Outside90’s Connor Clements had the chance to chat to the former New Zealand international.
When and why did you start playing football?
I started playing when I was four. The influence came from my Grandfather and father who are from Europe (Greece) and are both huge football fanatics. I guess its in my blood!
What is the highest quality league you have played in?
The Championship in England.
Who is the best player you have played with?
A midfield player called Deane Gorre when we were at Barnsley. He had played for Ajax and Feyenord previously.
Who was the best manager you played under?
Mark Smith who was my academy coach at Barnsley.
Who was your toughest opponent?
Cafu. We played against Brazil in 2006 and I was left wing and Cafu was right back. He played so high up the field as a right winger and I actually ended up being forced to play as a left back.
What was the most memorable moment of your career?
I have two memorable moments. One was qualifying for the World Cup in 2010. And the other was playing against my hero and idol Ronaldo (The Phenomenon) in 2006.
What club do you feel most loyal to?
I have two. Wellington Olympic (which is a club that many of my family members have been a part of and still are), and the Wellington Phoenix, who I played seven years with.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Do what you love!
How has your playing style evolved with time and age?
I guess I pass a lot more often compared to when I used to try and dribble past everyone when I received the ball. Now I find I am helping organise the team a lot more, especially instructing and directing the younger players during the game.
What is your favourite football league and why?
I enjoy the Spanish La Liga because some of my favourite players to watch are playing in it.
Do you have a favourite team in world football that you follow as a fan?
AC Milan, Liverpool and Real Madrid.
What rule in football would you like to see changed?
I’d like to see extra time taken out and go straight to penalties.
What advice would you could give to an 11 year old who wants to be a pro footballer?
Always play with a smile on your face!
Bill Shankly once said “at a football club, there’s a holy trinity – the players, the manager and the supporters. Directors don’t come into it. They are only there to sign the cheques.” – what do you think?
Directors are a massively important part of the club. Yes they sign the checks but they also sign the coaches and the players and keep the club running.
READ MORE: Former Wellington stalwart Leo Bertos exclusively reflects on his storied career
In your career what gives you the most satisfaction?
Just to have been able to play the game I love professionally for so many years.
Where to next? Futsal, football, coaching? Are you officially retiring as a player?
I am still playing as I love the game too much. I am also looking into coaching, especially in developing younger players.
What was playing for East Bengal like? How did the I-League compare to the Super League?
I didnt realise how much history East Bengal has. One of the oldest and biggest clubs in India. To compare the competitions, the I-League is an actual league which runs for a much longer period than the ISL. The ISL is more like a tournament. This comp has a very similar concept to the IPL cricket where clubs and their sponsors go in auctions to buy players and also look to bring big named international football stars to both play and coach in the competition.
How would you describe your experience of the Indian Football scene? What was it like compared to the A-League?
The A-League is a much more professionally run competition and the standard of football in Australia is much higher.
When did futsal become important to you? How did it feel to play for the Futsal Whites after playing football for the All Whites? What was different about each experience?
I had never played futsal until I was asked to join the national team.
After being involved for that series against Australia, and experiencing how the game is played, especially at that level, I wish I had started playing the game from a much younger age. It is so much fun and its also great for developing your football skills.
You played in each of our three World Cup group stage matches. What were some memorable moments?
Most memorable moment from the tournament was getting a good result against the current world champions Italy (1-1 draw).
Describe your relationship with Ricki Herbet. When did you first work under him?
My first game under Ricki was for the New Zealand under-23s in 2003. I had played under Ricki for around 10 years including with the Phoenix and the All Whites.
What are your thoughts on your time at the Phoenix? How would you describe your time at the club?
I loved my time there and wish I had won the championship during my seven years with the club.
Do you have any other thoughts on each of the moments of your career?
This was my first taste of the A-League. I really enjoyed my time in Perth.
On Non-League Experience post Chester (2005-06)…
This was a tough part of my career when I was trying to get back into the professional game and my only option at the time was to play non-league to continue playing and keep my fitness levels up. It paid off!
On Rochdale (2003-2005) and 2003-04 key goal to ensure league status…
I went to Rochdale for first team experience as I could not break into the first team at Barnsley regularly. I played 2 seasons with the club and at this time was when I began my international career with the All Whites.
On NZ National Team (debut in 2003 against Iran – 2013)…
My first experience of football in Asia. We played the match in Tehran in front of over 60,000 people.
On NZ under-23s (2003-04)…
In this campaign we lost to Australia [in the two-legged final] at home, and drew away to lose on aggregate (after coming through the OFC qualifying tournament in second place) and just miss out on qualifying for the 2004 Athens Olympics.
On Barnsley (2000-2003) and a knee injury…
I spent most of my time in the academy and reserves at Barnsley and trying to break into the first team as a regular starting player. A couple of minor set backs with injury but I never had the chance to get some regular first team experience.
On Wellington Olympic (1997-00)…
I think my debut for the first team was when I was 15. My father was also coach during my years with the club.
On Wellington College (1995-97)…
Great fun playing for my school team. We actually played against Wellington Olympic in the Chatham Cup one year at the Basin Reserve.
How did these experiences shape who you were as a professional?
Throughout my career there have been many tough moments. Times when I was injured for long periods or times when there were changes in managers which affected my playing involvement, and even times when I have been without a club. Believing in myself to get through these tough moments has definitely had a significant impact in shaping not only my career but myself as a person too. A lot of people can only see the good times and benefits for professional athletes especially high profile athletes, when in truth, this is only a small part of the life and career of an athlete.
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