One of the highlights of last year was to meet up with Greg Werner – who is leading The Great Save Australia. He was in the UK for Australia’s internationals against England and New Zealand and, in particular, to see the recovered Soccer Ashes trophy presented. Here’s the amazing story…

The ‘Soccer Ashes’, instigated 100 years ago during the 1923 series between Australia and New Zealand, was fought for again – for the first time in 69 years – on 17 October 2023 at Brentford’s G-Tech stadium.

Series between the two countries have been intermittent since the trophy was first made. Consisting of an outer casket built of timbers from both countries, it contains a silver razor case carried ashore on the first boat to land at Gallipoli in 1915, a fateful enterprise in World War I. Within that case are the ashes of cigars smoked by the captains of the 1923 teams after the first test in Brisbane, a nod to cricket’s Ashes trophy.

The trophy disappeared from view after the 1954 series but came to light after diligent work, aided by Greg Werner of The Great Save Australia, recovered this beautiful artefact. At Brentford, in faraway west London, it was fought for once more and stood testimony to a long and perhaps forgotten rivalry. A short and poignant film showcased the rediscovery, and the Soccer Ashes were won by Australia by two goals to nil.