Five facts to know about Arthur Egan

Words: AFF Media

Thursday 24 January 2019

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - A legend within the footballing community, Auckland City FC Kitman, Arthur Egan has been gracing the presence of the Navy Blues dressing since the club formed back in 2004.

Being right by the club’s side through thick and thin, Egan has attended every single overseas tournament the Navy Blues have taken part in, which include the OFC Champions League, Nike Lunar New Year Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.

Here are five facts to know about ACFC Kitman, Arthur Egan.

Egan was the Kitman for the All Whites of 1982 at the FIFA World Cup

In 1982, New Zealand took part in their first FIFA World Cup, with Egan joining the squad as the official Kitman. “It was a great experience, being at the 1982 FIFA World Cup, I very nearly didn’t go to the World Cup, but if it wasn’t for John Adshead, I would never have attended the 1982 FIFA World Cup and any World Cup you can get to, it’s an experience of a lifetime” Egan said.

FIFA Club World Cup Morocco 2014, a memory Egan will never forget

Alongside his World Cup credentials, Auckland City FC’s stunning third place finish at the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup is a memory the Navy Blues Kitman will never forget. “My favourite footballing memory would be attending the 1982 World Cup, but alongside that would be the 2014 FIFA Club World Cup with Auckland City FC when we finished third. We were so close to playing Real Madrid, but we were just beaten in the Semi-Final.”

Charlie Dempsey, Ramon Tribulietx and John Adshead are Egan’s footballing idols

During the 1982 FIFA World Cup, Egan had the opportunity to travel with both of his footballing idols, former New Zealand Football Chairman, Charlie Demspey and Former All Whites Head Coach, John Adshead. He currently works alongside Auckland City FC Head Coach, Ramon Tribulietx. “John Adshead said to me when I arrived in Spain in 82', ‘If it’s 10:30pm at night and a player wants a Banana, don’t tell me you can’t get them, you just go and get the player a Banana’ and those have been my words of advice from John, he’s a wonderful man and a wonderful leader. I look at Ramon [Tribulietx] and I respect his coaching and leadership and when you go to the administration, Charlie Dempsey was the top man, he put Auckland Football on the map in the 1970s, because he was bringing English and Scottish teams to New Zealand.”

Egan has Life Membership with AFF

In 1987, Egan reached the age of retirement for the working age and he received Life Membership from the Junior management comittee from the Auckland Football Federation. Egan worked in the Junior Management committee for AFF from 1956 to 1971. He then moved onto the Control Board from 1971 until he retired in 1987, reaching almost 30 years of service to the Federation. In 2007, he was awarded the Life Membership award with AFF.

Egan is grateful for the strong support from his wife, Margaret

With over 60+ years of experience in football, Egan has enjoyed his time dedicated to the sport and praises his wife Margaret for the strong support of his ambitions over the years. “My wife Margaret has never once said to me ‘Give up football’ or ‘Sorry you’re not going on this trip’, she’s been so wonderful, she’s never been on a trip with me because she said ‘well, I won’t see you Arthur, you’ll be busy with the team’ and I’ve enjoyed the support she’s given me over the years.”

Auckland City FC take on Eastern Suburbs AFC at Kiwitea Street on Saturday.

Kickoff is at 4pm.

This article is kindly reproduced courtesy of Auckland Football Federation.