KEY POINTS:
To the hundreds of footballers lucky enough to have come under his wing, he was and remains simply "mother". But, to the game as a whole, Arthur Egan is much more.
Yesterday, his efforts over the past half-century - in the boardroom, dressing shed and dugout - were
recognised when he was made a life member of New Zealand Soccer.
Rarely a headline-grabber, Egan is the "roll your sleeves up, get stuck in" volunteer every sport welcomes but rarely finds.
Yesterday's honour came four days after the Auckland City Football Club lauded Egan with a Special Award for Services to Football.
That framed awardpresented by former City coach Allan Jones, featured accolades from players, coaches and administrators.
John Adshead, under whom Egan worked through the 1981-82 All Whites World Cup campaign, was glowing in his tribute.
"Occasionally in life you strike a bit of luck, but very rarely do you find a gem that turns into something special. That was the case for me and the NZFA when we 'found' Arthur," wrote the former national coach.
"Some people called him the kit man ... but they would be wrong, very wrong. He was much more than that. When you talk human resource management he was a genius, he kept our sanity and spirit together."
Former All White Keith "Buzzer" Mackay, whom Egan yesterday jokingly described as the untidiest player he dealt with, took a different tack. "I have always liked Arthur, not because he is shorter than me, but because of the way he puts other people first."
Egan, who was born in Palmerston North but lived most his 70 years in Auckland, never played football but came into administration as the YMCA club delegate to the Auckland Junior Football Association.
Later, at the behest of then chairman Charlie Dempsey, he progressed to the Auckland Football Association's control board. He was with the board for 17 years (1971-1987) and was later accorded life membership of the now-defunct association.
In accepting life membership of New Zealand Soccer, Egan said he felt extremely honoured.
"I feel very humble. You don't do the things I have done looking for honours or dollars," said Egan who cited trips to the World Cup in Spain and last year's Club World Cup in Japan (with City) as highlights.
"I have been very lucky that Margaret, my wife of 45 years, has never objected to the 50 years I have spent in football," he said. "I have had a wonderful 50 years. I have never got into a fight with anyone."
The last word comes courtesy of Oceania player of the century Wynton Rufer's tribute on the City award.
"Without people of your quality, or commitment. the game would simply not be the same beautiful game. On behalf of the thousands of inspired Kiwis we salute you ... soldier, playmaker, warrior and brother ... "
And mother.
