Soccer: I still have plenty in reserve says Banks

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Man-of-the-moment Campbell Banks would love to hear his name read out in the Football Kingz' starting line-up - but not yet.

Called in to boost a club in crisis, Banks, who celebrated his 23rd birthday and first appearance (as a substitute) with a goal in a heart-breaking 2-1 away loss to the Melbourne Knights on November 23, is still short on aerobic fitness.

"I know that if I started I would not last 90 minutes," Banks said.

"I do want to start, but only when I know I can play the whole game. I normally pride myself on my fitness."

And he is prepared to work at it.

While the rest of the squad had a day off yesterday, Banks headed for a sustained workout in the pool.

On Monday, he opted for a longer run than usual as part of his build-up.

"I don't want to look sloppy because I'm not fit."

Swimming, running and even training around Auckland is a big call for Nelson-born and bred Banks.

A more than useful volleyball player - good enough to captain Nelson College and play for the South Island - Banks opted for football. He first kicked a ball as an eight-year-old.

"It seemed for a time I was attracting more attention with my volleyball, but I knew soccer was always going to win out."

Under former All Whites midfielder Colin Tuaa, Banks made his debut at Nelson Suburbs, later moving to Miramar, Central and along the way the New Zealand under-23 side who played South Africa.

He scored twice in his national league debut - as a 70th-minute substitute to help Nelson recover from 2-4 for a 4-4 draw with Dunedin Technical.

The step up to the Kingz has not been easy. "I want to fix my weaknesses," Banks said. "I know I did not give myself a real chance last [national league] season.

"The combination of being a student, not enough sleep and a diet not as good as it should have been led, I'm sure, to the cramping which worried me for much of the season.

"Increasing training from two or three times a week to fulltime will hopefully help to harden my calves.

"I'm really enthusiastic and keep saying to myself, 'Imagine what I could achieve if I was doing this all the time'."

Banks is enjoying what he is doing - especially scoring goals.

"I know there are more to come. Without shooting my mouth off, I feel I can get much better."

Banks has a special affinity with children. He worked as a teacher's aide with special-needs children at Miramar Central School and keeps in touch by e-mail with teachers and children there.

He did the same work at Three Kings School on his arrival in Auckland, and this year did a design course at the Unitec polytechnic.

"It was not really for me. That, injuries, food poisoning and trips to the doctor disrupted my season.

"Now I'm determined to give it my best shot. Unlike study, you can't put football on hold. Your body does not wait for you."

And the significance in lifting his Kingz shirt to reveal a T-shirt emblazoned with "Kyle" when he scored that goal in Melbourne?

"I dedicated my first goal to my son Kyle, who will be two on March 17," Banks said.

"It is not something I will do every time, but on that occasion it was November 23, my 23rd birthday, my debut and my first goal for the Kingz.

"He is on my mind," was all Banks wanted to say.

All the Kingz fans want is for Banks, who was offered a fulltime contract by the club yesterday, to add to his goal tally, preferably starting with Friday night's match against Newcastle United at Ericsson Stadium.