By Terry Maddaford
Steven Turner's soccer career could have been over before he had kicked a ball.
As an eight-year-old, proudly wearing gear given to him by his grandfather, Turner joined hundreds of youngsters at the Eden club on opening day but promptly took fright and went straight home.
It was another three
years before he plucked up the courage to return.
On Wednesday the nerves will be of a different kind when he joins his New Zealand team-mates in the opening game of the 1999 Fifa world under-17 championship against the United States.
Sitting proudly in the grandstand at North Harbour Stadium will be his father Brian - one of only two players to play more than 100 games for the All Whites.
Steven Turner was born to play football. That he plays in the same central midfield position as his father is purely coincidental.
Being the "son of" is never easy, but Turner has learned to live with that in fashioning his own career.
From being the "quiet one" - unlike his father - Steven has adapted his game to suit the demands of international football.
"I was a quiet person but now I'm completely the opposite," said Turner, who admits his approach has changed after a year with under-17 boss Kevin Fallon. "The tour to South America confirmed the need to be quicker and more aggressive.
"I'm really looking forward to the tournament. Playing against the best players is the best way to really improve your game."
He is also aware that he will be under the microscope.
"First off I want to be a footballer. We know there will be scouts watching our games and we have to make the most of the chances the tournament gives us."
Team-mate David Mulligan is already on the books of English first-division club Barnsley, and will take Jeremy Christie and Allan Pearce back with him for trials, Keith Pritchett - a former All Whites coach and long-time defender with Watford - has already made approaches in England for Steven and his son James to have time there.
"Steven is very dedicated to his football and has worked really hard on his fitness," said Brian Turner.
"It is now up to him to see what he can do. He and James are good mates, so it makes sense they should go over together, but there is no hurry. They will go back to school next year and wait and see what happens."
