Steve Sumner
Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography
Steven Paul Sumner Template:Post-nominals (2 April 1955 – 8 February 2017) was an English-born, New Zealand footballer who played as a midfielder. He was captain of the national team during the country's first successful campaign to qualify for the World Cup, in 1982. He is also the first New Zealander to score in the World Cup, doing so in the 54th minute in New Zealand's 1982 opening game against Scotland.
Club career
Sumner began his football as an apprentice at Blackpool before moving to New Zealand in 1973 to play for Christchurch United, winning the National League in his first year. Sumner went on to win 6 Chatham Cups and 5 league titles.[1] He is the only player to have won six Chatham Cup winners medals.[2]
International career
His international career spanned from 1976 to 1988, including a record 105 appearances for New Zealand (beating the record previously held by Brian Turner),[3] 58 of which were A-internationals.[4]
An active and attacking midfielder, Sumner scored a national record six goals during New Zealand's 13–0 defeat of Fiji during the 1982 World Cup qualifying campaign. He was also one of New Zealand's only two scorers in the 1982 World Cup Finals tournament in Spain (along with Steve Wooddin), in New Zealand's 5–2 loss to Scotland.[5] He was the first player of the FIFA Oceania zone to score in a World Cup.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
In 1991, he was inducted into the New Zealand Soccer Media Association Hall of Fame[6] and was then awarded FIFA's top award, the FIFA Order of Merit, before the opening of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, along with Johan Cruyff and former South African president Thabo Mbeki.[7]
Career statistics
International goals
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 23 March 1977 | Auckland, New Zealand | Template:Country data TAI | 2–0 | 6–0 | 1978 FIFA World Cup qualification | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2. | 3–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3. | 4–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4. | 26 July 1979 | Nouméa, New Caledonia | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = New Caledonia | flag alias = Flags of New Caledonia.svg | flag alias-FLNKS = Flag of FLNKS.svg | flag alias-local = Flag of FLNKS.svg | flag alias-french = Flag of France.svg | flag alias-1853 = Flag of France (1794–1815, 1830–1958).svg | flag alias-merged = New Caledonia flags merged (2017).svg | flag alias-football = New Caledonia flags merged (2017).svg | flag alias-beach soccer = New Caledonia flags merged (2017).svg | flag alias-futsal = New Caledonia flags merged (2017).svg | flag alias-basketball = Flag of FLNKS.svg | flag alias-baseball = Flag of FLNKS.svg | size = | size flag alias = 43x12px | sizebig flag alias = 60x17px | name = | variant = french | altlink = national football team | altvar = football
}} || align=center|?–0 || align=center| 2–0 || Friendly | |||||||||||||||
| 5. | 25 February 1980 | Nouméa, New Caledonia | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = French Polynesia | flag alias = Flag of French Polynesia.svg | flag alias-1946 = Flag of France.svg | name alias-basketball = Tahiti | link alias-basketball = Tahiti national basketball team | name alias-beach soccer = Tahiti | link alias-beach soccer = Tahiti national beach soccer team | name alias-football = Tahiti | link alias-football = Tahiti national football team | name alias-futsal = Tahiti | link alias-futsal = Tahiti national futsal team | name alias-rugby union = Tahiti | link alias-rugby union = Tahiti national rugby union team | name alias-rugby sevens = Tahiti | link alias-rugby sevens = Tahiti national rugby sevens team | size = | name = | variant = 1946 | altlink = national football team | altvar = football
}} || align=center|1–0 || align=center| 1–3 || 1980 Oceania Cup | ||||||||||||||
| 6. | 25 April 1981 | Auckland, New Zealand | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Australia | flag alias = Flag of Australia (converted).svg | flag alias-1901 = Flag of Australia (1901-1903).svg | flag alias-1903 = Flag of Australia (1903-1908).svg | flag alias-union = Flag of the United Kingdom.svg | flag alias-colonial = Australian Colonial Flag.svg | flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Australia.svg | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Australia.svg | flag alias-naval-1913 = Naval ensign of the United Kingdom.svg | link alias-naval = Royal Australian Navy | link alias-army = Australian Army | flag alias-air force = Air Force Ensign of Australia.svg | link alias-air force = Royal Australian Air Force | flag alias-air force-1948 = Air Force Ensign of Australia (1948–1982).svg | flag alias-air force-1922 = Air Force Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg | link alias-football = Australia men's national soccer team | flag alias-marines=UCP 2RAR.svg | link alias-marines=2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Australia.svg | link alias-navy = Royal Australian Navy | flag alias-military = Ensign of the Australian Defence Force.svg | link alias-military = Australian Defence Force | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | altvar = football | variant =
}} || align=center|3–3 || align=center| 3–3 || rowspan=9| 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification | |||||||
| 7. | 3 May 1981 | Ba, Fiji | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Fiji | flag alias = Flag of Fiji.svg | flag alias-1871 = Flag of the Kingdom of Fiji (1871-1874).svg | flag alias-1877 = Flag of Fiji (1877–1883).svg | flag alias-1883 = Flag of Fiji (1883–1908).svg | flag alias-1908 = Flag of Fiji (1908-1924).svg | flag alias-1924 = Flag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg | flag alias-colonial = Flag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Fiji.svg | link alias-naval = Republic of Fiji Navy | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Fiji.svg | link alias-navy = Republic of Fiji Navy | link alias-military = Republic of Fiji Military Forces | link alias-army = Fiji Infantry Regiment | flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Fiji.svg | flag alias-government = Government Ensign of Fiji.svg | empty = Fiji Warriors | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || align=center|2–0 || align=center| 4–0 | |||||||||||||
| 8. | 16 August 1981 | Auckland, New Zealand | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Fiji | flag alias = Flag of Fiji.svg | flag alias-1871 = Flag of the Kingdom of Fiji (1871-1874).svg | flag alias-1877 = Flag of Fiji (1877–1883).svg | flag alias-1883 = Flag of Fiji (1883–1908).svg | flag alias-1908 = Flag of Fiji (1908-1924).svg | flag alias-1924 = Flag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg | flag alias-colonial = Flag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Fiji.svg | link alias-naval = Republic of Fiji Navy | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Fiji.svg | link alias-navy = Republic of Fiji Navy | link alias-military = Republic of Fiji Military Forces | link alias-army = Fiji Infantry Regiment | flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Fiji.svg | flag alias-government = Government Ensign of Fiji.svg | empty = Fiji Warriors | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || align=center|2–0 || rowspan=6 align=center| 13–0 | |||||||||||||
| 9. | 7–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10. | 9–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11. | 10–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12. | 11–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13. | 13–0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14. | 14 December 1981 | Kuwait City, Kuwait | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Kuwait | flag alias = Flag of Kuwait.svg | flag alias-1844 = Flag of the Ottoman Empire (1844–1922).svg | flag alias-1914 = Flag of Kuwait (1914-1921).svg | flag alias-1921 = Flag of Kuwait (1921-1940).svg | flag alias-1940 = Flag of Kuwait (1940-1961).svg | flag alias-naval-1956 = Maritime Ensign of Kuwait 1956-1961.svg | flag alias-republic-1990 = Flag of Kuwait.svg | size = | name = | altvar = football | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || align=center|1–1 || align=center| 2–2 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 15. | 15 June 1982 | Málaga, Spain | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Scotland | flag alias = Flag of Scotland.svg | flag alias-1542 = Flag of Scotland (traditional).svg | link alias-football = Scotland men's national football team | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || align=center|1–3 || align=center| 2–5 || 1982 FIFA World Cup | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16. | 25 September 1983 | Auckland, New Zealand | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Japan | flag alias = Flag of Japan.svg | flag alias-1870 = Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg | link alias-1870 = Empire of Japan | flag alias-1945 = Flag of Allied Occupied Japan.svg | border-1945 = | flag alias-1947 = Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg | flag alias-ryukyu = Civil ensign of the Ryukyu Islands (1952–1967).svg | border-ryukyu = | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Japan.svg | flag alias-coast guard = Ensign of the Japanese Coast Guard.svg | link alias-coast guard = Japan Coast Guard | link alias-naval = Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force | flag alias-army = Flag of JSDF.svg | link alias-army = Japan Ground Self-Defense Force | flag alias-air force = Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.svg | link alias-air force = Japan Air Self-Defense Force | flag alias-air force-1955 = Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (1955-1957).png | link alias-air force-1955 = Japan Air Self-Defense Force | flag alias-air force-1957 = Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (1957-1972).png | link alias-air force-1957 = Japan Air Self-Defense Force | flag alias-air force-1972 = Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (1972-2001).png | link alias-air force-1972 = Japan Air Self-Defense Force | flag alias-military=Flag of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.svg | link alias-military=Japan Self-Defense Forces | flag alias-marines=Flag of JSDF.svg | link alias-marines=Japanese Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Japan.svg | link alias-navy = Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force | empty = Junior Japan | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || align=center|1–1 || rowspan=2 align=center| 3–1 || rowspan=3| 1984 Summer Olympics Qualifiers |
| 17. | 3–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 18. | 7 October 1983 | Tokyo, Japan | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Japan | flag alias = Flag of Japan.svg | flag alias-1870 = Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg | link alias-1870 = Empire of Japan | flag alias-1945 = Flag of Allied Occupied Japan.svg | border-1945 = | flag alias-1947 = Flag of Japan (1870-1999).svg | flag alias-ryukyu = Civil ensign of the Ryukyu Islands (1952–1967).svg | border-ryukyu = | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Japan.svg | flag alias-coast guard = Ensign of the Japanese Coast Guard.svg | link alias-coast guard = Japan Coast Guard | link alias-naval = Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force | flag alias-army = Flag of JSDF.svg | link alias-army = Japan Ground Self-Defense Force | flag alias-air force = Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.svg | link alias-air force = Japan Air Self-Defense Force | flag alias-air force-1955 = Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (1955-1957).png | link alias-air force-1955 = Japan Air Self-Defense Force | flag alias-air force-1957 = Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (1957-1972).png | link alias-air force-1957 = Japan Air Self-Defense Force | flag alias-air force-1972 = Flag of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (1972-2001).png | link alias-air force-1972 = Japan Air Self-Defense Force | flag alias-military=Flag of the Japan Self-Defense Forces.svg | link alias-military=Japan Self-Defense Forces | flag alias-marines=Flag of JSDF.svg | link alias-marines=Japanese Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Japan.svg | link alias-navy = Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force | empty = Junior Japan | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || align=center|1–0 || align=center| 1–0 |
| 19. | 5 June 1985 | Gisborne, New Zealand | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Fiji | flag alias = Flag of Fiji.svg | flag alias-1871 = Flag of the Kingdom of Fiji (1871-1874).svg | flag alias-1877 = Flag of Fiji (1877–1883).svg | flag alias-1883 = Flag of Fiji (1883–1908).svg | flag alias-1908 = Flag of Fiji (1908-1924).svg | flag alias-1924 = Flag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg | flag alias-colonial = Flag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Fiji.svg | link alias-naval = Republic of Fiji Navy | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Fiji.svg | link alias-navy = Republic of Fiji Navy | link alias-military = Republic of Fiji Military Forces | link alias-army = Fiji Infantry Regiment | flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Fiji.svg | flag alias-government = Government Ensign of Fiji.svg | empty = Fiji Warriors | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || align=center|?–0 || align=center| 3–0 || rowspan=2| Friendly | |||||||||||||
| 20. | 7 June 1985 | Auckland, New Zealand | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Fiji | flag alias = Flag of Fiji.svg | flag alias-1871 = Flag of the Kingdom of Fiji (1871-1874).svg | flag alias-1877 = Flag of Fiji (1877–1883).svg | flag alias-1883 = Flag of Fiji (1883–1908).svg | flag alias-1908 = Flag of Fiji (1908-1924).svg | flag alias-1924 = Flag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg | flag alias-colonial = Flag of Fiji (1924-1970).svg | flag alias-naval = Naval Ensign of Fiji.svg | link alias-naval = Republic of Fiji Navy | flag alias-navy = Naval Ensign of Fiji.svg | link alias-navy = Republic of Fiji Navy | link alias-military = Republic of Fiji Military Forces | link alias-army = Fiji Infantry Regiment | flag alias-civil = Civil Ensign of Fiji.svg | flag alias-government = Government Ensign of Fiji.svg | empty = Fiji Warriors | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | variant =
}} || align=center|?–0 || align=center| 2–0 | |||||||||||||
| 21. | 5 October 1985 | Auckland, New Zealand | {{ Template:Yesno | alias = Chinese Taipei | flag alias = Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg | flag alias-Paralympic = Chinese Taipei Paralympic Flag.svg | flag alias-univ = Flag of Chinese Taipei for Universiade.svg | flag alias-football = Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986–2010).svg | flag alias-beach soccer = Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986–2010).svg | flag alias-futsal = Flag of Chinese Taipei (Olympics; 1986–2010).svg | flag alias-football-old = Former Chinese Taipei Football Flag.svg | flag alias-blizzard-esports = Chinese Taipei esports flag.svg | size = | name = | altlink = national football team | altvar = football | variant =
}} || align=center|3–0 || rowspan=3 align=center| 5–1 || rowspan=3| 1986 FIFA World Cup qualification | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 22. | 4–1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 23. | 5–1 |
Later life and death
After retiring Sumner maintained his involvement in football, being employed by TVNZ as a media personality. More significantly he sat on the executive board of the Wellington Phoenix bringing much needed professional playing experience to the table. In August 2015, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, from which he died on 8 February 2017, aged 61.[8]
Steve Sumner Trophy
In 2018 New Zealand Football named the Man of the Match trophy for the New Zealand Football Championship final after Sumner, calling it the "Steve Sumner Trophy".[9][10] It was first awarded to Callum McCowatt after he scored the only goal in Auckland City 1–0 win over Team Wellington in the final. McCowatt won it a second time the following year, this time while playing for Eastern Suburbs, where he scored a hattrick in the finals, again against Team Wellington.[11]
Honours
Individual
- Player of the Year: 1983[12]
- Golden Boot: 1983[12]
- FIFA Centennial Award in 2004
- FIFA Order of Merit: 2010[7]
- Friends of Football Medal of Excellence 2015[13]
- Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit (for services to football), 2016 Queen's Birthday Honours[14]
- IFFHS Oceania Men's Team of All Time: 2021[15]
Club
Christchurch United
- National League: 1973, 1975, 1978, 1988
- Chatham Cup: 1974, 1975, 1976, 1989
Manurewa
- National League: 1983
- Chatham Cup: 1984
Gisborne City
- Chatham Cup: 1987
References
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External links
- New Zealand 1982 World Cup squad
- Planet World Cup interview
- Steve Sumner – FIFA competition record (archived)Template:EditAtWikidataTemplate:WikidataCheck
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- Pages with script errors
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- 1955 births
- 2017 deaths
- English expatriate men's footballers
- English men's footballers
- English emigrants to New Zealand
- Expatriate men's association footballers in New Zealand
- National Soccer League (Australia) players
- Naturalised citizens of New Zealand
- New Zealand men's international footballers
- New Zealand men's association footballers
- West Adelaide SC players
- Manurewa AFC players
- Gisborne City AFC players
- Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit
- Christchurch United players
- Newcastle KB United players
- Men's association football midfielders
- Deaths from prostate cancer in New Zealand
- 1980 Oceania Cup players
- 1982 FIFA World Cup players
- New Zealand expatriate sportspeople in England
- Footballers from Preston, Lancashire
- 20th-century English sportsmen
- 20th-century New Zealand sportsmen