Soccer: Adshead takes Mason on board

Tommy Mason

John Adshead is backing Tommy Mason's fighting spirit in hauling him on board as assistant coach at the New Zealand Knights.

"I received CVs from Australia and Germany as well as New Zealand," Adshead said in confirming Mason's appointment yesterday. "I know what I need and I felt Tommy offered that."

Adshead, the Knight's manager, said he did not have any fears the appointment would rekindle negative thoughts associated with the Football Kingz despite Mason's role with the old club.

"Tommy had five or six years with non-league clubs in England. There is no better grounding than that. With the Kingz I thought he did a very good job in difficult circumstances."

Adshead said he had considered other likely candidates including Ricki Herbert, Stu Jacobs and Chris Milicich but in the end had gone with Mason. He did not consider his 1982 World Cup partner Kevin Fallon.

"I'm hoping to talk to big Kev. I hope I get terrific support from him, especially when looking at young players.

"But between us we are now 46 years older. It is time to move on, but if Kevin Fallon has anything to say to me on football, I'll listen.

"We had two years we will never forget. It [the partnership] was very right at the time.

"Now, I'll talk to anyone who I feel has something to offer, be it the Rufers, Turners, Sumners, Herberts or Almonds of this world."

Adshead and Mason begin work tomorrow night watching the first of three New Zealand Football Championship matches in 48 hours.

Adshead said he had already had calls from players keen to join.

"They asked if they could talk to me. My response was they can talk to me for 90 minutes every time they pull on their boots to play."

While Adshead has signed a contract with the new club, he said he was not tied to a specified term.

"The contract is, as far as I'm concerned, for as long as this football club wants me. I'll set my own standards and look at my performance.

"On December 4 we have a three-week break. During that time I will sit down and see what I feel I have or have not achieved. If I feel I'm not doing what I set out to do, I'll say it. If I feel I can't do the job I have been given, I'll stand up and be counted.

"I have my own self pride," Adshead said. "I suppose, in many ways, John Adshead's reputation is on the line. There are no guarantees but I can say categorically I will do everything to produce the very best football team I can.

"We are entering this new league with the intention of winning it. It has never been a thought of mine to go in just to make up the numbers.

"We have to go in with high expectations."

Tommy Mason

* Born: Fulham.
* Date of birth: June 19, 1960.
* Came to NZ (first time): 1982.
* Clubs (in NZ): Tauranga City, Papatoetoe, North Shore, Metro.
* Clubs, as coach (in NZ): Mt Wellington, Waitakere City, Football Kingz.
* Honours: All Whites (6 matches) 1986, 1990.