University of Newcastle Professor John Maynard wrote the book, which is called The Aboriginal Soccer Tribe.

As well as North, it features Jets midfielder Kasey Wehrman and former Newcastle Breakers player Travis Dodd.

‘‘I like to write unknown histories and Aboriginal involvement with soccer is an unknown story,’’ Professor Maynard said.

The author’s interest in the game stems from an early age.

‘‘I grew up at Adamstown, close to Rosebuds’ ground and I used to spend a lot of time there as a kid in the ’60s,’’ he said.

He played for Rosebuds, Highfields Azzuri and West Wallsend.

The book contains the revelation that Aborigines played football ‘‘with a round ball’’, before white man arrived.

They played a form of ‘‘keepy-uppy’’, with the aim of keeping the ball off the ground, and games lasted for hours with ‘‘50 to 100 men a side’’.

Balls were made of possum skin, charcoal, leaves, roots and kangaroo sinews.

The book details ups and downs of North’s career, including his time in South Korea.

Apparently he could not have the name ‘‘North’’ on the back of his shirt because of tensions between North Korea and South Korea.

The book tells that Wehrman’s Aboriginality stems from his father.