Bobby Almond: determination and professionalism

Press, 17 December 1982, Page 20

Bobby Almond: determination and professionalism

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ALISTAIR ARMSTRONG

New Zealand’s success in reaching the World Cup soccer finals in Spain earlier this year probabh - had as much'to do with team spirit and character as playing ability.

Much of the squad’s vitality stemmed from the charisma of the two coaches. John Adshead and Kevin Fallon. but the enthusiasm was just as much personified by its vice-captain. Bobby Almond, who retired from international football earlier this week.

Almond, aged 30. played more than 40 games for New Zealand during a career which began against the England B side at the Basin Reserve in 1978.

As a player, the Londonborn sales supervisor was a model of consistency in the middle of the Kiwi defence, one who could anticipate an opponents moves and the run of play very quickly.

He also had courage, which could be illustrated by such an occasion as New Zealand's Cup qualifying play-off match against China in ' Singapore- earlier this year.

Almond took the field with a painful ankle injury which had required ice-treatment throughout the previous night and a pain-killer just before

the match. Despite this handicap. Almond was at the forefront of New Zealand's efforts to prevent the Chinese from equalising after a free kick had allowed them to come back to 1-2 in the last quarter-hour. It was perhaps fitting that Almond, who retired from top soccer to devote more time to his family and business in Christchurch, stood down when he did. He was keen to leave the international arena on a high note and he could hardly have topped his performance against Brazil in New Zealand's last World Cup match in Spain.

Almond was described as the outstanding player for this country, which was beaten 4-0 by one of the best teams in the world. A report in “The Press" said: "He covered his defence admirably, intercepted with a fine sense of timing, and pulled off the tackle of the match mid-way through the first half to rob Serginho. the big central striker, who was lining up his shot from 12m out."

Aside from his playing prowess, Almond was a popular ambassador for the game. It was typical that he

should spend more than 20 minutes with autograph hunters and other admirers at Christchurch Airport on his return from the victory at Singapore. Almond's impish sense of humour also won him friends and according to Adshead. this was a considerable asset to the national squad on its tough Cup qualifying campaign. "Bobby is one of the veryfortunate players that have a lot of humour." he said. "His strength was that he could hold players together on long trips, and in long stays at hotels, because of his humour." Adshead recalled an incident while the New Zealanders were on tour in Noumea a few yeas ago where Almond's comic touch helped relieve a tense situation.

"We went to Noumea, and I wasn't happy with the players’ accommodation and the players weren't happy with one or two things. But one or two of the players were voicing their opinions a little bit' too loudly in public areas,” he said.

“I called a meeting of the players virtually as we arrived there and I remember

moving into the players and getting them on their own and really giving them quite a bollocking. ’ quite a pasting. "I left the scene then and the next thing is. you have got to tie up: when you have given players a bollocking, you have to re-tie the knot to enable you to get back together with them. "I remember that night, and this was very early in the piece with me as the national team boss, that I'd given them a bollocking. I was walking away from the players when suddenly I turned round and there was Almond. "I said 'yeah?' and he was looking at’ me and cocking his leg and saying (in the style of the ted'dyboy of the British comedian. Dick Emery). dad. have we done it wrong again?' " "He just broke everybody up and the whole little’problem was all forgotten and everybody was more or less saying 'let's get on with the job.' " "But he had that sort of knack—knowing when to approach people with humour and when to be serious."

The gap left by Almond in the national squad would take a lot to fill, the coach said. "You are searching not only for a player of the

ability of Almond but for somebody with the character and professionalism that always backed up his ability. Almond, who rose to national prominence with the Chatham Cup and Rothmans league-winning line-ups of Christchurch United in the

19705. will spend next season playing for Rangers in the southern league. He spent last season with Invercargill Thistle, after a disciplinary row with the United coach. Terry Conley, prompted him to leave that club in 1981.