Goalkeeper always on the move
By Hayden Meikle (Otago Daily Times)One member of the Wellington Phoenix has travelled more miles than most on his way to Dunedin for tomorrow's football game. Otago Daily Times sports editor Hayden Meikle spoke to new signing Tony Warner.
Tony Warner has been on the books of 15 clubs, once called Anfield home, trained alongside Liverpool stars like John Barnes, Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman, and has even played international football for Trinidad and Tobago.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper arrived in New Zealand only on Wednesday and was struggling to suppress a yawn when he spoke to the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
But he was jolted into action last week, when he first heard of the opportunity to continue his career on the other side of the world.
"I got a phone call last Tuesday, asking if I would be interested in talking to the Phoenix," Warner said.
"I was lying in bed with the missus. The kids were jumping all over us. It was about 6am. And I just thought, why not?
"I'd been promised a contract elsewhere and that fell through. I was getting a bit frustrated."
Warner, who will be joined in Wellington by his girlfriend and two young children in a few weeks, had never previously been to New Zealand or Australia.
He has known Phoenix star Paul Ifill for a while - the pair played together at Millwall - and knew a little bit about the A-League.
"I've always kept in contact with Ifill. I've known him for about 12 years, I suppose.
"I also know a few other lads who have played in the A-League, and I've heard nothing but good reports about the competition."
Warner is the quintessential nomadic professional. Football has paid his bills but has also kept him on the move since he first joined Liverpool in 1994.
Asked to sum up his career, Warner opted for "eclectic" as the most appropriate term, delivered in a broad Scouse accent.
"It's been interesting, yeah," he said.
"I actually did accountancy when I was younger. Then I got my first professional contract with Liverpool when I was 20."
Warner grew up a fan of Everton but joining great rival Liverpool was still a thrilling and eye-opening experience.
His first manager was Graeme Souness, a legendary Reds player who won several European Cups and league titles, and his early team-mates included Barnes and Ian Rush.
Warner's closest friends were Jason McAteer and David Thompson, while a youngster emerging later in his time at Liverpool was Steven Gerrard.
For Warner, being at Liverpool was at once a satisfying and a frustrating time. He became permanently affixed to the bench, unable to displace No 1 keeper David James, even when "Calamity James" was going through a much-scrutinised rough patch.
"Jamo was a fantastic keeper. Possibly, when he made his mistakes, they were in high-profile games. For some reason, he came in for a lot of unfair stick.
"Jamo and I trained together every day, so we knew each other well."
Warner had a handful of loan spells while at Liverpool before deciding to leave Anfield in 1999.
"I was 25, so I wasn't considered a young player any more. There's a danger of your career slipping away if you are just content to be on the bench.
"I wanted to play. I wanted a career. So I opted to leave and I had a great spell at Millwall."
Warner later spent time at Fulham, Leeds, Norwich, Leicester and Sc**thorpe. His most recent spell was at Tranmere Rovers.
He said he still had a passion for football, and he hoped to play on for some time yet.
"You're a very lucky footballer if everything goes well for you. I've had setbacks. Maybe sometimes I didn't get as many opportunities as I would have liked. But you stick with it, you know.
"You're a long time retired. As long as I'm fit and able, my aim is to keep on playing."
The Phoenix roster already includes a fine veteran goalkeeper in All Whites World Cup hero Mark Paston.
Warner said his aim was simply to work hard and try to push for a place in the team. Off the field, he is looking forward to checking out his new base.
"I've talked to my girlfriend about it. We don't want to get lulled into, you know, spending days off watching the telly.
"We've come all this way. You want to get out and have a bit of a look around. I've always wanted to have a look at New Zealand, but it's just been too far away."
The Phoenix has an open training session at Forsyth Barr Stadium today, starting at 5.30pm. Tomorrow's pre-season game against the Brisbane Roar kicks off at the same time.
