World Cup All White hangs up his shirt

By MARK GEENTY - The Dominion Post
Last updated 06:59 19/07/2010

In terms of career highs, Andy Barron reckons he'd struggle to top a World Cup draw with Italy and a souvenir shirt from one of their stars.

So he has retired from all football and will stroll to work today as Andy Barron, senior operations administrator at Westpac, farewelling his days as a global media phenomenon.

"It was always my intention [to retire] after the World Cup, so I went in knowing that. I thought, `Why not go out on a high?' I'm 30 this year so it's as good a time as any," he said.

"It's everyone's dream, and to say I played in it now is just a huge thing that will always be there, that I can tell the grandkids about. It was just a massive time; awesome to be a part of it."

Barron returned from his magic carpet ride in South Africa with golden memories and a prized footballing possession: Italian defender Gianluca Zambrotta's shirt.

All Whites coach Ricki Herbert injected the midfielder – who made headlines as the only amateur at the tournament – for the final four minutes of their 1-1 draw with Italy.

Barron found himself standing next to the veteran defender at the final whistle. "I thought it would be prudent to ask for his shirt. That's a brilliant one to get. He's a top player and had a great career.

"I didn't know if he spoke English, so I just said `Shirt? Yep, cool.' I just said, `Best of luck for the rest of your games,' and he said the same back."

The shirt will be framed and will take pride of place on Barron's wall.

And when Barron says retirement, he means retirement. Not even the tempting offers to chug though the Memorial Park mud for Petone in midwinter will see him lace up the boots again.

"They have called several times but I went and watched them and it just doesn't look fun on those paddocks, the way they are in Wellington at the moment."

Barron's announcement was greeted with surprise by some, but he said the decision was a no-brainer.

He had time for nothing other than work and football in the past year so will look forward to spending more time with partner Christine Tofts, his family, and renew friendships he has "neglected".

Having taken 10 weeks' leave last year and nearly another 10 so far this year, he wants to repay his employers in his role overseeing a $1billion investment portfolio.

"They've been brilliant to me. I owe it to them to crack into my career now."

It's been a wild ride since the November night last year when the All Whites toppled Bahrain in Wellington to reach the World Cup finals. Barron had no idea that The Dominion Post's photo of him ironing his shirt before returning to work would catapult his name around the world.

"I really didn't think it was a big deal. We'd had two nights out after the game and I woke up literally five minutes before that photo was taken. The photographer rang and said, `I'm just about here' and I was still in bed. The photo went all around the world. It just went crazy."

It saw him interviewed by a major Italian television station in South Africa, other European networks, and feature in print stories in Britain, Australia and the United States.

For now he is awaiting his cut of the team's Fifa payout for reaching the finals, and potentially working towards a coaching career.

And he isn't the only All White to confirm his post-World Cup retirement at the weekend.

Goalkeeper and fellow Wellingtonian James Bannatyne, 34, will hang up his boots after playing his 100th game for Petone this weekend.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/sport/football/3931549/World-Cup-All-White-hangs-up-his-shirt/