Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Gareth Naven Naven on the phenomenon of Perth Glory… Diegos: " You're a veteran of Sandgroper soccer. You've been playing in Perth for so long that it seems that when you started, the Fremantle Doctor was still in medical school. Did you ever imagine that soccer would take off in Perth the way it has with the Glory? " Naven: " I always thought soccer was a sleeping giant in Perth. It took us a long time to get into the national soccer league and it's proving a great success. The Perth people are coming out in force and supporting a very good team." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: " You were part of the Perth Kangaroos team that played in Asia prior to the formation of Perth Glory. Should playing in Asia be part of Ericsson cup vision for the future?" Naven: " It would certainly extend the boundaries of the competition. The bigger the scope for our game the better off Australian soccer will be. Obviously these decisions are made by Soccer Australia and the administrators, not the players." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: " Of the following three celebrated Western Australians which would best describe Perth Glory coach, Bernd Stange's coaching style? (a) Fiery Mal Brown - throwing wayward coat hangers and swinging haymakers. (b) Salacious Rose Hancock Porteous - iron fist in velvet glove. (c)The forgetful Alan Bond - brilliant strategist in tight situations. (d) Sports commentator, George Grljusich - a ranter and raver." Naven: " I think Bernd's approach would include parts of each of the 4 people above. He is neither one nor the other. He knows when to be fiery, when to implement the velvet touch, a Rose Hancock as you guys put it and when to adopt a strategic Alan Bond approach." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: " How would you describe your leadership style…. (a) Marilyn Monroe - 'I love you guys' approach. (b) The Wiggles - 'Come on Boys and Girls, do as l do' approach. (c)The Four Diegos - ' Boys, you do the hard work while l rest ' approach. (d) Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky - 'Come on boys let's entertain the public ' approach?" Naven: " If l adopt the Bill Clinton approach l could be in a bit of trouble. I'm a person who likes to get down and do the job and get on with it. Perhaps that, in a way, is the Bill Clinton approach. I like to get out on the park, make sure we get the points and do the business. Whether at home or away I want to walk away with the 3 points. " Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: " You are highly regarded in the Ericsson Cup as an industrious midfielder of great quality. Do you think being loyal to the Western Australian cause and not moving to a club in the eastern states has affected your chances of Socceroo selection?" Naven: " I haven't ever really considered Socceroo selection. My family is here in Western Australia and l love Perth. It's great that Perth did eventually get into the league. If the club didn't get into the league, l would've seriously considered moving to a club in another state because l probably wouldn't have been fulfilled playing in the WA State league. I know I'm biased, but l think WA is the best state, so why would l ever want to move?" Soft Sombrero Moment 1999 |