Some things don’t change in football

THAT WAS THEN: Gisborne City player-coach Ray Veall (right) scampers after the ball in a 1975 national league football match against Christchurch United at Childers Road Reserve. Veall says New Zealand football had the same challenges then as it has now. Herald file picture

DIFFERENT eras, same issues. Former Everton professional footballer and Gisborne City player-coach Ray Veall says the observations of New Zealand team coach Anthony Hudson are the same as those he would have made 40 years ago.

Veall coached Gisborne City in the national league for part of the 1974 season and all of 1975, having come to New Zealand after playing in English, American and South African football.

Hudson was in the national news this week for his comments about the lack of international matches for the All Whites last year, the laid-back culture of the game in New Zealand, and the “delusional” mentality of players seeking professional contracts when they hadn’t properly prepared themselves.

It all sounded familiar to Veall.

“I was taken by Anthony Hudson’s enthusiasm about New Zealand soccer, and I also respect other people’s opinions on his views,” said Veall, a Gisborne City import who still lives in the district, at Wainui Beach.

“Forty years ago I had the same opinions as Hudson has now. Things haven’t changed very much. In fact, we might have been better off 40 years ago.

“We will from time to time produce the odd quality player who goes on to make a career as a professional footballer overseas. But that’s it now and that was it then. Not much has changed.”

Indoctrinated with footballChildren in Europe and South America grew up with football, Veall said. They were indoctrinated in its traditions, taken to big stadiums to see the best players in the world week in, week out, and their families talked about football every day of the week.

“It’s on their doorstep. It’s not on ours.”

The United States was the country most like New Zealand in its approach to football, Veall said.

“We have similar lifestyles, and children can choose from many different sports.”

He said the New Zealand football experience was that of the United States but for three big differences: population, money and location.

“I like the way Anthony Hudson thinks,” Veall said.

“I’m sure his heart is in it a hundred percent. I hope he can find a good batch of players to take us to the next World Cup. It does happen once in a while, but his biggest test will be getting continuity. I hope he finds it but I doubt he will, for the three factors I have mentioned in relation to the US.”

Veall said he enjoyed watching the Wellington Phoenix play in the A-League, but not a lot had changed from his day.

“They still need to bring in overseas players and feed in the locals.”