Steve Sumner revealed

The captain of the fabled 1982 All Whites side; Steve Sumner, has taken the time to reply to your questions from Question Time.

Steve's answers are below. Steve and some of the members of that '82 side will be at the Backbencher pub in Wellington on Saturday pre-match.

Most memorable international footballing moment and most memorable goal?

Playing Brazil in 1982 was magical, they were outstanding and a game I will always treasure. We were so primed up for that game understanding they were the best in the world and we were mere minnows in comparison.

The goal was probably the one I got against Scotland in the same World Cup finals as it was the first goal anyone from Australasia had scored at the World Cup. I remember Danny McGrain passing the ball back to his keeper (Alan Rough) but he dropped it short and the keeper didn't come out quick enough. I got there first and managed to tuck it under Rough and as I was sort of falling over him the ball popped out the other side. I could hardly miss and managed to score. If I'd missed it would have been a minties moment forever.

As a member of arguably NZ's greatest club side ever - Christchurch United in the 70s and early 80s (sorry Mt Wellington!) - what are your thoughts on the current state of club football in NZ ... or more specifically, what needs to happen to improve the profile and coverage of domestic club football in NZ?

It will never be the same now as most players who are any good are usually playing pro football somewhere around the world or at the Phoenix. The NZFC is (for me) a very good development ground for up-and-coming young players. One that stands out is Costa Barberousos, I saw him come on for Wellington with about 20 minutes to go aainst Canterbury when he was 15 and I could see he had something special back then. He took up some great positions, took people on, had plenty of pace and had the confidence to shoot on sight.

Do you feel the current crop of All Whites could do with a bloody good moustache? It seems the starting 11 would fail to grow a decent moustache between them.

Yeah they were the days eh! It seems like half of our team had facial hair, in fact when Bobby Almond trimmed his beard down to a 'tash his mates used to call him 'Little Magnum'!!

Bring back the 'tash!

Whats your view on the OFC and NZF, do you agree that a move to Asia is good for the game in NZ or its pure susperstition based only by a minor group of locals in Wellington?

When Aussie joined up with Asia it opened things up for New Zealand at all levels male or female so though we'd like to see more competitive games played for our All Whites, our age group teams are playing in just about all the World Cup finals and so are the women and girls. For me that is what it's all about, can you play in World Cup finals. All our players will be vastly more experienced and will have great memories that will live with them forever. If things change next time and we have to play through our region and then join up in the earlier rounds in Asia that would be OK too.

If the All Whites do make it to the World Cup how do you think they will do? Think they would perform better than the class of '82?

I hope our blokes get through, I'll be there at the ground along with about 15-20 of our 82 guys including Adsy and Fallon all cheering our guys along. If they get through they can gain some confidence for our exploits as we played in a so called group of death against Brazil, the Soviet Union and a Scotland side that we have not seen the likes of since. We did something Aussie hadn't done at that stage, score goals in the finals.

What do you think of http://www.ryos.co.nz/productdetail.aspx?catid=41&productid=486?

I presume you're talking about the t-shirt produced by the Yellow Fever called Sumner Lovin, it's a hard case and a privilege to think someone wanted to put my face on a shirt. When Guy Smith asked me earlier in the year I thought it was a wind up. I just picked up 10 shirts from Guy yesterday as my family (here in NZ and overseas) want one. So you'll see them in Christchurch, Bondi and Preston Lancashire as well as Wellington!

And no I don't have 10 kids, my brothers and sister family are asking for one.

I still have a biscuit tin commemorating the 1982 All Whites. Do you still have yours?

Yes, my wife has collected a few, friends keep giving us them when clearing stuff out !!!

Do you think there should be an under 23 side in the NZFC?

Haven't given that much thought really. Maybe I would prefer that the under 23s were distributed through the teams already in there.

 You are friends with John and Sarah Cameron from Queenstown aren't you?

Yes, we meet up with John and Sarah at Christmas time at glendhu bay motor camp. We've been going there for maybe 15 years or more, with John and Sarah camping close by for the last couple of years. John's always got the chilly bin packed with goodies.

Obviously, the road to qualification in 1982 was difficult, and to make the finals was a huge achievement. How do you think it compares it to the current squad? Would you say it's easier or harder to qualify in the current age?

Back in the dark ages (our time, ha ha) we had to play more games and I wouldn't want it any other way. As we played our games the public took more and more notice with each passing game and as we became better players with each game the public seemed to grow with us.

It doesn't matter now that our current crop are playing less games, all that matters is they win through and enjoy all that is the greatest sporting tournament on the planet.

Did John Adshead have inspiring pre-match speeches to fire you up? What was the most memorable?

John was a great man manager and brilliant motivator, he knew exactly how to wind you up and saying the right things at the perfect time, whether to lift you up or bring you back to earth. I always enjoyed working with John and he is a great friend.

All the best, wear white this weekend and cheer the All Whites on to victory.

Take care

Steve Sumner

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