Vale Rod Allen

The Australian football community is today mourning the loss of Rod Allen, the Western Sydney Wanderers Media Manager and former FFA Head of Media Relations.

The Australian football community is today mourning the loss of Rod Allen, the Western Sydney Wanderers Media Manager and former FFA Head of Media Relations, who died in an accident earlier today (Sunday 31 January 2013).

FFA CEO David Gallop paid tribute to Rod for his contribution to football, sport and media in Australia.

"Rod had a remarkable career in sports journalism and more recently sports administration and was regarded as an extremely professional and well-respected journalist, editor and media manager," said Gallop.

"His no-nonsense approach to the task at hand was his trademark and many who dealt with him appreciated this dedication to getting the story, hitting deadline or managing an issue.

"He worked through a significant period during his time at FFA which included the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and our bids to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2015 AFC Asian Cup.

"Most recently Rod was working with the Western Sydney Wanderers as Media Manager and was an important member of the club's staff.

"On behalf of the Australian Football Community, we offer our deepest condolences to his family during this extremely sad time," concluded Gallop.

Following a long and distinguished career as a journalist with both at News Limited and Fairfax newspapers, which included the position as the Managing Editor of Sport for The Sydney Morning Herald from 2003-2008, Rod joined FFA as a consultant in late 2009 and in January 2010 was promoted to the position of Head of Media Relations.

Rod was a media officer with the Qantas Socceroos at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa and was also a prominent figure during the final ten months of Australia's bid to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

In 2011 Rod left FFA to pursue his media consultancy business "Rocket Media" which included a role with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) at the 2012 London Olympic Games as the Manager of the AOC's office in the main press centre .

Late last year, Rod took on the role as the Media Manager for the Western Sydney Wanderers and he was present at Hunter Stadium on Friday night to see them take out the Hyundai A-League 2012/13 Premiers' Plate.

Rod is survived by his wife Laila.