Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Gavin Wilkinson Wilkinson on hairstyles… Diegos: "The Four Diegos are always impressed with players wanting to look their best. We noticed with great interest, your new braided hairstyle against Carlton recently. Who inspired the new look? Was it your guitar strumming old foe, Marconi striker, Francis Awaritife? Was it your teammate, John Markovski's unnatural attraction to Whoopi Goldberg? Or was it to impress your coach, Bernd Stange, who we all know, is a staunch Bob Marley fan? Wilkinson: " I know that Bernd is a Bob Marley fan so that had a little bit to do with it. But l was actually trying to look like former New Zealand international, Robbie Ironside. I failed because he's still twice as ugly as me." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Did you feel like giving your earnings back after the game, and what was it like beating the Socceroos?" Wilkinson: " Normally if New Zealand beat the Socceroos, generally it's as a result of a bit of luck that's gone our way. The last time we beat Australia was 19 years ago but I felt, on this occasion, we deserved to win. It was good to win because when the Glory boys try and stir me up l now have the final say. The only negative is that l think every Australian referee hates me now." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: " Its looks certain that your Trans Tasman soul brothers, the Auckland Kings, will be admitted into the Ericsson Cup next season. For you personally, will it be a case of blood being thicker than Swan lager, where you'll take it easy on them, when you play them or will you try to send them back home with their sheep tails between their legs? Wilkinson: " The aim is to send them home with their sheep's tails tucked firmly between their legs. I think whenever you play, you've got to play to win. When you play against people you know and played with all your life its even more rewarding when you beat them because you've always got that one thing over them. Anyway, l think the Swan lager over here is a lot better than the staunch New Zealand brew, Lion Red. There's no way that blood is thicker than Swan Lager." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: " The vociferous, colourful Glory fans, in the club's relatively short time in the league, have earned a great reputation, turning up in big numbers every week. Do you think Kiwi supporters back home will turn up to watch the Auckland Kings in similar numbers and who, in your opinion, would win a chanting competition between Glory supporters and Kiwi supporters?" Wilkinson: " Last time we played against Australia in New Zealand we had a crowd of 23,000 people at a great venue. If the Auckland Kings can get half that number, and l firmly believe they can, they may well be able to get a bit of noise going. Having said that, l don't think anyone can outdo the Perth supporters. Northern Spirit have tried but they haven't been able to create the same atmosphere." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999
Diegos: " They say when you go to the movies with your Glory and Kiwi beanstalk teammate, Danny Hay, he makes you look so short that you can get in for half price. You and he have struck up a great understanding on the field. Is it because you play both club and international football together?" Wilkinson: " We played club football in New Zealand together and have represented New Zealand exactly the same number of times. When he first came over to Perth he stayed with me for a year and l think over time we have developed a great understanding of one another. This has definitely helped on the playing field." Soft Sombrero Moment 1999 |