Hailing all the way from Liverpool, England, a young midfielder made his mark on football in Queensland from the late 1970s to the 90s.
Described as a “Queensland soccer legend”, Frank Pimblett’s celebrated career here in Australia created a unique link between the top flight of English football and the National Soccer League.
After representing England at schoolboy level, at just 17 Pimblett made his debut for Aston Villa in a 1975 FA Cup clash against Oldham Athletic. In total he made 11 appearances for the club including six in the First Division, the then top tier of English football.
Pimblett went on to play for Stockport County FC before making the move to the Queensland capital.
Working in Brisbane as a steel fixer on construction sites, the young Englishman joined Brisbane City for the inaugural season of the Australian National Soccer League (NSL) in 1977, playing in the club’s first ever NSL match against Marconi Stallions in front of a crowd of 5,214 at Perry Park.
Pimblett scored Brisbane City’s first ever goal in their first ever win in the NSL in 1977 against South Melbourne and later that year, Pimblett and City went on to claim the inaugural NSL Cup, securing victory on penalties against Marconi-Fairfield as 7,000 fans watched on at Perry Park.
Just a year later, 21-year-old Pimblett led Brisbane City to a second consecutive NSL Cup title as he scored the match-winning goal in the 77th minute against Adelaide City.
1982 marked another milestone for Pimblett’s Australian football career as he took over as captain of Brisbane City, described that season as being “a cornerstone of City’s midfield.”
“He’s a colossal player, and it’s just an honour to play with him,” a former teammate said of him at the time.
Amongst his career highlights through his time with Brisbane City, the midfielder won the 106.9 QFM Soccer Gold Award in 1989, with the medal awarded at Perry Park just days before a Grand Final against rivals Lions.
Pimblett polled a record 36 points based on referee 3-2-1 votes.
“You have to have the players behind you to win an award like this,” he said after receiving the award.
“I’m proud of myself but also for my teammates. We just have to go out and win on Sunday to make it a really great year.”
That same year, he was also a runaway winner of the Courier Mail’s Best and Fairest Soccer Award.
In 1993 whilst playing for Pine Rivers in the XXXX League, 36-year-old Pimblett was honoured with a testimonial match between his former side Brisbane Strikers (known as Brisbane United at the time) and arch-rivals Lions at Perry Park.
“If United want me back next year I’ll give it some thought,” he said.
“I would like to play another season in the NSL but that would definitely be it. I’m enjoying playing more than ever and, barring injury, I have no intention of hanging up my boots yet.
“It’s funny because a lot of the guys who will be playing in the testimonial match are around my age.
“I guess it will make me feel old, but I’m really looking forward to the game and catching up with a lot of old friends.”
In addition to his achievements within the NSL, Pimblett was also a stalwart in the Queensland side, including captaining the state team in 1992.
“He does everything to perfection, so it’s a pleasure to have someone like this in your team,” former Queensland coach Juan Cutillas said of him.
30 years on from Pimblett’s time as state team captain, the Queensland football legend will now welcome his former club Aston Villa to the city he has called home for so many years.
Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium will host English Premier League side Aston Villa this Sunday as they take on Leeds United as part of the Queensland Champions Cup.
