Island Bay United AFC

Welcome back to Shark Park everyone, greetings to Kapiti Coast United and Stop Out who arrive for the main games of the day.

One of the great things about living in the bay is bumping into your mates and people you know around the traps. We start today's monologue at Island Bay New World. My brother pulled a me last Monday when we went shopping, and forgot to get something, so in he pops again, so I wait outside. Twiddling my thumbs.

So there I was, busting a yarn with ex IBUAFC shark Anton De Gregorio when along pops one of our oldest friends, Leo Bertos. Holy shark fin soup it was great to see him, the last time being a dinner we held when Perth Glory came over last year, so we quickly organised for him to come and have dinner with us (Stu Dunn, Natalie and my brother Grant gee you knit) on Wednesday night.

Grant was meant to cook, but he decided to leave to visit our father up the coast on Wednesday afternoon, go figure, so it was up to Bertos and myself to source dinner and cook it. True to Island Bay's eyetalian tradition, Spaghetti Bolognese was the order of the night. And may I add I did a very good job. I am biased.

Well, as per usual I was late (last minute guru here folks) to write this weeks instalment of A word from GUNEZ. When our beloved editor, the man with the sleekest mullet ever to grace a human, Paul Muollo advised me it was due Thursday morning, I thought hey why not get a few words from Leo, in what would be a world exclusive first interview in Wellington, just remember you heard it here first folks. After a great evening of banter and food (he ate that much I lost my lunch the next day!) I recalled there was the need to ask him for some pearls of wisdom, so, short on time and with us both in true AWFG style not taking things too seriously here you go, Wellingtons fastest ever football interview, the questions in bold:

So how are you feeling being back home in Wellington, to play football for the Phoenix?
"Ahh". "How can I just answer that in a few words man, that's not fair?" "But yeah, it's so great, I just don't have enough words to describe it"
Which I didn’t foresee when I asked this question, giving him only a couple words per answer, typical me.
And how do you feel doing yet another one of these question and answer interviews
"ha-ha, yeah it's all good you're doing it mate so no worries"
Its great you are staying with family in Island Bay, do you like down this way?
The rather cheeky response was followed by a quick save on his behalf "it's great, real nice area and close to town and training too" Leo saved himself from a $2.50 bus fare straight outta the bay with that save!!
So what's the story with football for you at the present moment?
"I am doing some rehabilitation work at the moment for a hip injury I got whilst at Perth Glory and will join the main squad training in several weeks, there is a long way to go in the season, so it's important to take it day by day, get it right 1st time."
What are your individual and team goals for the season?
"For the team, to qualify for the playoffs and take things from there, individually, well to play a part in ensuring that happens"
And a tip for teenagers aspiring to professional football?
"You need to be committed to being a professional footballer, there are other job options that come up in life, but you must keep focused and work hard at what is required to succeed, I did some real hard yards man."
Favourite restaurant in Wellington?
"Zico"
Best opponents faced, why?
Leo indicates the players we spoke of earlier in the night in a separate conversation. These players were Joe Cole and Jermaine Defoe who were playing for West Ham as he lined up for Barnsley. "Man, these guys were ahead of their time for their age, amazing, doing moves, they had (created) so much time on the ball, it was amazing". After some further reflection Leo states "the most amazing was the Croatian Robert Prosinecki, who was playing for Portsmouth at the time". Actually Leo waxed lyrical about this guy earlier in the night; Prosinecki is regarded as technically the best Croatian footballer of all time. "Also, Kaka was amazing when we played Brazil, but yeah, definitely Prosinecki"
And playing for the All Whites versus Brazil?
"Well I really should have mentioned Cafu to the previous question as well, but you said keep it to a few words" to which I nod. "Yeah he was amazing, I was named at left wing for that game, he was right back, I tell you I played left back for that game, and he right wing!!" Ha, I would have dealt to him no problem buddy.
And will you make it down to watch the Island Bay sharks at all this season?
"Well, if you and Stu are playing, yeah sure why not. Actually I'm keen to keep watching local football, and I am off to Miramar versus Olympic (his old club) on Saturday but yeah sure I will be down during the season."
Cool, cheers bro,
"Sweet, anytime."

So for now, let us Phoenix fans be re-assured that the feeling is good within their camp and Leo is excited to be back playing where it all began for him, catching up with family and old friends and focussing on making a positive impact on the field. His wife Laura will be arriving in a month for her first trip to New Zealand and Leo is eager to show her around our great country. Lining up with the fans on his side this time is something he is really looking forward to, as he said with a laugh "last year they booed every time I touched the ball". I did lament when the conversation turned round to the fact I would have to pay to watch him play this season, to which I received a good deal of stick from him. It's different I argued from paying to watch mates in Team Wellington, in fact it still sits uneasy with me but we did have a good laugh over the matter! Needless to say I will move quickly to buy my season ticket when given the chance!

It is for me, a pleasure to see Leo, Tim Brown, Tony Lochead and Mark Paston who were players I have been lucky enough to play school, rep and senior football with plying their trade as professional footballers in our city. For those out their good enough, the chance is there.

Later in the season we will have a look at the upcoming A League season. Until then I sadly admit Manchester United are and should be Champions of the English League, however Rangers look good for the Scottish title and Team Wellington have the NZFC final this weekend, make sure you tune in to it on T.V. C'mon you lads!

Don’t forget to shark salute all your goals, let the goals flow freely in the attacking column and good luck to all teams this weekend.

Shark Attack!

Labels: april, leo bertos