regular 4.30am television vigils.
Sure, we are all die-hard fans now, but how many could say they’d miss their own wedding day to watch a soccer Grand Final?
Jeff Yates can.
“My wife Dianne said it was me or Manchester United. And there was no contest that day,” he said, recalling that fateful day in May 1980.
Manchester United made it into the finals. So, naturally Jeff changed his wedding date.
“But we are still happily married 30 years since. She supports me all the way with the soccer.”
As the FIFA World Cup continues, Jeff is up before the crack of dawn with the rest of Australia. Except he is well and truly accustomed to the early morning wake-ups.
Jeff grew up in the UK and has been a passionate Manchester United supporter from birth. Since he came to Australia with his wife in 1983, it is a passion that has never quelled.
“I watch the soccer every day. At least once a week, I will wake up at 12 or 4.30am to watch the French, Italian or Spanish teams play,” Jeff said.
“I’m a member of Manchester United club overseas and I follow results closely on the internet.”
Patriotism lends him to the Socceroos, but his dedication for Manchester United, remains just as strong as ever.
“Manchester United is my normal everyday soccer team, but for international soccer it’s the Socceroos.”
Jeff used to play football in the UK. He names David Beckham as his favourite player of all time while his Favourite Australian Player is Lucas Neill.
His ultimate match highlight?
“The 2006 qualifier for the world cup in Sydney, Australia against Uruguay. The atmosphere at that game was the best ever. Absolutely unbelievable! The fans really got behind Australia. I lost my voice after that game.”
He has an impressive collection of memorabilia and collects everything from shirts and scarves to programs, videos and DVDs. He often tapes matches and loves to re-watch exciting games, but ultimately loves the live spectacle above all.
“I have done interstate trips to watch the Socceroos play in Adelaide and Sydney and when the English premier league teams come over, I will always go to watch them. Whenever I can get to a game I will.”
He says he misses the atmosphere in the UK, but has noticed a rise in support for the sport in Australia.
“It is getting better over here with A-League football, there is a good rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney,” Jeff said.
“Soccer is definitely on the move in Australia and I hope it keeps on getting bigger and better.”
Jeff says his family, however, doesn’t exactly belong to the group of progressive Australian soccer-converts.
In a family of women, Jeff is quite alone in his fanatics. So much so, he has been forced to find company in ‘traitors’.
“My daughter Kelly’s boyfriend isn’t really welcome in the house because he barracks for Liverpool,” he jokes.
“But that is the only bad thing about him.”