Bob Bignell

Australia’s first Olympic Games captain in 1956, Bob Bignell had a distinguished career at local, state and international level. Born in Wollongong in 1922, Bignell first played junior soccer at age 13 with Corrimal Rangers and represented Illawarra that year. In a 15-year senior career, he made 424 appearances in club soccer, captained Illawarra against every overseas team from 1948-59 and represented NSW – four times as captain. In 1954 Bignell was appointed Australian captain, winning selection 14 times, including six full internationals. Bignell was voted NSW South Coast Sports Star of the Year on three occasions and was rated one of the finest players in South Coast soccer history.