Page 522 - NUAFC EBook

in the English language - "Good morning. I am your
new neighbour."
1982-87, 1990, 1993
McSporran was born in Greenock and known as He turned up for training at the AFFCo
a young lad by the name of Bostick but eventually ground with Billy McCaig's 3rd Division side but was
graduated to Uhu as he never let go of the ball. quickly spotted by Dave Hall and moved into the Northern
League side.
Johnny Mac played as a junior for Port Glasgow John has always tried to emulate his idol, Sir
Rangers first as an amateur then as a semi-pro. He
became involved in county teams and was offered trials with Stanley Matthews, the wizard of the dribble, but so far
has only managed to get his shirt-front wet!
Everton and Coventry.

The Tail o' The Bank off Greenock is where sea
vessels do their speed trials over the measured mile and John
was discovered there water-skiing behind the QE2.
He came to NZ in 1975 and turned out for 1977-84, 2012
Hamilton the year they won the Air New Zealand Trophy. Alias Power Pole and (how original) Clutch.
He transferred to Courier Rangers for a season in '78 then Jason played football for Otorohanga College, then
bounced back to Hamilton. He accompanied the All Ngaruawahia High then Fairfield College (not all at the same
Whites on their 1979 international tour. time). He then spent five seasons with Narra in the
Arriving at Narra in '82 on a Penalty Scholarship he Northern league, spending one of the matches in
was soon warned that if he missed any more Hamilton position as a replacement upright when a goalpost broke.
could have him back! John was easily distinguished on the He balanced his soccer with squash, tennis and table
field by his spring-heeled walk and his soft Scottish tennis and was a very unflappable opponent, except when
brogue saying "Kick it wi' ye heed, Jock!" and advising the beaten by his father Malcolm at Table tennis (or when
referee on the finer points of football. someone eats his jandals).
One of his time honoured quotes was made in 1982 His boyhood idols were Stephen (his brother) and
after Narra's 7-1 win over Point Chevalier - "The game Donald Duck. As a Surveyor he was invaluable to his
could have gone either way, until I scored the sixth!". firm as they used him as the sighting pole when working in
deep valleys.
He was always accompanied by his best friend
Paddlefoot, a cat of no resemblance.
1979-83

John is known nationally as Ivan the Terrible JEFF TOZER
and started soccer in Primary School with Waikeria
1977-86, 1992-95, 2001-03, 2009-12, 2016-18
Old Boys. The human bulldozer, nicknamed Rooter when
His playing experience included Tech Old Boys 12 years old.
(Hamilton) 1970, NZ Railways 1971, Wanderers 1972-
74, Fraser 1975-77, Narra 1978, back to Fraser, back to Played for Claudelands Rovers at 15 for two
Narra, back to Wanderers, back to Narra, back to seasons and stated for AFFCo Rangers way back when
back and back to bed! He has had more transfers than they were boy scouts. Rangers won the first Cambridge
the tattooed lady! Tournament in 1971 a n d w e r e s c o r n f u l l y c a l l e d
He was a solid defender with attacking 'Dreamers'.
flair, and teamed well with Dick Plume. Those two Jeff was a fitness freak gaining his running style
toothless wonders put the fear of the devil into opposing from the Roadrunner cartoon characters.
strikers when they grinned as they looked somewhat like a He can to Narra when the Club amalgamated
couple of gargoyles from a cathedral facade. with AFFCo. After one year he moved back to
Known for his total commitment to the game, Claudelands where he promptly broke his
John could often be heard advising the referee how the collarbone and had to sit the season out. He still top scored
game should be played. Due to this he has had more with one goal!
bookings that Air New Zealand! Back with the Green Machine the following year
He coached the Ladies in 1980 where his choice of Jeff played in every position conceivable, plus a few we
word made even them blush. He transferred the skills he never heard of. He has coached the Ladies team, the
learned from Tweedy Pie & Sylvester movies to his charges Waikato Women, has been Club Captain and Club
and nearly cut his career short by almost accepting the President.
stand-in job as Belker on Hill Street Blues. A brief fluffy with a hairdresser brought him
offs from the Robinson Jam Company to feature his as the
JOHN CYPLES golliwog on their jar labels.
A powerhouse player with a strong shot, he just
1981-85 revelled in the chances to go twin striker with Mike
Born in Stoke-on-Trent John was soon to be Heappey so they could compete in seeing who could knock
known to one and all as Cyclops. He played for the Stoke the most pine cones off the trees behind the goal.
3rd team as an amateur and as semi-pro for Sandbach
Ramblers in the Cheshire League.
He learned his soccer in the pottery factories in
Stoke, kicking the clay forms off the potters wheels. His STEVE WILLIAMS
turn of speed came from dodging the missiles thrown by
the irate potters! 1977 -8 9
Arriving in NZ in July of '81 as a refugee of the Droopy Drawers was born in Liverpool and
Ugandan influx into Britain following a new immigrant played as a defender, having proved a disaster at any other
introducing himself to John with the seven deadliest words
position in the team. His fullback role was one in which

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