Ryan Nelsen inspiring our heroes

Ryan Nelsen inspiring our heroes

NZ war hero buoyed by message from All Whites' skipper

When British Army rifleman James McKie wrote to All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen about how proud he was to be a New Zealander when the All Whites qualified for the Fifa World Cup, he didn't expect a reply.

The Wellingtonian wrote to Nelsen months before he was labelled a hero for saving his captain from a hand grenade attack in Afghanistan.

"I wrote to him mostly about how important is was that we as a nation qualified," says McKie.

"I was at FOB Jackson, Sangin DC (District Centre), North Helmand, Afghanistan. I wrote it one of the days when we didn't have any fresh food and were eating rations. I also wrote to Arsene Wenger, manager of Arsenal, [but] never heard back from that douche."

Nelsen's postcard arrived a week before Christmas and two days after McKie's friends David Kirkness and James Brown were killed by a suicide bomber.

"It really cheered all us up and it mattered that other people were thinking about us," says McKie.

"Christmas and New Year's was a particularly sh*tty time for my small team. We had Sergeant Phillip Scott killed on November 5, Kirky and Browny killed on December 15, and my main man Matt Fisher got shot on Boxing Day.

"There were also four others already wounded and gone by this stage. We spent Christmas and New Year's Eve guarding the camp. It was cold, wet and the nights really dark. It wasn't festive at all."

Wherever McKie is posted with the British Army, he takes the Nelsen postcard.

"The card is one of my most treasured possessions."

McKie left Wellington for Edinburgh (Redford Barracks) today to rejoin his battalion, and will be back at work by June 7. He won't be able to watch every World Cup game (unlike the last World Cup, where he didn't miss a game because his parents recorded them all for him).

"But I will watch as many as I can in one of the many pubs showing the games. I have even bought a [New Zealand] shirt already, I'm such a fan boy," McKie says.

The rifleman reckons the only team New Zealand have a chance of beating in the preliminary round are Slovakia because "Italy and Paraguay are awesome".

While New Zealand are paying 2001-1 to win the World Cup on online betting site Betting365.com, McKie's money is on one of the South American teams to win.

"Maybe Uruguay, Paraguay or Argentina, they all went through a really tough qualifying campaign and have players playing in the toughest leagues in the world. Uruguay and Paraguay play with real team spirit. I think Brazil has too many outrageous personalities to win."

Before arriving in Wellington, McKie says the men in his battalion in Afghanistan were just as excited about the World Cup as he was, particularly those from the host country.

"[The] South African guys are loving it, they talk about the stadiums and the towns and cities hosting the games. None of them really rate Bafana Bafana's chances but still support them.

"One of the guys had never watched football before but sat down and watched the whole Brazil versus South Africa game in the Confederations Cup and got really excited about it. He even went out and bought a South African shirt and a Brazil shirt. Crazy guy."

When McKie is out in the field and unable to show his support for the All Whites with his fan shirt, his weapon gives away his allegiance.

"I always [have] a flag patch on my rifle and my machine gun."

sauce


Is it just me or is Ryan just getting better and better in the eyes of the country? Absolute legend

On a side note, love it how the chap calls Wenger a douche

Maybe Wenger was p!ssed off with McKie because he became a Spurs supporter in honour of his fallen comrade Cpl Green.

HP

Cue tasteless remark from Foal30...Junior822010-06-03 00:47:08

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