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From Sydney's Streets to Canada's Stadiums - The Remarkable Life of Sporting Fugitive Con Jones

Fair Play Publishing

Key Facts:

Trevor Thompson’s new book, Big Con, uncovers the extraordinary life of an Australian fugitive who helped shape the modern game of soccer in North America—only to be forgotten in his homeland.

In Big Con, acclaimed author and former senior ABC journalist Trevor Thompson brings to life the gripping true story of Thomas Shortel—who later became better known as Con Jones—an orphaned Sydney street kid turned bookmaker who fled Australia after a scandalous Melbourne Cup betting fraud.

 

Reinventing himself in Vancouver early in the 20^th Century, Jones became the most influential figure in Canadian soccer for a generation. 

 

He introduced professional football to British Columbia, built a stadium that bore his name, created cross-border competitions with the United States, and negotiated with the sport’s global powerbrokers in London and New York—all while hiding a criminal past back home.

 

Jones’ sporting influence also extended to lacrosse, boxing, and even neon advertising, with his now-iconic slogan “Don’t Argue” illuminating Vancouver’s skyline. Despite being inducted into the British Columbia Soccer Hall of Fame in 2023, he remains virtually unknown in Australia.

 

Trevor Thompson—drawing on decades of journalistic experience and meticulous archival research—reveals a story of ambition, reinvention, and scandal at the dawn of international sport. With a vivid eye for character and context, Big Con restores Con Jones to the historical record as a true pioneer of global football.

 

Big Con is available now in paperback and e-book from all good bookstores, online, and directly from the publisher. 

ENDS

About us:

About Trevor Thompson

Trevor Thompson is a journalist, historian, and author. He has worked as a senior reporter and producer for the ABC, with a longstanding interest in the global evolution of football. His previous books include One Fantastic Goal, Playing for Australiaand Burning Ambition (co-written with Nick Guoth). He is a respected voice in Australian football writing and cultural history.

 

About Fair Play Publishing

Fair Play Publishing was established in 2016 by FIFA whistleblower, writer, and former football executive Bonita Mersiades, who is also the founder of the Football Writers’ Festival and the Manly Writers’ Festival. Fair Play Publishing has since published more than 80 books and is the biggest publisher of non-fiction books on football, as well as other sports, in Australia. Fair Play Publishing is the principal imprint dedicated to sports non-fiction. Other imprints are Popcorn Press (fiction) and Pepper Press (books about life).

Contact details:

Review copies: Amy Mack, [email protected]

Author interviews: Trevor Thompson, 0410 628 047