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Warren collection heads to museum

15 May 2008 | 18:30 - AAP

A collection of memorabilia celebrating the life of football legend Johnny Warren has been donated to the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

 

The collection, made up of about 500 items from his life as a player, administrator and television personality, has been donated by Warren's family.

The Johnny Warren Collection includes the legend's Socceroos shirt worn in the 1974 World Cup match against East Germany and his Medal of the Order of Australia is also included.

There is also a 2004 FIFA Centennial Order of Merit, the only one awarded in Australia, said NMA Director of Public affairs Dennis Grant.

"It's a donation to the national museum for which we are enormously grateful," he said.

"What's significant about it is the depth of it. It's some medals, some gear, stuff that goes back to his early career when he was 12."

Grant described the collection as priceless and said parts of it could be included in the gallery's permanent collection.

NMA director Craddock Morton said the museum is looking to tour the collection around the country in coming years.

"Johnny Warren was loved by fans across the country," Morton said.

"Now his place in the nation's memory is assured by this donation to the national museum."

Warren was the face of soccer in Australia for 30 years, playing 42 times for the Socceroos, including the 1974 world cup, and commentating on the game for SBS.

In 2004 he lost a long battle with lung cancer. He was 61.

Warren's family and partner Sibre will officially hand over the collection on Saturday.

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