1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,547 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,027 Speaker 1: from Newstalk ZB. 3 00:00:13,227 --> 00:00:16,707 Speaker 2: Is coming to New Zealand. Tottenham Hotspur will headline the 4 00:00:16,787 --> 00:00:21,707 Speaker 2: first New Zealand International Football Festival. They will face Auckland 5 00:00:21,787 --> 00:00:25,587 Speaker 2: FC on Sunday, the twenty sixth of July at Eden Park. 6 00:00:25,667 --> 00:00:30,787 Speaker 2: General tickets on sale on Tuesday from midday from Tickertech. 7 00:00:31,427 --> 00:00:36,587 Speaker 2: Ledley King is Tottenham Hotspur Royalty, widely regarded as one 8 00:00:36,587 --> 00:00:40,507 Speaker 2: of the Premier League's most naturally gifted defenders, A one 9 00:00:40,547 --> 00:00:43,667 Speaker 2: club man who came through the youth system and spent 10 00:00:43,787 --> 00:00:47,947 Speaker 2: his entire professional career at Tottenham, making more than three 11 00:00:48,107 --> 00:00:51,507 Speaker 2: hundred appearances and captaining the club for much of the 12 00:00:51,547 --> 00:00:54,427 Speaker 2: two thousands. He helped Tottenham lift the League Cup in 13 00:00:54,467 --> 00:00:57,627 Speaker 2: two thousand and eight, played in the Champions League and 14 00:00:57,787 --> 00:01:01,787 Speaker 2: earned twenty one caps for England, including matches at euro 15 00:01:01,907 --> 00:01:05,267 Speaker 2: two thousand and four and the twenty ten FIFA World 16 00:01:05,267 --> 00:01:09,227 Speaker 2: Cup in South Africa. Today he is a club ambassador, 17 00:01:09,547 --> 00:01:12,427 Speaker 2: with his legacy as one of Tottenham's finest modern era 18 00:01:12,547 --> 00:01:17,427 Speaker 2: defenders remaining firmly intact. Ledley King is in New Zealand 19 00:01:17,547 --> 00:01:20,627 Speaker 2: as part of this announcement and joins us in studio. 20 00:01:20,667 --> 00:01:23,587 Speaker 2: Thanks for popping in Ledley. How excited are you about 21 00:01:23,587 --> 00:01:26,107 Speaker 2: bringing Tottenham to New Zealand. 22 00:01:26,667 --> 00:01:27,787 Speaker 3: Yes, it's really exciting. 23 00:01:28,427 --> 00:01:30,387 Speaker 4: You know, I'm the lucky one that gets the opportunity 24 00:01:30,387 --> 00:01:32,827 Speaker 4: to come out here and announce it, you know, before 25 00:01:32,827 --> 00:01:36,027 Speaker 4: the team do. And yeah, my first time in New Zealand. 26 00:01:36,067 --> 00:01:38,707 Speaker 4: It's been fantastic and I know how much the team 27 00:01:38,747 --> 00:01:40,787 Speaker 4: are really looking forward to coming out here and playing 28 00:01:40,787 --> 00:01:41,787 Speaker 4: in front of a new audience. 29 00:01:41,907 --> 00:01:45,067 Speaker 2: Spurs have a massive global fan base and you've got 30 00:01:45,107 --> 00:01:47,227 Speaker 2: a little taste of it yesterday at the official announcement 31 00:01:48,307 --> 00:01:50,627 Speaker 2: with Spurs fans turning out. How important is it to 32 00:01:50,747 --> 00:01:53,627 Speaker 2: connect with those fans physically as well as having them 33 00:01:53,627 --> 00:01:56,107 Speaker 2: obviously tuning in from all four corners of the world 34 00:01:56,147 --> 00:01:57,707 Speaker 2: when you play games in North London. 35 00:01:57,787 --> 00:02:00,627 Speaker 4: Yeah, listen that the players are well aware of our 36 00:02:00,667 --> 00:02:04,187 Speaker 4: fan base around the world and it's important for us 37 00:02:04,227 --> 00:02:05,987 Speaker 4: to be able to give back to them, you know, 38 00:02:06,107 --> 00:02:08,627 Speaker 4: not to stay in our little comfort zone back in 39 00:02:08,707 --> 00:02:10,827 Speaker 4: the in the UK, but to make sure we explore 40 00:02:10,907 --> 00:02:13,067 Speaker 4: and tried to give our fans a chance to see 41 00:02:13,067 --> 00:02:15,187 Speaker 4: the players up close and personal, you know, and while 42 00:02:15,227 --> 00:02:16,707 Speaker 4: we're out here, it won't just be about the game. 43 00:02:16,747 --> 00:02:18,827 Speaker 4: We'll be you know, we'll be out in the community. 44 00:02:18,947 --> 00:02:21,267 Speaker 4: We'll be out, you know, getting involved in the culture, 45 00:02:21,787 --> 00:02:22,947 Speaker 4: and that's something that we always do. 46 00:02:23,907 --> 00:02:25,867 Speaker 2: It must be quite cool for you to turn out. 47 00:02:25,867 --> 00:02:27,907 Speaker 2: I mean you could probably turn up anywhere and have 48 00:02:27,987 --> 00:02:31,827 Speaker 2: your song sung at you by by Tottenham. It probably 49 00:02:31,827 --> 00:02:33,947 Speaker 2: happens in London a lot, but downtown Auckland on. 50 00:02:33,867 --> 00:02:36,067 Speaker 4: A Yeah, you know what, it never sees this to 51 00:02:36,147 --> 00:02:39,387 Speaker 4: amaze me. I was in Austin a couple of weeks 52 00:02:39,387 --> 00:02:43,627 Speaker 4: ago and it just really shows how kind of small 53 00:02:43,707 --> 00:02:45,427 Speaker 4: the world is at the same time and how so 54 00:02:45,547 --> 00:02:50,187 Speaker 4: connected we are in today's age. Yes, so I've got 55 00:02:50,227 --> 00:02:54,107 Speaker 4: an amazing reception yesterday with my song that the fans 56 00:02:54,147 --> 00:02:56,307 Speaker 4: though all around the world, and you know, it just 57 00:02:56,347 --> 00:02:57,947 Speaker 4: makes me feel so at home. And I know the 58 00:02:57,987 --> 00:02:59,427 Speaker 4: players will as soon as they come out here and 59 00:02:59,467 --> 00:03:02,147 Speaker 4: they see that the fans, they'll love it. 60 00:03:02,307 --> 00:03:05,027 Speaker 2: Gus Club obviously means a lot to you. Three decades 61 00:03:05,107 --> 00:03:06,787 Speaker 2: worth of your life has been at the clubs for 62 00:03:06,907 --> 00:03:09,747 Speaker 2: the academy, the first team and now an ambassador. What 63 00:03:09,827 --> 00:03:11,307 Speaker 2: does it mean to you to be able to continue 64 00:03:11,307 --> 00:03:13,747 Speaker 2: your legacy in an ambassadorial role. 65 00:03:13,947 --> 00:03:17,387 Speaker 4: Yeah, it's been fantastic because you know, the opportunity for 66 00:03:17,427 --> 00:03:20,267 Speaker 4: me to actually go out and really engage and meet 67 00:03:20,267 --> 00:03:22,627 Speaker 4: the fans is something that's you know, it's great for 68 00:03:22,707 --> 00:03:25,747 Speaker 4: me because you know, I went through some tough times 69 00:03:25,747 --> 00:03:28,147 Speaker 4: with my injuries, and it was always the fans that 70 00:03:28,747 --> 00:03:30,787 Speaker 4: their support that kind of kept me going and kept 71 00:03:30,787 --> 00:03:34,667 Speaker 4: me driving to keep my career going. So now to 72 00:03:34,667 --> 00:03:36,627 Speaker 4: be able to travel the world and kind of meet 73 00:03:36,667 --> 00:03:39,907 Speaker 4: these meet these fans, speak to them, shake their hands, 74 00:03:40,147 --> 00:03:42,107 Speaker 4: it's something that's really important to me and I'm blessed 75 00:03:42,107 --> 00:03:42,667 Speaker 4: to be able to do it. 76 00:03:42,747 --> 00:03:44,867 Speaker 2: Well, we've alluded to there is as the chronic knee 77 00:03:44,867 --> 00:03:48,227 Speaker 2: injuries that really affected you, but then at the same 78 00:03:48,267 --> 00:03:50,547 Speaker 2: time didn't seem to affect you. You played at this 79 00:03:50,707 --> 00:03:54,547 Speaker 2: level despite the knee injury. How mentally tough was it 80 00:03:54,587 --> 00:03:55,387 Speaker 2: legally to start with? 81 00:03:55,667 --> 00:03:58,587 Speaker 4: Very very I think, you know, I had this my 82 00:03:58,667 --> 00:04:01,107 Speaker 4: last major operation at twenty six years old, and I 83 00:04:01,107 --> 00:04:03,707 Speaker 4: should have been, you know, entering my prime as a player. 84 00:04:03,747 --> 00:04:06,107 Speaker 4: But instead, you know, I realized I was not going 85 00:04:06,107 --> 00:04:08,907 Speaker 4: to be player that I hoped I could be, which 86 00:04:08,987 --> 00:04:10,467 Speaker 4: was to be one of the best in the world. 87 00:04:11,667 --> 00:04:13,827 Speaker 4: So then it was about just making sure that I 88 00:04:13,947 --> 00:04:17,067 Speaker 4: was an important influence on my teammates, making sure that 89 00:04:17,107 --> 00:04:19,467 Speaker 4: when I'm playing, we're a better team, regardless of my 90 00:04:19,507 --> 00:04:22,787 Speaker 4: own performance, but making sure now that I am making 91 00:04:22,787 --> 00:04:26,147 Speaker 4: sure that when I'm in the team, the man next 92 00:04:26,187 --> 00:04:27,827 Speaker 4: to me, the man in front of me, are performing 93 00:04:27,827 --> 00:04:30,587 Speaker 4: at their best levels. And you know, I managed to 94 00:04:30,587 --> 00:04:32,107 Speaker 4: do that for five years. I even went to the 95 00:04:32,147 --> 00:04:34,787 Speaker 4: World Cup in twenty ten, four years into not training, 96 00:04:35,347 --> 00:04:37,187 Speaker 4: which is a bit of a crazy story, but it's 97 00:04:37,187 --> 00:04:38,627 Speaker 4: one of them things that when you look back now, 98 00:04:38,667 --> 00:04:41,627 Speaker 4: you say, how did I do that? But it was 99 00:04:41,667 --> 00:04:44,227 Speaker 4: definitely tough, tough mentally not to be around your teammates 100 00:04:44,227 --> 00:04:45,067 Speaker 4: on a daily basis. 101 00:04:45,107 --> 00:04:46,467 Speaker 3: You know, I didn't train from week to week. 102 00:04:46,827 --> 00:04:48,747 Speaker 4: You know, I spent my time in the gym, in 103 00:04:48,787 --> 00:04:52,147 Speaker 4: the swimming pools, recovering from you know, money would swell 104 00:04:52,187 --> 00:04:52,867 Speaker 4: up after a game. 105 00:04:52,987 --> 00:04:54,667 Speaker 3: So it was tough. 106 00:04:54,747 --> 00:04:57,187 Speaker 4: But the love of football, the love of being out 107 00:04:57,227 --> 00:04:59,947 Speaker 4: on the pitch and helping my teammates, the direction I've 108 00:04:59,947 --> 00:05:02,267 Speaker 4: got from the fans whenever I was in you know, 109 00:05:02,307 --> 00:05:03,987 Speaker 4: when my name was read out in the team sheet. 110 00:05:04,467 --> 00:05:06,187 Speaker 4: They were all the little things that kept me going. 111 00:05:06,387 --> 00:05:08,787 Speaker 2: It's remarkable, but I would imagine playing in the Premier 112 00:05:08,867 --> 00:05:10,267 Speaker 2: League at one hundred percent. That's hard. 113 00:05:10,307 --> 00:05:10,747 Speaker 3: Yeah, it is. 114 00:05:10,827 --> 00:05:13,467 Speaker 2: It is, you know what you've just outlined there. I 115 00:05:13,467 --> 00:05:15,787 Speaker 2: mean you talk about mentally, but physically as well. How 116 00:05:15,827 --> 00:05:19,387 Speaker 2: were you able to prepare your body for the physical 117 00:05:19,507 --> 00:05:23,507 Speaker 2: rigors of the Premier League not even training with the team. 118 00:05:23,587 --> 00:05:26,347 Speaker 4: Yeah, I mean, as I say, I spent a lot 119 00:05:26,387 --> 00:05:27,747 Speaker 4: of time in the gym just trying to keep my 120 00:05:27,827 --> 00:05:34,427 Speaker 4: muscle strong. I couldn't replicate running, so that was the 121 00:05:34,427 --> 00:05:36,507 Speaker 4: difficult part when I was playing, and I would break 122 00:05:36,507 --> 00:05:39,707 Speaker 4: down with muscle injuries every three or four games or so, 123 00:05:39,707 --> 00:05:42,027 Speaker 4: so that was a tough part. 124 00:05:42,667 --> 00:05:43,147 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was. 125 00:05:43,427 --> 00:05:45,627 Speaker 4: You know, it's hard to explain how I how I 126 00:05:45,667 --> 00:05:48,867 Speaker 4: did it. As I said, I had to be very 127 00:05:48,907 --> 00:05:51,267 Speaker 4: mentally strong. I had to kind of convince myself that 128 00:05:51,307 --> 00:05:54,547 Speaker 4: the fitness levels didn't matter. I was playing football and 129 00:05:54,547 --> 00:05:56,387 Speaker 4: I knew how to play football. I had to really 130 00:05:56,427 --> 00:05:59,147 Speaker 4: convince myself that it wasn't about how fit I am, 131 00:05:59,627 --> 00:06:02,187 Speaker 4: how fast you can run, It's about you know, how 132 00:06:02,227 --> 00:06:03,987 Speaker 4: you read the game, how you see where the ball 133 00:06:04,027 --> 00:06:06,027 Speaker 4: is going to end up. And that's the way I'm 134 00:06:06,067 --> 00:06:07,107 Speaker 4: kind of you. 135 00:06:07,227 --> 00:06:09,067 Speaker 2: Lead the team for a long time as well, what 136 00:06:09,227 --> 00:06:12,147 Speaker 2: kind of captain were your vocal were lead by example? 137 00:06:12,867 --> 00:06:13,227 Speaker 1: More and more? 138 00:06:13,347 --> 00:06:14,147 Speaker 3: Lead by example? 139 00:06:14,187 --> 00:06:15,787 Speaker 4: I think I was one of them them guys that 140 00:06:15,987 --> 00:06:18,547 Speaker 4: my teammates could depend on, you know, whenever I was, 141 00:06:19,067 --> 00:06:20,867 Speaker 4: you know, going through a tough time, that they could 142 00:06:20,907 --> 00:06:22,467 Speaker 4: look me in the eyes and they knew that I 143 00:06:22,547 --> 00:06:24,387 Speaker 4: was there and I was going to, you know, help 144 00:06:24,427 --> 00:06:29,427 Speaker 4: to dig them out of a situation. You know, I 145 00:06:29,467 --> 00:06:32,307 Speaker 4: think there's so many different types of leaders, and I 146 00:06:32,307 --> 00:06:34,547 Speaker 4: think the most important thing is to be yourself. You know, 147 00:06:35,227 --> 00:06:37,067 Speaker 4: I lead in the way that got me the armband 148 00:06:37,067 --> 00:06:39,747 Speaker 4: in the first place. I like to think I had 149 00:06:39,747 --> 00:06:42,867 Speaker 4: the respect of all my teammates because the way I 150 00:06:43,067 --> 00:06:44,987 Speaker 4: prepared myself, the way I tried to play the game. 151 00:06:45,987 --> 00:06:48,987 Speaker 4: You know, I never took a day off in terms 152 00:06:49,027 --> 00:06:52,667 Speaker 4: of you know, playing the game. I was always on it. 153 00:06:53,067 --> 00:06:57,787 Speaker 4: You know, consistency was important, and you know, your teammates 154 00:06:57,787 --> 00:06:59,787 Speaker 4: will follow you in that respect. So you know, I 155 00:06:59,867 --> 00:07:02,187 Speaker 4: have I've had a great relationship with all my teammates 156 00:07:02,187 --> 00:07:04,587 Speaker 4: throughout the years, and you know, there's something I take 157 00:07:04,627 --> 00:07:06,627 Speaker 4: pride in, you know, just being there for the being 158 00:07:06,667 --> 00:07:09,387 Speaker 4: in there for them when they're going through difficult moments. 159 00:07:09,387 --> 00:07:11,187 Speaker 4: And yeah, something I really enjoyed. 160 00:07:11,347 --> 00:07:13,787 Speaker 2: You're a one club man, famously a one club man, 161 00:07:13,827 --> 00:07:18,507 Speaker 2: but that is certainly not the common theme and professional football. 162 00:07:18,827 --> 00:07:20,707 Speaker 2: How did you make sure that everybody who came into 163 00:07:20,747 --> 00:07:24,227 Speaker 2: the Tottenham dressing room brought into the culture of what 164 00:07:24,307 --> 00:07:26,427 Speaker 2: the club was all about. A lot of different nationalities 165 00:07:26,427 --> 00:07:27,187 Speaker 2: of course as well. 166 00:07:27,267 --> 00:07:29,907 Speaker 4: Yeah, yeah, yeah, and that, you know, something I enjoyed. Actually, 167 00:07:29,947 --> 00:07:32,067 Speaker 4: you know, learning from different people, different styles and you 168 00:07:32,067 --> 00:07:34,947 Speaker 4: can pick things up from you know, people from different backgrounds. 169 00:07:35,627 --> 00:07:37,307 Speaker 4: But the main thing was making sure that everyone felt 170 00:07:37,347 --> 00:07:41,947 Speaker 4: comfortable in the changing room, allowed to be themselves, not 171 00:07:42,067 --> 00:07:45,107 Speaker 4: to kind of go away from their beliefs and their 172 00:07:45,147 --> 00:07:49,027 Speaker 4: daily rituals that, you know, being comfortable to still be 173 00:07:49,027 --> 00:07:52,307 Speaker 4: able to do that, but at the same time making 174 00:07:52,347 --> 00:07:54,987 Speaker 4: sure that they knew how much it means to play 175 00:07:54,987 --> 00:07:56,787 Speaker 4: for the club and how much it means to the 176 00:07:56,787 --> 00:07:58,867 Speaker 4: fans that you're representing the club. That was something that 177 00:07:58,907 --> 00:07:59,707 Speaker 4: always took pride in. 178 00:08:00,227 --> 00:08:01,947 Speaker 2: Looked at the League Cup in two thousand and eight, 179 00:08:02,867 --> 00:08:05,347 Speaker 2: I'd imagine always special winning a trophy, How special a day? 180 00:08:05,387 --> 00:08:05,667 Speaker 3: Was that? 181 00:08:06,387 --> 00:08:08,867 Speaker 4: Very special because you know, it's a very difficult thing 182 00:08:08,907 --> 00:08:10,587 Speaker 4: to do, as we've seen over the years. You know, 183 00:08:10,627 --> 00:08:13,067 Speaker 4: we've had some great teams since I retired, you know 184 00:08:13,107 --> 00:08:15,427 Speaker 4: the likes of Harry Kane and Son and Hugo La 185 00:08:15,467 --> 00:08:19,147 Speaker 4: Reese and Deli Ali and you know, that group of 186 00:08:19,147 --> 00:08:21,707 Speaker 4: players didn't manage to win a trophy. So it tells 187 00:08:21,747 --> 00:08:24,267 Speaker 4: you how difficult it is, you know. Obviously we kind 188 00:08:24,307 --> 00:08:26,867 Speaker 4: of put that to bed last season by winning the Europa, 189 00:08:26,907 --> 00:08:29,587 Speaker 4: which was fantastic. We had hundreds of thousands in the 190 00:08:29,627 --> 00:08:34,227 Speaker 4: streets outside the stadium on the parade, and that shows 191 00:08:34,267 --> 00:08:36,387 Speaker 4: you how much it meant to the club, how much 192 00:08:36,387 --> 00:08:38,467 Speaker 4: it meant to the fans. But yeah, to have the 193 00:08:38,507 --> 00:08:41,707 Speaker 4: opportunity to do that, you know, I look back now 194 00:08:41,707 --> 00:08:43,707 Speaker 4: and I see the pictures of me lifting the trophy 195 00:08:43,747 --> 00:08:45,227 Speaker 4: and that's something that will stay with me forever. 196 00:08:45,707 --> 00:08:49,187 Speaker 2: Goal against Bradford and teen seconds I see Shane Longs 197 00:08:49,187 --> 00:08:53,427 Speaker 2: gone nine. It was nine something, as you saying bolt numbers, 198 00:08:53,467 --> 00:09:00,187 Speaker 2: yeah nine. Do you still get reminded of. 199 00:09:00,147 --> 00:09:03,347 Speaker 3: It every now and then? But as you say, it's 200 00:09:03,347 --> 00:09:03,667 Speaker 3: gone now? 201 00:09:03,787 --> 00:09:05,227 Speaker 4: So you know, I think I held it for about 202 00:09:05,387 --> 00:09:08,147 Speaker 4: eighteen years or something like that, So yeah, I can't 203 00:09:08,187 --> 00:09:08,747 Speaker 4: be too greedy. 204 00:09:08,787 --> 00:09:10,827 Speaker 3: I had it for a long time and Shane long 205 00:09:11,507 --> 00:09:12,187 Speaker 3: broke it I don't know. 206 00:09:12,267 --> 00:09:14,187 Speaker 4: I think he's scored in six seconds or something like that, 207 00:09:14,267 --> 00:09:16,307 Speaker 4: so he's gonna he's going to be having that record 208 00:09:16,307 --> 00:09:16,667 Speaker 4: for a while. 209 00:09:18,107 --> 00:09:22,187 Speaker 2: Tottenham fan's doing a pretty tough at the moment. Seven 210 00:09:22,267 --> 00:09:25,147 Speaker 2: league games to go one point outside relegation. Are these 211 00:09:25,187 --> 00:09:26,467 Speaker 2: seven cup finals coming up? 212 00:09:26,547 --> 00:09:27,547 Speaker 3: For sure? For sure? 213 00:09:28,507 --> 00:09:30,067 Speaker 4: You know, I don't know if you saw the last game, 214 00:09:30,107 --> 00:09:33,347 Speaker 4: but the fans really know the importance now of every game. 215 00:09:33,387 --> 00:09:36,587 Speaker 4: And the last game before we played not in the forest, 216 00:09:36,667 --> 00:09:38,867 Speaker 4: the fans were there in tens of thousands outside the 217 00:09:38,867 --> 00:09:42,827 Speaker 4: streets cheering the team in. So it shows how much 218 00:09:42,867 --> 00:09:44,987 Speaker 4: it means to everyone at the football club. And as 219 00:09:44,987 --> 00:09:47,027 Speaker 4: you say, seven cup finals from now to the end 220 00:09:47,027 --> 00:09:51,107 Speaker 4: of the season. I still believe in the team, the 221 00:09:51,147 --> 00:09:54,147 Speaker 4: group of players. I think there's enough quality there. Sometimes 222 00:09:54,187 --> 00:09:56,747 Speaker 4: it's just about finding that one win from from from 223 00:09:56,747 --> 00:09:59,827 Speaker 4: anywhere anyhow, and all of a sudden that confidence and 224 00:09:59,827 --> 00:10:01,707 Speaker 4: belief comes back and and. 225 00:10:01,667 --> 00:10:02,667 Speaker 3: You get on a bit of a role. 226 00:10:02,747 --> 00:10:04,907 Speaker 4: So yes, that next one up, it's going to be 227 00:10:04,947 --> 00:10:06,827 Speaker 4: a difficult game or a way to sunder, which is 228 00:10:06,827 --> 00:10:08,747 Speaker 4: a tough place to go. But we're gonna have to 229 00:10:08,787 --> 00:10:10,667 Speaker 4: find something. You know, we've got as we say seven 230 00:10:10,707 --> 00:10:13,187 Speaker 4: games and you know we're gonna have to put enough 231 00:10:13,227 --> 00:10:14,747 Speaker 4: points on the board from now to the end of 232 00:10:14,787 --> 00:10:15,987 Speaker 4: the season to stay up. 233 00:10:16,347 --> 00:10:17,987 Speaker 2: One of our favorite times here in New Zealand is 234 00:10:18,027 --> 00:10:18,587 Speaker 2: Ryan Nelson. 235 00:10:18,627 --> 00:10:18,947 Speaker 3: Of course. 236 00:10:18,987 --> 00:10:20,667 Speaker 2: So you played a little bit wor it the end 237 00:10:20,667 --> 00:10:23,187 Speaker 2: of your career at Tottenham. Did I think he might 238 00:10:23,227 --> 00:10:25,227 Speaker 2: have his day? Bo might have been to replace year? 239 00:10:25,267 --> 00:10:27,347 Speaker 4: It was, Yeah, it was. I thought that it was. 240 00:10:27,627 --> 00:10:29,307 Speaker 4: I didn't know that at the time, but yeah, it's 241 00:10:29,307 --> 00:10:32,227 Speaker 4: funny how things work out. Yeah, he come on for 242 00:10:32,347 --> 00:10:34,987 Speaker 4: me and yeah we did play. We would have played 243 00:10:35,027 --> 00:10:38,667 Speaker 4: a few games side by side. But terrific guy and great, 244 00:10:38,707 --> 00:10:41,787 Speaker 4: great character. He's a great captain you know, of his 245 00:10:41,867 --> 00:10:44,787 Speaker 4: team in the Premier League, and he joined Tottenham towards 246 00:10:44,827 --> 00:10:47,427 Speaker 4: the back end of his career. I think he's there 247 00:10:47,427 --> 00:10:50,227 Speaker 4: for about six months or so. We needed a boost 248 00:10:50,227 --> 00:10:51,907 Speaker 4: in the squad and he'd done a great job for us. 249 00:10:52,387 --> 00:10:54,307 Speaker 4: So yeah, it's really really pleased to have played with him. 250 00:10:54,347 --> 00:10:56,987 Speaker 2: Yeah, one of the great Chins and football Ryan Nelson. 251 00:10:57,027 --> 00:10:59,627 Speaker 2: They often often say he led us to the twenty 252 00:10:59,627 --> 00:11:01,587 Speaker 2: teen Football World Cup. You must be a lucky chart 253 00:11:01,587 --> 00:11:03,827 Speaker 2: because you're at Eaton Park to watch your wife's beak 254 00:11:03,907 --> 00:11:06,307 Speaker 2: chili four to one? Yeah, man, did you enjoy the expert? 255 00:11:06,867 --> 00:11:08,987 Speaker 4: I did enjoy it, and I thought that the as 256 00:11:08,987 --> 00:11:12,187 Speaker 4: played well. Actually it helped that actually went down to 257 00:11:12,507 --> 00:11:16,667 Speaker 4: ten men, but they controlled the game well, the all Whites, 258 00:11:16,707 --> 00:11:19,307 Speaker 4: and you know obviously scored their four goals, so you know. 259 00:11:19,267 --> 00:11:21,267 Speaker 3: They'll put them in good confidence moving forward for sure. 260 00:11:21,307 --> 00:11:24,307 Speaker 2: Absolutely, all right, A couple of quick fighter finish Which 261 00:11:24,387 --> 00:11:26,907 Speaker 2: manager had the biggest influence on you as a player? 262 00:11:28,027 --> 00:11:28,947 Speaker 3: Biggest influence? 263 00:11:31,267 --> 00:11:33,547 Speaker 4: I enjoyed all my managers, but I'd say in terms 264 00:11:33,547 --> 00:11:37,467 Speaker 4: of the influence I think it would probably be martinol 265 00:11:37,627 --> 00:11:40,347 Speaker 4: During that period of time that was when I was 266 00:11:40,347 --> 00:11:43,267 Speaker 4: a captain of the team, and that was where I 267 00:11:43,307 --> 00:11:47,027 Speaker 4: started to really grow as a as a player. So 268 00:11:47,027 --> 00:11:48,467 Speaker 4: I think that was probably the best. 269 00:11:48,307 --> 00:11:51,787 Speaker 2: Most most talented teammate, a guy you thought, oh my goodness, 270 00:11:51,827 --> 00:11:52,707 Speaker 2: how has he done that? 271 00:11:53,867 --> 00:11:56,067 Speaker 4: Funny enough, it was a guy that didn't really play 272 00:11:56,347 --> 00:11:58,747 Speaker 4: much at Tottenham who was a guy called a delta rap. 273 00:11:59,547 --> 00:12:01,747 Speaker 4: He was a young player at Tottenham, but his talent 274 00:12:01,907 --> 00:12:05,747 Speaker 4: was was unbelievable. He did go on to have a 275 00:12:05,787 --> 00:12:09,107 Speaker 4: good career in end. But other than him, I'll probably 276 00:12:09,147 --> 00:12:12,427 Speaker 4: say Gareth Bell. Gareth Bell. Yeah, the only chance to 277 00:12:12,467 --> 00:12:14,387 Speaker 4: see him up close and personal was special. 278 00:12:15,347 --> 00:12:17,627 Speaker 2: An opponent who you always knew you were going to 279 00:12:17,627 --> 00:12:20,347 Speaker 2: get a tough day from you marked you might, you 280 00:12:20,427 --> 00:12:23,147 Speaker 2: might the greatest strikers in the Premier League who always 281 00:12:23,147 --> 00:12:24,027 Speaker 2: gave you a tough. 282 00:12:23,867 --> 00:12:26,307 Speaker 4: Game that they was all tough. Honestly, there was no 283 00:12:26,467 --> 00:12:28,227 Speaker 4: There was no easy no easy games. 284 00:12:28,427 --> 00:12:28,627 Speaker 3: Yeah. 285 00:12:28,667 --> 00:12:31,307 Speaker 4: I could sit here and name drop Bar Tierry Henree. 286 00:12:33,587 --> 00:12:35,827 Speaker 4: But one that was surprised people. It was a guy 287 00:12:35,867 --> 00:12:38,347 Speaker 4: called Kevin Davis who played at Bolton and whenever you 288 00:12:38,507 --> 00:12:41,307 Speaker 4: whenever you played Bolton, Bolton with a very physical team. 289 00:12:41,787 --> 00:12:45,187 Speaker 4: They played the long ball style and Kevin Davis was 290 00:12:45,267 --> 00:12:48,227 Speaker 4: a big, strong, powerful forward who fought for everything. So 291 00:12:49,027 --> 00:12:50,547 Speaker 4: you know when you played bowten, I knew it was 292 00:12:50,547 --> 00:12:51,307 Speaker 4: going to be a tough day. 293 00:12:51,427 --> 00:12:53,787 Speaker 2: Favorite away ground I probably have. 294 00:12:53,747 --> 00:12:56,267 Speaker 4: To say anfield it was probably it was I made 295 00:12:56,267 --> 00:12:58,267 Speaker 4: my debut actually as an eighteen year old, so that's 296 00:12:58,267 --> 00:12:59,947 Speaker 4: going to always have a special place with me. 297 00:13:00,067 --> 00:13:02,707 Speaker 2: And your favorite Tottenham memory. 298 00:13:03,387 --> 00:13:06,707 Speaker 4: Other than winning the League Cup, the semi f was 299 00:13:06,707 --> 00:13:09,307 Speaker 4: pretty special as well. We beat Arsenal, our biggest rivals, 300 00:13:09,347 --> 00:13:12,227 Speaker 4: five to one to reach the final and that. 301 00:13:12,147 --> 00:13:13,867 Speaker 3: Was something that's something that will live with me forever 302 00:13:13,907 --> 00:13:14,227 Speaker 3: for sure. 303 00:13:14,307 --> 00:13:16,387 Speaker 2: Fantastic Levelie. It's so great to have you in New Zealand. 304 00:13:16,427 --> 00:13:18,427 Speaker 2: Can't wait to have Tottenham here at the back end 305 00:13:18,467 --> 00:13:20,347 Speaker 2: of July and they're going to pack out Aiden Park 306 00:13:20,387 --> 00:13:22,067 Speaker 2: to see the game. Thanks for stopping it for a chat. 307 00:13:22,147 --> 00:13:23,787 Speaker 3: Thanks having me, no, thank you for joining us. 308 00:13:23,867 --> 00:13:27,547 Speaker 2: Ledley King there, Tottenham Royalty, Tottenham Icon Spurs a here 309 00:13:27,867 --> 00:13:30,547 Speaker 2: to face Auckland f C Sunday, July twenty six at 310 00:13:30,667 --> 00:13:34,027 Speaker 2: Eden Park. General tickets on sale this coming Tuesday at 311 00:13:34,067 --> 00:13:35,787 Speaker 2: midday from ticket Tech. 312 00:13:36,787 --> 00:13:39,947 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 313 00:13:40,067 --> 00:13:43,347 Speaker 1: to News Talk said B weekends from midday or follow 314 00:13:43,387 --> 00:13:44,987 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio