EVERY so often football fans get to marvel the former Fiji footballers on social media, Facebook.
Every post to pictures draws the one-time followers to describe the kind of footballers they were, skills and triumphs revealed.
An impetuous overview it maybe, they get to relive the moments of the yesteryear.
While it’s always good to know about the former footballers, it is worthy mention that they’ve become the least followed and or not known over the years.
A recent poll conducted exclusively for Sportsone reveals a staggering 60 per cent Fijians have a vague memory of the 1950-1970s footballers.
The respondents said there is nothing to fall back on for history as there is no historical facts on the early footballers.
They said there’s no archives and this makes it harder to learn.
And if you thought the 1980-1990s footballers would be much followed because of the consensus they were sports best by name and the know-how’s than you got it wrong.
A low 15 per cent remember individual footballers and team triumphs but were aghast about their national team representation.
The core footballers that made the national team were from Ba, Suva, Lautoka, Nadroga and Nadi, and while these teams had success at home, the footballers of the era failed to convince for high percentage point.
The 1981 loss Australia and New Zealand topped the recall though.
The 10-0 loss to Australia in and then a record 13-0 loss to New Zealand in the world cup qualifiers made Fiji the whipping boys of world soccer.
The respondents said the one offs, 4-0 win against New Zealand during the Oceania Cup in Noumea in 1980, which was Fiji’s historic first ever win and the 1-0, win versus Australia in 1988 at Prince Charles and the back to back Melanesian Cup wins 1988, 1989, were the high points for consideration, but it didn’t help change the mindset of the footballer’s followings.
In comparison an upsurge of 20 per cent was towards the 2000-2015s footballers.
And here’s a period where footballs worst per say was on the offer.
The national team, the age groups teams failed miserably and yet they’re the most followed.
The poll survey was conducted during major sporting events in Australia, New Zealand, USA and Canada.
Fiji poll survey recorded 500 callers, as registered by Sportsone agents. An error of plus or minus 5 per cent point was recorded.
The public opinion also gave the sport of football and its standard a high 90 per cent failing grade.
Roy Krishna (Labasa) and late, Josaia (Jo) Tubuna (Lautoka) were former footballers’ pick as the all-time best for skills, vision and leadership.
