Football: 'It's been a challenge' - All Whites legend Grant Turner reveals cancer battle after tough year

(L-R) Kevin Fallon, Grant Turner and Kenny Cresswell of the winning 1982 All Whites squad gather before the FIFA World Cup Qualifying match in 2009. Photo / Getty Images.

Forty years since he made history in one of New Zealand's greatest sporting fairy tales, legendary footballer Grant Turner is facing new challenges.

By any measure, Grant Turner has had a tough 12 months.

The former All White, who was one of the key figures in the fabled team that reached the 1982 Fifa World Cup, has been "battered around", with a series of challenges that might have floored others.

The past year should have been a time for reflection – four decades since those memorable qualifying matches in Auckland, Sydney, Jakarta, Beijing, Kuwait and Riyadh that stopped a nation – but Turner has had no time for looking back.

He has had to deal with a frightening cancer diagnosis, then endure a painful 'reverse' shoulder reconstruction, after his right shoulder, which had already been replaced 16 years ago, simply wore out.

Turner describes the pain after that operation as "probably the worst I have ever had", which is notable given he has been through two knee replacements and multiple dislocations of his left shoulder, which has also been reconstructed.

But the 62-year-old's message is one of hope, perspective and optimism.

"It's been a challenge but I'm staying positive," Turner told the Herald. "I look at some of the other stuff that is going on in the world, it is worse than anything I have experienced, so I brush it off. What I have experienced has taught me a lot. I cherish every day, enjoy every day that I can."

"The one thing people need to know is that your family and health are the most important things in your life. Number one. Work and other items become secondary."

Turner's world changed on December 7 last year, with a phone call from his doctor.

"When they say, 'can you bring your wife', you know it is serious," says Turner.

After a reconstruction of his left shoulder in 2019, Turner had noticed a small lump under his arm, but figured it was a reaction from the operation.

"I didn't think anything of it – neither did the medical people," said Turner.

But his wife was concerned, and a few months later Turner eventually got a biopsy, which led to the meeting in the doctor's office.

"When he turned around and said, 'you have got cancer', my reaction was unprintable," admitted Turner. "They found I had melanoma cancer in my lymph nodes in my arm."

With the lump now 4cm by 7cm, Turner had surgery within three weeks, to remove the lymph nodes, then five weeks of intense radiation treatment.

"It's a scary time but what changes that mindset is the people that are treating you," says Turner. "I can't speak highly enough. They are just magnificent people. From the surgeon to the people doing the radiation, the nurses...they were just amazing. I don't believe they get paid enough."

Once cancer cells manifest in the lymph nodes, they can spread through the lymph system, but in this case the operation was successful.

"They have to get it and cut it out before it moves and I was fortunate it hadn't gone anywhere else," says Turner.

Turner is now in remission. He has scans and skin checks every three months, CT scans twice a year and avoids all unnecessary exposure to the sun.

"There is a chance it can come back," says Turner. "I have an uncomfortable arm, but I am healthy and hopefully it stays away."

The experience prompted Turner to get his family together, so they can "look after each other". His mother has moved to Tauranga to live with them and his daughter (and grandchildren) are down the highway in Ohope.

"It certainly brings a whole lot of things into perspective," says Turner.

Turner carries the scars of a punishing football career, with two new knees and shoulders.

"They love me when I go through airport scanners," he laughs.

Turner retired from the All Whites in 1988 – after a heavy concussion against Israel at Eden Park – but continued with club football until 2002, when he was 42.

"I shouldn't have," says Turner. "The body was failing badly, but the brain wasn't saying that. I could still make a difference. I played far too long, but I wouldn't change it for one minute."

When he was player-coach at Stokes Valley, Turner remembers his brother regularly coming on the field to put his dislocated shoulder back in, while he could unlock his knee as a "party trick".

But Turner, who regularly features when all time New Zealand XI's are discussed, will always be remembered for his deeds wearing the Silver Fern. After making his debut in the famous 4-0 win over Mexico 1980, the Hutt Valley product soon became one of the first picked.

Grant Turner attacking the goal as New Zealand beat Indonesia 5-0 in an elimination game at Mt Smart Stadium for the 1982 Soccer World Cup, 23 May 1981. Photo / Anthony Phelps

There was an undoubted physical side to his game, but also so much more, and only striker Brian Turner managed more goals than his eight on the Road to Spain.

"I was given the role as an enforcer, as well as getting forward," says Turner. "I was able to play a bit as well, but I didn't pull out of any tackles either. People see me as that hard man – which is frustrating. I was given a job; I was damn good at it. Did I enjoy it? Yeah…and no."

But talk to scribes of the day, or teammates, and conversation will turn to the skill, the work rate and the goalscoring instinct.

His most famous goal was the second against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in May 1981, which sealed the most important transtasman win in All Whites history.

It has been replayed endlessly over the years, a favourite Minties moment, as Turner defied gravity to power home from 15 yards, to finish a brilliant team move.

Coach John Adshead describes it as the greatest headed goal he has seen, as Turner hung in the air for an age.

"The goal was great, but it was more the relief that we were 2-0 up, with six minutes to go," said Turner. "I would hate to be remembered just for that goal. People still talk about it, and I still enjoy watching it. But I would like to be remembered as a football player for the ability and skills that I [had] and the effort that I put in."

Turner also scored a vital goal in front of 95,000 people in Jakarta, and against Australia at Mt Smart, among others, while his wholehearted approach endeared himself to Kiwis across the sporting spectrum, fascinated by this fearless 21-year-old taking on the world.

Overall, his strike rate in 'A' internationals topped one every three games, and he pulled on the All White shirt 71 times.

"I'll always remember the friendship that I gained with the players," says Turner. "Such a great bunch of people to be with."

A serious ankle injury, which ruined his dreams of playing in Spain and hopes of a European contract, was a cruel stroke of fate.

"That was all I wanted to do, be a professional footballer," says Turner. "My world collapsed."

It was hard, but Turner eventually moved on, and has an unmistakeable sense of pride about his career.

But now it is about looking forward.

"The world throws up challenges," says Turner. "But you know the old saying, challenges are just opportunities in disguise. I certainly never laid down when I was playing, and I am not going to lay down now.

"I'll fight every minute and I think that is the attitude people need to have. I'm still strong, I'm still fit and I'll keep doing what I believe in."