Herbert joins Wolves

Press, 26 October 1984, Page 32

Herbert joins Wolves

NZPA Newcastle The New Zealand soccer international, Ricki Herbert, yesterday signed a two-year contract with the English second division side, Wolverhampton Wanderers. The 23-year-old sales representative, who plays for University Cowan in Auckland, expects to join Wolves towards the end of the year to become the first New Zealand-born regular in a British league side. A clearly delighted Herbert said that playing professionally in the home of

soccer was “something I’ve always wanted to do’’. He would not say how much the contract was worth, but admitted it was about three times what he earned in his regular job back home. The offer to join Wolves came from the club’s manager, Mr Tommy Docherty, who was in charge of the Australian club Sydney Olympic when Herbert spent a season with the team. He said the contract would leave Herbert free to play for New Zealand in the

World Cup campaign beginning next year. Herbert said he had got on well with Docherty when he played in Australia. “Before he went back to England he said if anything came up he would give me a call.” The centre back said when the offer came he told Mr Docherty he was not interested in joining Wolves on a trial basis because he had too much to lose in New Zealand if things did not work out. Docherty agreed and offered him a two-year contract.