Royal arrived in Australia at the end of World War II and adopted the on-air name of ‘Martin’ at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) due to the fact there was already another John Royal working at their Melbourne studios.
Royal became the ABC’s first ever special football commentator from 1954, and became known as the ‘Voice of Soccer’ through to his retirement 30 years later.
Royal travelled overseas covering the Socceroos on numerous occasions, striking up close friendships with many of the staff and players who were representing the green and gold.
Hall of Fame 1999 Inductees
_2.jpg?itok=71SzTcvI)
.jpeg?itok=WhLhcyNJ)
.jpg?itok=ZsNZStmj)
.jpg?itok=qWHhNHy-)
.jpg?itok=SlwZlRud)