Mark Paston
Encyclopedia
Mark Nelson Paston is a New Zealand
football goalkeeper who plays for the Wellington Phoenix
in the A-League
.
before he moved to the United Kingdom
in 2003 to join Bradford City
. He followed this with a season at Walsall
and then St Johnstone
, before returning to New Zealand with the New Zealand Knights
.
. Paston made his debut for the Phoenix against Adelaide United
where they lost 4-1. Paston was often the Phoenix second choice goalkeeper but when Glen Moss
left to Melbourne Victory
Paston was given his opportunity to become the Phoenix's first-choice goalkeeper.
Paston signed a new one year contract at the beginning of the 2009, keeping him at the Phoenix until the end of the 2009/2010 season
. Paston played a large part in the Phoenix's undefeated home streak A-League record
by keeping clean sheets against Central Coast Mariners and Gold Coast United.
On 10 December 2009 Paston suffered a tibia
fracture that kept him sidelined for the rest of the season
.
On 19 January 2010, Paston along with teammates Reece Crowther
and Troy Hearfield
signed contract extensions with the Phoenix. Paston is contracted until the conclusion of the 2011-12 season.
In a repeat of history, Paston suffered another tibial fracture below the right knee on 11 December 2010 after a collision in the loss to Gold Coast United, sidelining him for the second half of the 2010-2011 season.
level, made his full All Whites debut at the age of 20 in a 5–0 loss to Indonesia
on 21 September 1997, but did not feature in another full international until 2003, Jason Batty
, Michael Utting
and later Ross Nicholson
being preferred choices. Since returning to the international side in 2003, Paston has competed with former Wellington Phoenix team-mate Glen Moss
for the goalkeeper position.
He was named in the New Zealand 2009 Confederations Cup
squad to travel to South Africa, where he was second choice as Moss played in all three games. However, Moss' suspension from international football for improper conduct meant that Paston played in the World Cup Qualification playoff
against Bahrain
. On 10 October 2009 Paston kept a clean sheet in the first leg in Riffa, and in the return leg on 14 November 2009 he was Man of the Match, saving a penalty from Sayed Mohamed Adnan
in the 51st minute which was enough to secure New Zealand a 1-0 win in Wellington
, enabling them to qualify for the World Cup
for only the second time in their history.
Paston's fractured leg had threatened to harm his World Cup chances, but the goalkeeper made a good recovery and was named in New Zealand's final 23-man squad to compete at the World Cup on 10 May 2010. With Moss' suspension running into the first two games of the World Cup, Paston went on to play all of New Zealand's matches as Ricki Herbert
's first-choice goalkeeper.
On 15 June 2010, Paston started against Slovakia
and played an important role in helping New Zealand secure their first ever World Cup point with a 1-1 draw. Five days later he was instrumental in ensuring the All Whites drew 1-1 with reigning champions Italy
, making several acrobatic saves. His good form meant that he started the final group game against Paraguay
on 24 June, but despite pulling off more excellent saves and keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw, the All Whites were unable to reach the last 16.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
football goalkeeper who plays for the Wellington Phoenix
Wellington Phoenix FC
Wellington Phoenix Football Club is a professional association football club based in Wellington, New Zealand. The club competes in the Football Federation of Australia A-League. Ricki Herbert has been the coach since the club's inception to the A-League in July 2007. The current club captain is...
in the A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
.
Early career
Paston's senior career began with Napier City RoversNapier City Rovers
Napier City Rovers are an association football team based in Napier, New Zealand. They are currently competing in the Central Premier League.-Club history:The team was founded in 1973 via a merger of Napier Rovers and Napier City....
before he moved to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in 2003 to join Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
. He followed this with a season at Walsall
Walsall F.C.
Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second...
and then St Johnstone
St Johnstone F.C.
St. Johnstone F.C. is a professional football club based in Perth, Scotland. Although it is officially recorded as being formed in 1884, the club did not play its first game until February 1885. The club's home since 1989 has been McDiarmid Park....
, before returning to New Zealand with the New Zealand Knights
New Zealand Knights FC
This page details the history of the club. For information on seasons and results see New Zealand Knights seasons 2005-06 and 2006-07New Zealand Knights Football Club were the only professional football club in New Zealand before they became defunct...
.
Wellington Phoenix
Paston signed for Hyundai A-League club Wellington Phoenix in 2007 from the New Zealand KnightsNew Zealand Knights FC
This page details the history of the club. For information on seasons and results see New Zealand Knights seasons 2005-06 and 2006-07New Zealand Knights Football Club were the only professional football club in New Zealand before they became defunct...
. Paston made his debut for the Phoenix against Adelaide United
Adelaide United FC
Adelaide United Football Club is a professional football club based in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. It currently participates in the A-League as the sole team from the state of South Australia. Adelaide is one of the most successful clubs in the A-League. The club's home ground is...
where they lost 4-1. Paston was often the Phoenix second choice goalkeeper but when Glen Moss
Glen Moss
Glen Moss is a New Zealand association football goalkeeper who currently plays for A-League club Gold Coast United, and has represented New Zealand at international level.-Return to the A-League:...
left to Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory
Melbourne Victory Football Club is an Australian professional football club based in Melbourne, Victoria, that plays in the A-League....
Paston was given his opportunity to become the Phoenix's first-choice goalkeeper.
Paston signed a new one year contract at the beginning of the 2009, keeping him at the Phoenix until the end of the 2009/2010 season
Wellington Phoenix season 2009–10
The 2009–10 season is the Wellington Phoenix's third season of football in the Hyundai A-League, making it the longest running New Zealand team in the competition, surpassing the defunct New Zealand Knights.-Season summary:...
. Paston played a large part in the Phoenix's undefeated home streak A-League record
A-League all-time records
This is a list of various records in the Australian football league, the Hyundai A-League.-Biggest victories:*7 goals:*6 goals:*5 goals:* 4 goals:-Highest Aggregate Scores:*9 goals:...
by keeping clean sheets against Central Coast Mariners and Gold Coast United.
On 10 December 2009 Paston suffered a tibia
Tibia
The tibia , shinbone, or shankbone is the larger and stronger of the two bones in the leg below the knee in vertebrates , and connects the knee with the ankle bones....
fracture that kept him sidelined for the rest of the season
Wellington Phoenix season 2009–10
The 2009–10 season is the Wellington Phoenix's third season of football in the Hyundai A-League, making it the longest running New Zealand team in the competition, surpassing the defunct New Zealand Knights.-Season summary:...
.
On 19 January 2010, Paston along with teammates Reece Crowther
Reece Crowther
Reece Crowther is an Australian Association football goalkeeper who last played for the New Zealand-based Wellington Phoenix in the Australasian A-League.-Club career:...
and Troy Hearfield
Troy Hearfield
Troy Hearfield is an attacking football midfielder who currently plays for Central Coast Mariners in the A-League.Married to Deanne Hearfield.-Club career:Hearfield signed for Newcastle Jets in 2006...
signed contract extensions with the Phoenix. Paston is contracted until the conclusion of the 2011-12 season.
In a repeat of history, Paston suffered another tibial fracture below the right knee on 11 December 2010 after a collision in the loss to Gold Coast United, sidelining him for the second half of the 2010-2011 season.
International career
Paston, having represented New Zealand at Under-23New Zealand national under-23 football team
The New Zealand Under-23 Football Team, informally known as the "Oly-Whites", represents New Zealand Football and New Zealand in international Under-23 football events, such as the Summer Olympics....
level, made his full All Whites debut at the age of 20 in a 5–0 loss to Indonesia
Indonesia national football team
The Indonesia national football team represents Indonesia in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Indonesia . Prior to independence in 1945, the team competed as the Dutch East Indies national football team. Under this name, Indonesia was the first Asian team to...
on 21 September 1997, but did not feature in another full international until 2003, Jason Batty
Jason Batty
Jason Batty is a retired New Zealand football goalkeeper who is currently the goalkeeper coach for the San Jose Earthquakes. Batty frequently represented his country in the 1990s. He later coached Dartmouth College in the U.S...
, Michael Utting
Michael Utting
Michael Utting is a New Zealand soccer player who plays 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 Nelson College...
and later Ross Nicholson
Ross Nicholson
Ross Nicholson is an association football goalkeeper who represented New Zealand at international level.-International career:...
being preferred choices. Since returning to the international side in 2003, Paston has competed with former Wellington Phoenix team-mate Glen Moss
Glen Moss
Glen Moss is a New Zealand association football goalkeeper who currently plays for A-League club Gold Coast United, and has represented New Zealand at international level.-Return to the A-League:...
for the goalkeeper position.
He was named in the New Zealand 2009 Confederations Cup
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
The 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup was the eighth Confederations Cup, and was held in South Africa from 14 June to 28 June 2009 as a prelude to the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The draw was held on 22 November 2008 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg. The opening match was played at Ellis Park...
squad to travel to South Africa, where he was second choice as Moss played in all three games. However, Moss' suspension from international football for improper conduct meant that Paston played in the World Cup Qualification playoff
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (Inter-confederation play-offs)
For the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, there are two scheduled inter-confederation playoffs to determine the final two qualification spots to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals...
against Bahrain
Bahrain national football team
The Bahrain national football team is the national team of the Kingdom of Bahrain and is controlled by the Bahrain Football Association; it was founded in 1951 and joined FIFA in 1966. They have never reached the finals of the World Cup, but have twice come within one match of doing so...
. On 10 October 2009 Paston kept a clean sheet in the first leg in Riffa, and in the return leg on 14 November 2009 he was Man of the Match, saving a penalty from Sayed Mohamed Adnan
Sayed Mohamed Adnan
Sayed Mohamed Adnan is a Bahrani footballer currently playing for the Brisbane Roar in A-League. He is known for joining up in attacks during open play to help score using his height advantage.-Club career:...
in the 51st minute which was enough to secure New Zealand a 1-0 win in Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
, enabling them to qualify for the World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
for only the second time in their history.
Paston's fractured leg had threatened to harm his World Cup chances, but the goalkeeper made a good recovery and was named in New Zealand's final 23-man squad to compete at the World Cup on 10 May 2010. With Moss' suspension running into the first two games of the World Cup, Paston went on to play all of New Zealand's matches as Ricki Herbert
Ricki Herbert
Ricki Lloyd Herbert, CNZM is a New Zealand former association football player who represented his country at the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain...
's first-choice goalkeeper.
On 15 June 2010, Paston started against Slovakia
Slovakia national football team
The Slovakia national football team represents Slovakia in association football and is controlled by the Slovak Football Association , the governing body for football in Slovakia. Slovakia's home stadium is Štadión Pasienky and their head coach is Vladimír Weiss...
and played an important role in helping New Zealand secure their first ever World Cup point with a 1-1 draw. Five days later he was instrumental in ensuring the All Whites drew 1-1 with reigning champions Italy
Italy national football team
The Italy National Football Team , represents Italy in association football and is controlled by the Italian Football Federation , the governing body for football in Italy. Italy is the second most successful national team in the history of the World Cup having won four titles , just one fewer than...
, making several acrobatic saves. His good form meant that he started the final group game against Paraguay
Paraguay national football team
The Paraguay national football team is controlled by the Paraguayan Football Association and represents Paraguay in men's international football competitions. The team has reached the second round of the World Cup on four occasions . The 2010 trip also featured their first appearance in the...
on 24 June, but despite pulling off more excellent saves and keeping a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw, the All Whites were unable to reach the last 16.
| Date | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Match Report | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 October 2007 | 0-2 | Win | 2008 OFC Nations Cup 2008 OFC Nations Cup The 2008 OFC Nations Cup was the eighth edition of the OFC Nations Cup, and the first under a new format that was introduced. It took place as a series of as a home-and-away round-robin tournament on FIFA match dates in 2007 and 2008... |
Report | |||||||
| 10 September 2008 | 3-0 | Win | 2008 OFC Nations Cup 2008 OFC Nations Cup The 2008 OFC Nations Cup was the eighth edition of the OFC Nations Cup, and the first under a new format that was introduced. It took place as a series of as a home-and-away round-robin tournament on FIFA match dates in 2007 and 2008... |
Report | |||||||
| 6 June 2009 | 0-0 | Draw | Friendly | Summary | |||||||
| 10 October 2009 | 0-0 | Draw | 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (Inter-confederation play-offs) For the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, there are two scheduled inter-confederation playoffs to determine the final two qualification spots to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals... |
Report | |||||||
| 14 November 2009 | 1-0 | Win | 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (Inter-confederation play-offs) For the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification, there are two scheduled inter-confederation playoffs to determine the final two qualification spots to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals... |
Report | |||||||
| 29 May 2010 | 1-0 | Win | Friendly | Report | |||||||
| 24 June 2010 | 0-0 | Draw | 2010 FIFA World Cup 2010 FIFA World Cup The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010... |
Report | |||||||
| Last updated 24 June 2010 | |||||||||||
Career statistics
| Club | Season |  First DivisionFootball League First Division The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship.... |
FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup | Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | ||
| Bradford City Bradford City A.F.C. Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two.... (Football League First Division Football League First Division The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship.... ) |
2003–04 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 2 | ||||
| Club Total | 13 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 2 | |||||
| Club | Season | League One Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... |
FA Cup FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's... |
League Cup | League Trophy Football League Trophy The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top... |
Total | |||||
| App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | ||
| Walsall Walsall F.C. Walsall Football Club are an English association football club based in Walsall, West Midlands. They currently play in League One. The club was founded in 1888 as Walsall Town Swifts, an amalgamation of Walsall Town F.C. and Walsall Swifts F.C. The club was one of the founder members of the Second... (Football League One Football League One Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system.... ) |
2004–05 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 2 |
| Club Total | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 2 | |
| Club | Season |  First Division |
Scottish Cup Scottish Cup The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The... |
League Cup Scottish League Cup The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by... |
Europe UEFA The Union of European Football Associations , almost always referred to by its acronym UEFA is the administrative and controlling body for European association football, futsal and beach soccer.... |
Total | |||||
| App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | ||
| St Johnstone (Scottish First Division) |
2005–06 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | ||||
| Club Total | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | |||||
| Club | Season |  A-LeagueA-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company... |
Finals Series | Asia | Total | ||||||
| App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | ||
| New Zealand Knights (A-League A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company... ) |
2006–07 | 10 | 4 | 10 | 4 | ||||||
| Club Total | 10 | 4 | 10 | 4 | |||||||
| Club | Season | A-League A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company... |
Finals Series | Asia | Total | ||||||
| App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | App | CS | ||
| Wellington Phoenix (A-League A-League The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company... ) |
2007–08 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| 2008–09 | 9 | 2 | 9 | 2 | |||||||
| 2009–10 | 13 | 5 | 13 | 5 | |||||||
| 2010–11 | 15 | 2 | 15 | 2 | |||||||
| 2011–12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||||
| Club Total | 39 | 9 | 39 | 9 | |||||||
| Career totals | 66 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 71 | 18 | |
| Last updated 23 October 2011 | |||||||||||
See also
- New Zealand national football team
- New Zealand at the FIFA World CupNew Zealand at the FIFA World CupThe New Zealand national football team has participated in two FIFA World Cups, the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain and the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa....
- New Zealand national football team results
- List of New Zealand international footballers