Tributes have been quick to flow for former All Whites coach John Adshead, who was named an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (ONZM) in today’s Queen’s Birthday Honours, for services to football.
Leading the praise was New Zealand Chairman Frank van Hattum, who was delighted for his former coach.
“John led the All Whites to uncharted territory and put New Zealand on the football map,” said van Hattum from FIFA Congress in Mauritius.
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“The Road to Spain captivated the nation and while I was privileged to be a part of it, it’s not until afterwards that you realise what the legacy of that team and what John inspired us to achieve.”
Adshead’s two stints at the helm of the national team saw him in charge for a total of 61 internationals which is still a record, albeit one soon to be broken by Ricki Herbert (60).
His first tenure from 1979 to 1982 was one of New Zealand’s finest eras with the All Whites qualifying for the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain via a then world record 15 match campaign.
The All Whites knocked out Australia and put a record 13 goals past Fiji along the way before beating Saudi Arabia 5-0 in Riyadh to force a playoff against China in Singapore, which they won 2-1.
English born Adshead started his coaching career in Western Australia after injury curtailed his playing career.
In New Zealand, he won promotion to the national league and lifted the ASB Chatham Cup with Manurewa and was coach of the New Zealand Knights in their inaugural A-League season.
As well as his time in Australia, Adshead spent time in Oman serving as the country’s director of youth development for four years and taking the sultanate to the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2001.
Former All Whites coach John Adshead honoured
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