Soccer: Prodigal son back in favour

As a kid Rory Fallon spent morning after chilly morning kicking a soccer ball around a bumpy park in Mairangi Bay on his own while his father Kevin put a group of promising young players (boys and girls) through their paces.

Eventually Fallon became part of the group, showing out as a player with some skill. He went on to play at Rangitoto College and then Mt Albert Grammar before, as a brash 16-year-old he packed his boots and headed to England where he signed apprentice forms with Barnsley.

There were many who were gob-smacked by Fallon's decision to turn his back on his homeland and with it the chance to play under his father in the New Zealand team at the 1999 World Under-17 Championships.

Fallon, through his father's British heritage, was eligible to play for the "Old Country". And he did. Over a three-year period he played in the England 17s, 18s and 19s, scoring a few goals along the way.

But, such is the talent pool, Fallon soon found his international opportunities drying up.

Under old Fifa rules he was heading down a dead end road. For years they decreed that once a player had played for a country at any level that was it.

A recent rule change - one which allows Australian Tim Cahill to now play for his adopted country after playing one match for Samoa as a youngster - has thrown Fallon a lifeline.

Named by new All Whites coach Ricki Herbert in his expanded squad from which the team to play the Socceroos in a one-off match in London on June 9, Fallon is looking forward to playing for New Zealand.

"I'm excited. It's an international call-up. It's where I was born. It's my country," said Fallon, 23, from Oxford. "It's nice to be asked. When Ricki and [assistant coach] Brian Turner asked me if I was interested, I said if you want me to be part of your plans I'm more than happy to do so."

Fallon accepts he is never going to play at senior level for England. His only chance is with the All Whites but he wasn't exactly sitting by the phone waiting to be asked.

"But I was not going to ring New Zealand Soccer and ask if I could get a game, was I? But I had always thought there was a possibility," said Fallon. "I always thought I would like to play international football again. Realistically, I knew it would be with New Zealand rather than England."

Now, once the red tape is sorted out and he gets the tick of approval, that seems certain.

Fallon has other ambitions beyond an international call-up.

"I still want to play in the premiership. It is a long hard road especially for a striker but if I keep my head down and work hard who knows? I'm still enjoying the life as a professional footballer. I'm still learning - every day. Even while on the bench for the first half of the season."

Latterly, he has been in the starting Xl for Swindon Town. In his first game back he played only 30 minutes as a substitute but was still named man of the match which he has won twice since.

Herbert and Turner see Fallon's call-up as part of their new broom approach.

Herbert has no problem with Fallon's earlier decision to turn his back on New Zealand in opting to test himself on a far bigger stage.

"I applauded his decision at the time," said Herbert. "It was the right move then. Now we see him as part of our long-term planning. The sooner we get him into the frame the better."

New Zealand Soccer has to be applauded for handing the reins to Herbert, Turner and Stu Jacobs.

Their refreshing approach can only be good for the game. Hopefully they will get opportunities beyond this first-off chance against Australia. They, Fallon and others deserve it.

Rory Fallon

* Born: March 20, 1982, Gisborne.
* Schools: Rangitoto College, Mt Albert Grammar.
* First senior game (national league): North Shore United (aged 15).
* Last team played for in NZ: Mt Albert Grammar.
* To England: 1998.
* Represented England: at 17, 18 and 19 age-group levels
* English clubs: Barnsley (100+ appearances), Swindon Town.
* Lives: Oxford.