Should add it was Bill's dad's recreational fishing boat I'm pretty sure, not like his livelihood of being a commercial fisherman!
But the whole 18 yr old Bill Tuiloma yarn, about trialling around various Euro clubs, sometimes with his agent, sometimes on his lonesome, catching a train to some bitterly cold windswept train station in France or wherever - is a cautionary tale of how tough it was for young Kiwis chasing the pro football dream without the right passports/connections. Gratefully Marseille, but more Portland worked out for him.
Thankfully through the Nix pathway now, plus Ole having connections in Europe (especially Sweden) - it's a lot easier (though still tough) than it was. Guys like Waine also going up there a bit later & straight onto senior deals - more chance of making a success of it.
But the whole 18 yr old Bill Tuiloma yarn, about trialling around various Euro clubs, sometimes with his agent, sometimes on his lonesome, catching a train to some bitterly cold windswept train station in France or wherever - is a cautionary tale of how tough it was for young Kiwis chasing the pro football dream without the right passports/connections. Gratefully Marseille, but more Portland worked out for him.
Thankfully through the Nix pathway now, plus Ole having connections in Europe (especially Sweden) - it's a lot easier (though still tough) than it was. Guys like Waine also going up there a bit later & straight onto senior deals - more chance of making a success of it.