Tony Franken, born on 11 January 1965 in Perth, Western Australia, stands as one of Australia’s most accomplished goalkeepers — and a proud product of Dutch migrant heritage.
Frank Franken
His story begins with his father, Frank Franken, born in the Netherlands in 1935. Like many Dutch migrants who arrived in Australia after the Second World War, Frank brought with him a love of football and quickly became involved in the game. He played as a goalkeeper for East Fremantle Tricolore, one of the prominent clubs in Perth, and represented Western Australia. In 1959, Frank appeared in a representative match for an Australian XI against the visiting Scottish club Heart of Midlothian, marking a notable highlight in his career. His involvement in the local football scene set the stage for his son’s path in the sport.
Tony Franken
Following in his father’s footsteps — even playing the same position — Tony Franken began his football journey with East Fremantle Tricolore and earned a scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport in 1982. From there, he built an impressive professional career spanning more than two decades.
Franken played for several major clubs in the National Soccer League (NSL), including:
- Canberra City
- Sydney Croatia
- APIA Leichhardt
- Sutherland Sharks
- Rockdale Ilinden
- Parramatta Eagles
- Sydney Olympic
- Perth Glory
He amassed 278 NSL appearances, demonstrating consistency and reliability across all levels of domestic football.
On the international stage, Franken represented Australia across multiple levels:
- Australia U20 (including the 1983 FIFA World Youth Championship in Mexico)
- Australia U23
- Australia B (14 matches between 1984 and 1985)
- Socceroos senior team (2 official caps in 1992 — vs Indonesia and the Solomon Islands)
After retiring from playing, Tony transitioned seamlessly into coaching. From 2006 to 2018, he served as goalkeeping coach for the Socceroos, contributing to multiple FIFA World Cup campaigns.
In 2020, he was appointed goalkeeping coach for the Matildas, Australia’s women’s national team. His technical expertise and decades of experience have been instrumental in nurturing Australia’s top female goalkeepers, including through the highly successful 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosted in Australia and New Zealand. As of 2025, he continues in this role under new Matildas coach Joe Montemurro.
Tony Franken’s career is not just a testament to individual excellence — it reflects the broader Dutch contribution to Australian football. From his father’s arrival and local club involvement to Tony’s national and international achievements, the Franken family illustrates how Dutch migrants have enriched Australia’s multicultural sporting identity.
See also: Clogball
