Soccer: Born with football in their blood

By TERRY MADDAFORD

It was inevitable Steven Turner and James Pritchett would play together for the Football Kingz.

After all, they have spent most of their football careers in each other's company.

Born a day apart 20 years ago on opposite sides of the world - Turner arrived on June 30 while his father, Brian, was in Spain on World Cup duty, and Pritchett a day later at Watford, North London - they first played together in the Auckland under-13 representative side.

Despite different club allegiances - Pritchett at Waitakere City where his father, Keith, played and coached, and Turner at Eden, the club from which his father played the first of his 102 internationals - the pair have been almost inseparable.

They continued to play in Auckland age group teams, in the first XI at Auckland Grammar (they were accepted as out-of-zone pupils) and for the New Zealand under-17 team at the 1999 world championships where both featured in a memorable 1-0 win over Poland.

They even went to Britain together in search of a professional contract, spending four months at Aberdeen.

"Nothing came of that," says Pritchett, who then turned out for Waitakere City while Turner spent time at Marconi in his search for an NSL contract.

Then they trained their sights on the Football Kingz.

There were no promises, no contracts, no money - just the opportunity to train and take their chances.

"Even when we missed the cut, we kept on in the hope of maybe getting something for next season," says Pritchett.

Six games into the season that has all changed.

Turner has had a start, against Wollongong, and a couple of games off the bench.

Last Sunday in Adelaide, Pritchett got his chance - and took it with both feet.

Then, 14 minutes from time, Turner came on to join his mate, as they chased an equaliser.

Pritchett quickly showed out as a player with pace. He credits his days at an athletic club for that.

He also has a useful right peg. His father, who played more than 200 games for Watford, had the deft left foot.

Turner says he has worked on his pace, but prefers a "get and give" midfield role, much like his father did in his time with Mt Wellington, Brentford and the national side.

Being "sons of" has its moments, but both admit the pros far outweigh any cons.

"Sure, we get it all the time," says Turner. "But it doesn't bother us. A lot of older people talk about dad's playing days, often saying we play a similar type of game."

Pritchett says his father has always been supportive.

"I have learnt a lot from him, although he has never coached or pushed me. Even now he is always happy to help out if I ask."

Both agree the encouragement has played a part in their progress.

"Dad will usually say something like, 'You had a very good game ... but'," says Turner.

Thriving in the environment at the Kingz, both look forward to more game time.

"Ken [Dugdale] and Stu [assistant coach Stu Jacobs] have been really good in bringing young players through," says Pritchett. "Now I have been given my chance, I'm determined to make the most of it."

Turning out alongside players who are contracted for the season makes no difference.

"We were told to bide our time," says Turner. "It is up to us to stick at it. We were given the chance to train fulltime, but with no promises."

Pritchett agrees: "It's not about money at this stage. We have to prove ourselves. We have been brought up the right way. Now we just have to keep our heads down."

Both have the next international step - a place in the under-23 team who will try to qualify for the 2004 Olympics - as their most pressing aim.

Beyond that?

"The All Whites are at the back of our minds," they say, without any hint of big-headedness.

Their feet remain firmly in their boots and on the ground.

FACT FILE


JAMES PRITCHETT

Born: 1/7/82, Watford, England.

Position: Right back/midfield.

Honours: NZ under-17.

Clubs: Waitakere City, Football Kingz.

NSL games: 1.

STEVEN TURNER

Born: 30/6/82, Auckland.

Position: Central midfield.

Honours: NZ under-17.

Clubs: Eden, Waitakere City, Football Kingz.

NSL games: 3.