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Very sad news - SBS Broadcaster Les Murray who came here from Hungary and became an iconic soccer broadcaster has passed away, was awarded the Order of Australia for his huge contribution and will be missed.

Shocked to hear the news this morning.
Has died after a short illness aged just 71.
He became one of Australia’s most recognised and loved sporting identities, who began working with SBS when it launched as a television broadcaster in 1980.
A devastating loss to sport broadcasting.

Not a huge Soccer fan but came to enjoy his knowledgeable commentary when watching the Socceroos.
Unlike some of the AFL commentators Les knew something about his game.
RIP Les gone too young.

Grassy wrote: Vale Les Murray.

The Mr Football of The World Game.Brought The World Game closer to Australia than anyone possibly ever could.Though I only started to know him about 1985/86,I really enjoyed his coverage of "Fudball"as we lovingly heard from his Magic Voice,games from Italy,Spain,Argentina,Uruguay and of course,Brasil in particular.

Whenever the El Classico between Real(Madrid)and Barca(Barcelona),Diego Maradonna's Napoli against the whole of Italy,but mainly Juve(Juventus),Milan( AC Milan),it was almost compulsory to watch World Football on SBS on Saturday Nights.

Also the Cauldrons of River Plate v Boca Juniors or Flamengo v Fluminese made for essential viewing.As did his coverage of Euro Football,the Copa Libertadores,Euro Championships,Copa America,the Intercontinental Cup in Tokyo,the World Cup,the NSL and of course,the Socceroos who probably used Les and Johnny Warren's Passion,to finally Qualify for The World Cup in 2006 and then again,the next 2 times.

It almost seems fitting his Last World Cup was in The Ultimate Country to be in World Fudball - BRASIL!

I really hope Les had a Ball there.He probably wouldn't seek such extravagance,but for all his Tireless Work for The World Game,Les deserved to have a right Carnivale!

I sincerely feel for all those who feel his Loss Greatly,starting with Fozz(Craig Foster).

Farewell Les,you will be Missed Greatly,but Never Forgotten.

Much Sympathy to Family and Friends.Here,Hungary and around The World where a Football is Kicked,or headed.

Yes Grassy , all true , my main memory are all the world cups from 1986 onwards , the first one was in Italy and the coverage was really all new and and a real eye opener Les along side Johnnie Warren (RIP) and the other chap with the big black mo.
Then of course all the Aussie Qualification matches.
Don't forget Les was also actually the National Director of all sport for SBS for many years, and host of Toyota World Sport for about 20 years - this was a full 30 minutes coverage of World Wide Sport - Golf, Athletics. World Series Baseball, you name it pretty much the only place you got that coverage prior to the internet etc - they ended it a few years back with the 1 hour SBS News.