12 October 2025, 12:00 AM
Former goalkeeper Ron Tilsed’s best man at his wedding was the late Australian soccer legend Johnny Warren - and now that he’s moved to Gerringong, he’s found himself close to an old friend once again.Housed in the back of the Jamberoo Pub is the Johnny Warren Museum, curated by Johnny’s nephew, Jamie Warren, who now owns the pub.Tilsed spoke glowingly about the museum.“It’s fantastic. There’s not enough done to remember our football players in this country - there should be more. But Ross [Johnny’s brother] and Jamie have done such a good job keeping his memory alive, with this and the golf days.”The story of Tilsed and Warren’s friendship begins, naturally, with the game they both loved: football.Tilsed’s career began in England with his local club, Bournemouth. After an exceptional season, he was selected for the England youth team - ahead of all the Division 1 goalkeepers - and travelled to Czechoslovakia for the Little World Cup.“We had the first two million-pound players with us - Trevor Francis, rest his soul, and Steve Daley. We won the tournament. I saved three penalties in the semi-final against Russia, and we beat Portugal 3-0 in the final.”He was awarded player of the tournament and on the flight home, a gentleman approached him:“He said, ‘Congratulations, Ron - would you like to join us at Arsenal?’”That gentleman turned out to be Arsenal’s chief scout, Gordon Clark. Tilsed joined the club as the back-up goalkeeper behind Bob Wilson during their famous 1971 double-winning season.“But I couldn’t break into the first team. We won so many games 1-0, and I was stuck as reserve. Arsenal were known then as ‘boring old Arsenal’. Score one, shut up shop.”Seeking first-team football, Tilsed moved to Portsmouth, where he made an immediate impact. His first game was against Sunderland - who would go on to win the FA Cup that year.“We lost 2-1, but I was named Man of the Match.”Tragically, after just 14 games for Portsmouth, Tilsed suffered a serious injury.“I broke my arm and had a plate put in - it’s still on display at the Portsmouth Museum. I told the coach it was busted - and sure enough, it was. They brought in another keeper. I was young and a bit foolish.”Johnny Warren and Ron Tilsed among some of their squad at Canberra City.After brief stints at Hereford United and in South Africa (then banned by FIFA due to apartheid), Tilsed heard about a new opportunity in Australia.“I heard about Johnny Warren - who’d played for Australia at the 1974 World Cup - starting a new franchise in Canberra. I thought, ‘Nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ I came over and stayed a couple of years.”He still remembers the moment Johnny picked him up from the airport:“I asked, ‘Where’s the team, John?’ And he said, ‘Tilly - that’s my nickname - we don’t need anyone else. We’ve got you.’ I laughed and said, ‘Come on, John!’ He replied, ‘Ex-England, Arsenal, Pompey - we’ve got a goalkeeper!’”Tilsed became Canberra City’s first signing and was goalkeeper in their inaugural National Soccer League match. He played 41 games for the club between 1977 and 1978.“We started playing at Bruce Stadium - the Prime Minister at the time, Malcolm Fraser, gave it to us. We played the first ever match there, even before the Canberra rugby league team.”Though the club struggled initially - finishing in the bottom few - they held their own.“We had good footballers and some great results - even beat Marconi and drew with Sydney Hakoah, who went on to win the league.”A newspaper clipping of when Tilsed was at Canberra CityTilsed and Warren lived together in Canberra during those early years of the club - and a deep friendship formed.“Johnny was my best mate - and best man at my wedding. Tragically, we lost him. But we’ve honoured him for 20 years now with the Johnny Warren Golf Day, held around his birthday, May 17. The 1974 Socceroos still attend: Ray Richards, Noddy, and others. He’s still very loved.”Warren, Tilsed said, evolved over time: “As a player, Johnny was very good. As a coach, he got better. But he truly excelled as a journalist and broadcaster, especially working with Les Murray. They covered many World Cups together.”Johnny and Ron together at Johnny's 50th birthday - this photo is a part of the Johnny Warren MuseumTilsed’s professional career continued until 1984, when he played 13 games for Wollongong City. He later coached in Cronulla, before moving to Gerringong three years ago.Despite the ups and downs, he reflects on his career without bitterness.“What would I have done differently? Probably kept my mouth shut more. I peaked too early. At 18, I was playing first-team football in Division 1, after coming from Division 3 Bournemouth. John Bond, my manager, once told me, ‘Ron, you’re the best in the world at 18. Let’s see how far you go.’ He wasn’t far off.”“But I’ve got no regrets. I have two beautiful daughters, dual citizenship, and a lifetime of stories and memories.”Now, living in Gerringong and spending time at the Jamberoo Pub - surrounded by photos, memorabilia, and the spirit of his best mate - Ron Tilsed gets to relive those stories once again.“It’s special,” he says, “to be close to Johnny again.”
