Michael Utting Explained

Michael Utting
Fullname:Michael Glenn Utting
Birth Date:1970 5, df=yes
Birth Place:Wellington, New Zealand
Position:Goalkeeper
Currentclub:Levin AFC
Youthclubs1:Rongotai College
Youthclubs2:Onslow Wellington
Years1:1992
Clubs1:Miramar Rangers
Years2:1993
Clubs2:Sunshine George Cross
Years3:1993–1994
Clubs3:South Melbourne FC
Years4:1994–1996
Clubs4:Miramar Rangers
Years5:1997–1999
Clubs5:Wits
Caps5:15
Goals5:0
Years6:1999–2000
Clubs6:Football Kingz
Caps6:14
Goals6:0
Years7:2000–2002
Clubs7:Supersport United
Caps7:62
Goals7:0
Years8:2002–2004
Clubs8:Football Kingz
Caps8:34
Goals8:0
Years9:2004–2005
Clubs9:Waikato FC
Years10:2005–2006
Clubs10:YoungHeart Manawatu
Nationalyears1:1993–2003
Nationalteam1:New Zealand
Nationalcaps1:14
Nationalgoals1:0
Years11:2006–2007
Years12:2007–2008
Clubs11:Waitakere United
Clubs12:YoungHeart Manawatu
Caps11:16
Caps12:9
Goals11:0
Goals12:0
Pcupdate:16 April 2008
Ntupdate:16 April 2008

Michael Glenn Utting (born 26 May 1970, in Wellington) is a former New Zealand football player who played as a goalkeeper.

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 then Nelson College from 1984 to 1986.[1] 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 College first-XI and national league side Miramar Rangers.

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 AFC and Waitakere City FC.

International career

Utting has played for the New Zealand national football 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.

He was included in the New Zealand side for the 1999 Confederations Cup finals tournament in Mexico where he was an unused substitute.[2] He fared better in 2003 as he was recalled for the 2003 Confederations Cup finals tournament in France, playing in all three group games before New Zealand were eliminated.[3]

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).[4] He was recalled again in 2003, but by then, he had taken up a contract to play in Brunei.[5]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Nelson College Old Boys' Register, 1856–2006, 6th edition
  2. Web site: Federations Cup Mexico 1999 – New Zealand squad . FIFA . 10 October 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090508062608/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament%3D101/edition%3D4356/teams/team%3D43978.html . 8 May 2009 .
  3. Web site: Federations Cup France 2003 – New Zealand squad . FIFA . 10 October 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090424204154/http://www.fifa.com/tournaments/archive/tournament%3D101/edition%3D6489/teams/team%3D43978.html . 24 April 2009 .
  4. http://home.nzcity.co.nz/news/?id=28748&c=w Utting recalled
  5. News: Soccer: The greatest save of his life . Brown, Michael . 18 February 2007 . . 25 October 2011.