Francis Awaritefe

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Francis Awaritefe

| image = Francis Awaritefe.jpg

| fullname = Francis Edgar Awaritefe

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1964|4|18}}

| birth_place = London, England

| height =

| position = Striker

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 =

| years1 =

| years2 = 1984–1986

| years3 = 1986–1988

| years4 = 1988

| years5 = 1989–1992

| years6 = 1992

| years7 = 1992–1995

| years8 = 1995–2000

| years9 = 2000–2001

| years10 = 2001–2008

| years11 = 2008–present

| clubs1 = Wimbledon

| clubs2 = Tooting & Mitcham United

| clubs3 = Sutton United

| clubs4 = → Barnet (loan)

| clubs5 = Melbourne Knights

| clubs6 = North Geelong Warriors

| clubs7 = South Melbourne

| clubs8 = Marconi Stallions

| clubs9 = Sydney United

| clubs10 = Rockdale City Suns

| caps1 =

| caps2 = 37

| caps3 = 65

| caps4 = 5

| caps5 = 98

| caps6 = 10

| caps7 = 73

| caps8 = 120

| caps9 = 22

| caps10 = 12

| goals1 =

| goals2 = 12

| goals3 = 24

| goals4 = 1

| goals5 = 43

| goals6 = 10

| goals7 = 34

| goals8 = 39

| goals9 = 7

| goals10 = 3

| nationalyears1 = 1993–1996

| nationalteam1 = Australia

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 1

}}

Francis Edgar Awaritefe (born 18 April 1964) is a former professional soccer player. Born in England, he made three appearances for Australia scoring once. He was Director of Football at Melbourne Victory.

Early life

Awaritefe was born in London, England to Nigerian parents. He moved to Nigeria at the age of 4, and moved to Australia in adulthood where he was nationalized.{{Cite web|url=https://keepup.com.au/news/a-generation-that-can-change-the-view-of-millions-of-australians/|title=Special feature: The record cohort giving 'millions of us' a new perspective on Australia|date=16 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220111215006/https://keepup.com.au/news/a-generation-that-can-change-the-view-of-millions-of-australians/|archive-date=11 January 2022}} He has a son, Reuben Awaritefe, who had played for Central Coast Mariners Academy and Western Sydney Wanderers Youth.{{cite web |title=St George City aim to fire with Reuben Awaritefe |url=https://footballnsw.com.au/2022/02/14/st-george-city-aim-to-fire-with-reuben-awaritefe/ |publisher=Football NSW |access-date=18 November 2023 |language=en-AU |date=14 February 2022}}

Administrative career

On 21 June 2011, he was signed by Melbourne Victory as their new Director of Football on a two-year deal, replacing Gary Cole, with Mehmet Durakovic signed as the club's new manager on the same day.http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1061605/Durakovic-gets-Victory-role {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104094508/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1061605/Durakovic-gets-Victory-role |date=4 November 2013 }} Durakovic gets Victory jobCourier Mail http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/mehmet-durakovic-to-be-named-melbourne-victorys-new-coach/story-e6frep5o-1226078808073

However, after a brief five-month stint in his job as the Director of Football with Melbourne Victory, Awaritefe was axed by Melbourne Victory, after a run of poor results.{{cite web |url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/223669,awaritefe-axed-by-melbourne-victory.aspx |title=Awaritefe Axed By Melbourne Victory |publisher=au.fourfourtwo.com (Australian Four Four Two) |access-date=22 November 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111124050137/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/223669,awaritefe-axed-by-melbourne-victory.aspx |archive-date=24 November 2011 }}

He appeared on the Australian television program Nerds FC.{{when|date=February 2019}}{{citation needed|date=February 2019}}

Awaritefe is as at February 2019 vice-president of FIFPro (International Federation of Professional Footballers) and has been with Craig Foster participating in the campaign to free Hakeem al-Araibi.{{cite news|url=https://www.news.com.au/sport/sports-life/craig-foster-steps-up-campaign-to-help-refugee-footballer-hakeem-alaraibi/news-story/d7b56da24963e536ab269d79a8e6396c|first1=Sam|last1=Clench|first2=Paul|last2=Johnson|title=Footballer Hakeem Al-Araibi appears in Thai court pleads against extradition|access-date=5 February 2019|date=5 February 2019|archive-date=5 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190205070856/https://www.news.com.au/sport/sports-life/craig-foster-steps-up-campaign-to-help-refugee-footballer-hakeem-alaraibi/news-story/d7b56da24963e536ab269d79a8e6396c}}