Soccer: Award leaves Sumner stunned

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Former All Whites captain Steve Sumner has joined some of the sport's greatest players in being recognised by world governing body Fifa as part on their centenary celebrations.

Sumner was left speechless when told that he was to receive a Fifa Centennial Order of Merit in recognition for his contribution to the game here.

Only one medal has been awarded to each of the 205 Fifa nations, although fellow New Zealander Charlie Dempsey has been honoured for his work with the Oceania Football Confederation.

Nominated by New Zealand Soccer, Sumner is joined on the list of recipients by great players including Hungary's Ferenc Puskas, Dutch star Johann Cruyff and Portuguese hero Eusebio.

Former Australian captain Johnny Warren has also been honoured.

Sumner has been acknowledged for his role as captain of the 1982 World Cup team, as the player with most caps for New Zealand (105), his off-field work as a former NZS board member, his stint with Oceania and his time spent with the sport's promotional body, The Centre Circle.

"I'm very humbled by this," Sumner said in Christchurch yesterday. "I don't do what I have done in the game for this reward. I had my time in the sun. It has been a pleasure. It was not like anything I have done has been a chore.

"My kids will love it, my 75-year-old dad won't believe it."

Dempsey was presented with his medal at the recent Fifa centenary function in Paris.