Soccer: Veteran after third crown

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Ten years after his first Chatham Cup triumph, Geoff Gray is just two wins away from a coveted hat-trick.

Gray, younger brother of former All Whites defender Rodger, was in the Waitakere City side who won in 1994 (1-0 over Wellington's Olympic) and 1995 (4-0 over North Shore United - with Gray scoring twice) and which without him, went on to make it three in a row in 1996.

Those were glory days for the West Auckland club.

Under coaches Keith Pritchett and Steve Cain they ruled the roost.

With their three Cup victories (also runners-up in 1999) and five National League titles in seven years between 1990-1997, they were the team of the 1990s.

The pickings have been lean since, although with the sheriff - long-time head honcho Rex Dawkins - back holding the reins, Waitakere United are preparing for a return to the big time as one of the eight licence-holders for the new-look National League.

A fourth cup in the cabinet would be a welcome fillip. Gray would like to be part of both.

In his earlier days he played in midfield. With strikers of the ilk of Noel Barkley, Thomas Edge and Darren McLennan there was no room up front. At the back they had Rodger Gray, Danny Hay, Ivan Vicelich, Ryan Dawkins and Neil Woodhams.

The midfield offered Geoff Gray a cosy option but he was still sharp enough to win the National League's Golden Boot (as leading goalscorer).

He grabbed a couple of hat-tricks along the way but was deprived of a four-goal haul in one match against arch rivals North Shore United when bundled over by Dawkins in a clash which knocked out a couple of teeth.

"They were great times,"said Gray as he prepared this week for two wet training sessions before tomorrow's semifinal against Palmerston North Marist at Fred Taylor Park.

Gray had a taste of representative football during that time, playing a couple of times for Auckland including a trip to Australia.

After the 1995 season, he had a year overseas. He returned for 18 months before living and working in the UK for four years from 1998.

Since his return he has pulled rank and played up front.

He even gets to take the penalties these days, something he had to leave to Cain and Woodhams in earlier times.

Now 32 and with his own accountancy/tax consultancy and with wife Leanne expecting their first child in February, Gray plays it very much by ear.

"I think the new league with just eight teams is the way to go," he said.

"I'll wait and see whether I feel I have another couple of seasons in me.

"Summer soccer should be good but there are other things to do at that time of the year."

Regarded throughout his career as one of the sport's good guys, Gray has rarely been offside with the officials - until this season when, for the first time, he watched as a red card was flashed by "Fletch" - a referee with a quick-draw reputation.

A "mistimed tackle" was how Gray described it.

The Tommy Mason-coached "Westies" must overcome a spirited Palmerston North side tomorrow before setting their sights on the big one.

It will not be easy, but Gray will do his best to join his team-mates in staking a claim for a slice of Chatham Cup history.

GEOFF GRAY

Born: June 29, 1972, Auckland

Clubs: Waitemata, Te Atatu, Blockhouse Bay, Lynn Avon, Waitakere City.

Representative honours: Auckland.

Honours: National League Golden Boot/Northern Premier Golden Boot; won National League (3), Chatham Cup (2) - all With Waitakere City.

Position: Striker.