Soccer: Playing for Nix no pipe dream

Jason Hicks' first goal for the Phoenix proved the winner in Newcastle last week. Photo / Getty Images

In a few months, Jason Hicks has gone from trench to bench, from digging trenches to starring off the bench.

Last Sunday, Hicks came on as substitute to score an eye-catching goal for the Phoenix, sealing a vital three points against the Newcastle Jets. However, this time last year, you would have found the 24-year-old knee deep in mud and pipes, in his former life as a plumber. Hicks worked from 7am to 5pm and, as a rookie, tended to get the rough end of the stick.

"Some days, it was tough," says Hicks. "It was always pretty hard on the body, a physical job. It isn't much fun spending half the day digging a two metre hole while you're looking for a burst pipe in the ground and then having to train in the evening."

Trades run in the family (his brothers are builders) and he had "just about" given up on his professional footballing dream before his surprise call-up to the Phoenix.

"As time goes by, you realise your chances are decreasing," says Hicks. "It's a reality. There are always young guys coming through, so if you don't get picked up, you need to have something else to fall back on."

Hicks first caught coach Ernie Merrick's eye playing for a New Zealand A selection against the Phoenix in a pre-season match in September. Invited to trial, he did enough to earn a two-week contract as an injury replacement for Louis Fenton. He impressed as a substitute in the first two A-League rounds, particularly the second against the Western Sydney Wanderers, enough to earn a two year contract.

"Looking back, it was pretty amazing - like something out of a dream," says Hicks.

"One week, I was working as a plumber; the next week, I was a professional footballer."

Hicks, who will be part of the Phoenix team against a resurgent Melbourne Heart today, had early chances to impress in his footballing career. Aged 17, he had an extended trial at Sheffield Wednesday, then in League One and one of England's oldest professional clubs.

"I spent three months there," says Hicks. "It was hard but a good experience - you learn a lot in such a competitive environment."

He also represented New Zealand at the 2007 Under-17 World Cup in South Korea, a tremendous if slightly painful, experience.

The young Kiwis were beaten 7-0 by Brazil (featuring Manchester United fullback Rafael and his twin Fabio, now at Cardiff), 5-0 by England (whose team included Danny Welbeck, Victor Moses and current All White Tommy Smith) and 1-0 by North Korea.

"It was memorable but obviously very tough," says Hicks, whose team-mates included Kosta Barbarouses and a 15-year-old Chris Wood. "Rafael really stood out; he was in a different class and is one of the best players I've ever played against."

The New Zealanders shared their hotel with North Korea, who were surrounded by legions of security due to fears some may defect.

Hicks also helped the Oly Whites qualify for the 2012 Olympics, though ultimately wasn't part of Neil Emblen's squad in London. He also steadily persevered in the ASB Premiership with Waitakere United, Waikato and Auckland City, and was part of Auckland's foray to the Fifa Club World Cup in 2012.

"It's a big step up from the ASB Premiership but it is possible," says Hicks. "There have been a few of us recently, which is positive."

Former Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert seemed reluctant to look at New Zealand-based players for most of his reign, preferring to sign journeyman Australians, even for the youth spots, famously claiming in 2011 that he had never had a phone call from a ASB Premiership coach to recommend a player.

In his last season, helped by the creation of the Phoenix academy, Herbert brought talents such as Tyler Boyd and Louis Fenton into the Phoenix mix.

That process has accelerated considerably under Merrick, with Albert Riera, Roy Krishna, Matt Ridenton, Alex Rufer and Hicks all recent ASB Premiership alumni. In all, there are 12 ASB Premiership graduates at the Phoenix.

"Now with Ernie here, getting a chance seems a lot more possible," says Hicks. "Everyone in the ASB Premiership dreams of playing in the A-League but before, it was very difficult. New Zealanders aren't going to get picked up by Australian clubs [Kiwis are classed as import players in Australia, even though the same rule doesn't apply for Australians at the Phoenix], so the Phoenix is a crucial option."