All Whites legend and World Cup hero Grant Turner has died of cancer, aged 64. Let’s see more details about Grant Turner and his career journey.
How did Grant Turner die?
Turner’s passing was confirmed by the New Zealand Professional Footballers Association.
We are sorry to hear of the passing of Grant Turner after his battle with cancer. A giant on the field, playing 71 times for the All Whites between 1980 and 1988, Grant is a treasured member of our footballing history. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
Turner, a skillful midfielder, scored 19 goals in 71 All Whites appearances, including 15 strikes in 42 full internationals. He told Stuff in 2022 he was unable to attend the 1982 All Whites’ 40-year reunion because he was terminally ill.
We are sad to hear the news that All Whites great Grant Turner has passed away today after a long illness.
The thoughts of everyone at New Zealand Football are with his friends and family at this difficult time.
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) February 27, 2023
Cause of Death
Legendary All-White Grant Turner dies after struggle with cancer, aged 64.
New Zealand Football later posted a Condolence message by saying” We are sad to hear the news that All Whites great Grant Turner has passed away today after a long illness. The thoughts of everyone at New Zealand Football are with his friends and family at this difficult time.”
Legendary All-White Grant Turner
“A giant on the field, playing 71 times for the All Whites between 1980 and 1988, Grant is a treasured member of our footballing history. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.” Turner was inducted into the Sports Legends of Wellington in 2022 and recognized his contribution to football with a citation that included the:
“His most iconic sporting moment came in a World Cup qualifying game against Australia, flashing home a long-range header to advance to the next round in 1981.
“This unforgettable team made their first World Cup (finals) in 1982.
‘Never seen a better headed goal’
”Turner was a rare footballer in that he played almost all his club football for New Zealand clubs, apart from a brief stint with South Melbourne Hellas in 1982.
His New Zealand clubs included Stop Out, Gisborne City (two spells), Petone, Miramar Rangers, and Wellington United.
He scored in their 2-0 victory over Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, another goal against Indonesia in front of 95,000 home fans at Jakarta, and again in a draw with Australia at Mt Smart Stadium. Turner’s robust style proved a perfect foil to that of strikers Brian Turner and Steve Woodin in front of goal, but he never got to play in Spain, after suffering an ankle injury before the World Cup began.
“I was given the role as an enforcer, as well as getting forward,” Turner told NZME. “I was able to play a bit as well, but I didn’t pull out of any tackles either. “People see me as that hard man, which is frustrating. I was given a job, I was damn good at it.” He played for the All-Whites until 1988 when he suffered a heavy concussion against Israel. His physicality took a heavy toll on his body, which required two knee replacements and a painful shoulder reconstruction, after several dislocations.
Turner scored the most celebrated
He told Stuff in 2022 he was unable to attend the 1982 All Whites’ 40-year reunion because he was terminally ill. That was a shame because Turner scored the most celebrated goal of the qualifying campaign – a long-range header in a 2-0 win over Australia in Sydney in 1981.
Turner will go down in history as one of the greatest New Zealand-born footballers of all time. Strong in the air, with a cannonball shot, skillful and tough in the tackle he was an all-tools player.
An ankle injury sustained in training in Spain sidelined him for the 1982 World Cup finals and potentially cost him a shot at a professional contract in Britain. John Adshead, coach of the 1982 All Whites described Turner at the time as “a tremendous athlete with so much ability”.
Turner always felt, had he played in Spain, that he could have got a professional deal. “I don’t think there’s any doubt that if I’d have got something over there [at a professional club] I would have been successful and my family would have been a lot better off,’’ he told Stuff in 2022.
Condolence Posted on Social Media
Jason Pine Posted
Devastated to hear of the passing of Grant Turner. A driving force in the All Whites side that made our first men’s World Cup in 1982. My first footballing hero, and probably the reason I started to love the game. An absolute warrior in the white shirt. Rest well now, GT.
Jacob Spoonley
As a kid, I’d ask about ‘82, Rufer, Sumner, and the crucial goals. Dad, & others, would be quick to note the importance of Grant Turner. Grant was a player that resonated with the Kiwi footballing public, combative with a touch of class. Can’t write NZ football history without him.
Petone FC – Official Posted
We are deeply saddened to share the news that All Whites & Petone FC legend, Grant Turner has passed away after a long battle with illness. He was 64. We extend our deepest condolences to GT’s family & friends at this difficult time. Rest in peace Grant
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