By TERRY MADDAFORD
A little over nine years ago, Ryan Dawkins played as a substitute for Waitakere City in his first national soccer league game, against Hutt Valley United at Western Springs.
On Sunday he plays his 150th league game at City's more recent home ground, Fred Taylor Park, in Massey, against Manawatu United.
In that first season, as a 19-year-old, Dawkins did not have much to celebrate as City finished 10th.
A year on they bounced back to win the league and Dawkins remembers their must-win last game of the season against old foes Mt Wellington as perhaps the most memorable of the 149 games he has played.
Ironically, Dawkins rates the player he replaced just 16 minutes into his debut outing, former All White Glen Adam, the best he has played alongside in more than 10 seasons of senior football.
"I learnt a lot from 'Ernie.' He was so relaxed on the ball and was so supportive," said 28-year-old Dawkins, who like many of Auckland's better players had his start in the Kelston Boys' High School First Xl.
"I was lucky. I have played alongside some good players, like Waitakere stalwarts Rodger Gray and Bruce Cargill."
Asked if he can remember any early goals with City, Dawkins, as honest as ever, said: "In those days I used to get a nose bleed if I got past halfway."
These days he does push forward and has scored a few vital goals - mainly headers from set play.
A nice guy off the field, Dawkins has his problems when he pulls on his boots and crosses the white line.
He reckons he has been sent off four times in league games but has lost count of the yellow cards that have flashed his way.
But he added quickly: "I won't get sent off this year. I'm a reformed player."
He and referees have seldom formed a mutual admiration society but he has a lot of respect for former Fifa whistler John Cameron and rates Gary Fleet, Brian Precious and Bruce Grimshaw as the next best. Others he prefers not to talk about.
As son of Waitakere City founder and formerchairman Rex Dawkins, who is now the Ansett NZ Club Championship manager, Ryan Dawkins was seen as having a silver spoon in his mouth or golden boots.
"I copped a fair bit of that early on," he said, "but when I was voted player's player of the year in my second season that shut a lot of people up."
Waitakere, with two losses in two games, scored their first win, over Christchurch City, last Sunday. Unbeaten Manawatu will be tougher.
In the game of the day, leaders University Mt Wellington are away to Napier City Rovers, while in the other game in Auckland, Metro will play Central at Kiwitea St after Metro's ground was declared unfit.
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Sport
Liverpool’s EPL title challenge hangs by thread after derby defeat
Jurgen Klopp’s side’s loss to Everton leaves room for their rivals to pull away.