The former All Whites football captain and star of the 1982 New Zealand World Cup team, Steve Sumner, has died aged 61.
New Zealand football legend Steve Sumner. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Sumner was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in September 2015.
After the diagnosis he become an outspoken advocate for men's health.
The attacking midfielder will be largely remembered for his impact on the 1982 All Whites team, which became the first New Zealand side to qualify for a World Cup.
All White captain Steve Sumner has a shot on goal during an elimination game for the 1982 Soccer World Cup. Photo: PhotoSport
English-born Sumner was the All Whites most influential player at the tournament in Spain.
He played record 105 games for New Zealand between 1976 and 1988, scoring 22 goals.
Ricki Herbert, Steve Sumner and Grant Turner play Saudi Arabia, 1981, in qualification for 1982 Wold Cup. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
New Zealand Football Chief Executive Andy Martin said Sumner's passing was a sad day for the football community in this country.
"First and foremost our thoughts go out to his family and friends in their time of grieving. Steve was not only a great footballer, he was also a great man and he will be sorely missed," said Martin.
Martin said Sumner will be remembered as one of the most influential footballers this country has ever produced.
"What he and the All Whites team from 1982 achieved in that FIFA World Cup campaign put New Zealand on the world football map and his legacy will last forever," he said.
"We were fortunate to have a great time with Steve at the 125th anniversary of New Zealand Football last year and it was a special occasion for him in particular to reflect on all the amazing moments he was part of in the All Whites and in New Zealand Football."
He played his club football in New Zealand for Christchurch United, Manurewa and Gisborne City.
Sumner endured six rounds of chemotherapy and defied the odds before his health deteriorated at the start of this year.
Sumner passed away this morning surrounded by his family in Merivale, Christchurch.
After serving an apprenticeship with Blackpool, the English-born Sumner came to New Zealand in 1976 to begin his football career with Christchurch United where he won the League title in his first season.
Sumner went on to win six Chatham Cup titles - the only player to have won six Chatham Cup winner's medals - and five league titles.
He holds the record for the most goals scored in an international when he scored six goals during New Zealand's 13-0 defeat of Fiji during the 1982 World Cup qualifying campaign.
His goal in the 5-2 loss to Scotland in the 1982 World Cup was the first from an Oceania player at a FIFA World Cup and he was one of only two scorers for New Zealand from that tournament, alongside Steve Wooddin.
In 1991, Sumner's feats for the All Whites were recognised when he was inducted into the New Zealand Soccer Media Association Hall of Fame.
In 2010 he was awarded FIFA's top award, the FIFA Order of Merit, before the opening of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, along with Johan Cruyff and former South African president Thabo Mbeki.
In 2016 he received the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to football/
Also in 2016, the grandstand at English Park in Christchurch was renamed 'The Steve Sumner Stand' in his honour.
-RNZ
