Michael Utting

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Michael Utting
Personal information
Date of birth May 26, 1970 (1970-05-26) (age 38)
Place of birth    Wellington, New Zealand
Height 1,82 m.
Playing position goalkeeper
Club information
Current club YoungHeart Manawatu
Number 19
Youth clubs
Rongotai College
Onslow Wellington
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1992
1993
1993-1994
1994-1996
1997-1999
1999-2000
2000-2002
2002-2004
2004-2005
2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-present		 Miramar Rangers
Sunshine George Cross
South Melbourne FC
Miramar Rangers
Wits University
Football Kingz
Supersport United
Football Kingz
Waikato FC
YoungHeart Manawatu
Waitakere United
YoungHeart Manawatu



15 (0)
14 (0)
62 (0)
34 (0)


16 (0)
9 (0)   
National team2
1993-2003 Flag of New Zealand New Zealand 14 (0)

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 16 April 2008.
2 National team caps and goals correct
as of 16 April 2008.
* Appearances (Goals)

Michael Utting (born 26 May 1970 in Wellington) is a New Zealand soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper.

Contents

[edit] Early years

Utting grew up in Ngaio, Wellington, the youngest of four children. His father is a civil engineer, his mother a nurse; they separated when he was 10. He went to Ngaio School and Nelson Boys' College. He played cricket and volleyball, but football was always his number one passion. By the time he reached the final year of high school, Utting was keeping for both the Nelson Boys' College first-XI and national league side Miramar Rangers.

[edit] Club career

A much-travelled player, Utting served clubs in his native New Zealand, as well as in Australia and South Africa.

During his New Zealand years, he also played for winter clubs Gisborne City and Waitakere City.

[edit] International career

Utting has played for the New Zealand national soccer team, the All Whites. Since making his debut for the All Whites in 1991, he had rarely been a substitute goalkeeper, until 1999, when his career was marred by alcoholism.

[edit] One for the Road - Utting's alcoholism

He had been into trouble with alcoholism, and his problem became public in 1999. He was axed in 1999, and again in 2002 after a botched initial attempt to quit the booze (a problem he had since 1992)[1]. He was recalled again in 2003, but by then, he had taken up a contract to play in Brunei (an Islamic country that does not allow alcohol at all).[2]

Currently Utting is back in New Zealand to see out the rest of his football career, but an international recall is seen as unlikely.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Utting recalled
  2. ^ Soccer: The greatest save of his life - NZHerald

[edit] External links