Mark Paston - Retiree

Mark Paston To Retire (via A-League website) 

Wellington Phoenix goalkeeper Mark Paston will bring the curtain down on his professional football career against Melbourne Victory at Westpac Stadium today.

Paston, 36, told team-mates of his decision to retire at training yesterday in typical fashion, with his brief speech bringing laughter rather than tears.

With that task out of the way Paston, the consummate professional, went about his work as he has done for the past six seasons at the club, giving nothing less than 100 per cent.

A goalkeeper’s life at training isn’t easy with 20 or so players firing in shots, often from close range, battering the body time and again.

As he relaxed once his last session was over Paston smiled at the thought he won’t have to do it again – for the time being at least.

While he will say goodbye to the Phoenix he is leaving the door “slightly ajar” when it comes to continuing his All Whites career.

“It would be nice to finish my international career at the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil but that is some way off,” Paston said.

“I will take a few months off and re-evaluate a few things.

“Then I would need to talk to my future employer about time off, and if I do put my hand up for those games later in the year I would need some game time so I would have to find a club.

“I’ll worry about that later though. I just need time off at the moment.”

Asked why he had chosen now to walk away from the professional game Paston smiled.

“As you get older you start thinking about the following season earlier and earlier,” he said.

“It is hard to explain, but you start to wonder if you have it in you to go into another season.

“I’m the sort of guy for who it is all or nothing, and if I don’t think I can give it everything I don’t see the point of carrying on in the professional sense.

“My body isn’t getting any younger and I tend to get to about December and it starts to seize up a bit. That is another sign it is about time to give it up because I can’t just turn up and go through the motions.

“It is all or nothing for me and as a goalkeeper at training there is no place to hide.”

Article continues on the link above. Sad news. While I may have been critical at times this season, you've always been an amazing person and someone I've always loved.

Sorry I couldn't find how to post in the existing thread after I Googled for it - I posted but the comment didn't appear. Feel free to shift this if able.

Worthy of it's own thread Ahmad.

Thanks Paston for everything you have done for the Phoenix and the All Whites over the past 6 years. Your penalty save on November 14 will always be remembered and your performance against Italy must be one of the greatest individual performances in NZ Football history.

I'm just going to leave this here...

Video of his performance against Italy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPsv6YjKEFc 

Cheers.

Thanks Mark. You've given an amazing amount to New Zealand football, and all the best for your future.

Legend.

Thanks for everything Pasty, best of luck in your career outside football.

Pasty you light up my world like nobody else...

Piney and Chotey Classic Commentary - Bahraini Penalty 14/11/09 

Thanks for posting that Ahmad.  Brings a tear to this old fellas eye.  Enjoy retirement Pasty. 

Yes all the best Mark, will never forget 'that' penalty save great to be in the crowd that night.

Yes.A stone cold legend.Cheers Mark

Legend, probably owed a lifetime of beer from Lochhead after Bahrain. Will always remember November 14 being successful because of Paston.

 Mark Paston has been my pretend boyfriend for three and a half years and I'm sorry he didn't tell us this in time to organise a banner for today. I wonder whether he has a real chance for being picked for the AWs if he's no longer in regular football over the offseason. (Although we always need more keepers at Bohemian Celtic FC, HINT HINT.)

So Vuko was a one off (so to speak) and Moss is what?  Your toy boy?

 Mossy told me I was crazy, so I'm really not sure there.

Of course my true love is Hope Solo.

So pretty much had to watch this video again https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT9X8WW1cN0

Best damn video on the whole of youtube.

Paston you are a legend.

Well done Pasty, you have been a Rock for both the Nix and NZ for years, fantastic service.  Still brings tears to my eyes that penalty save against Bahrain - Cheers 

What a buzz.Its like drugs but better

about time, i reckon he was getting abit passed it.. sad times :(

In the three most important games that have mattered in recent years, Mark literally saved our bacon.  Legend.

 Will always remember you for your world cup efforts Pasty, you were simply brilliant at times

All the best to you

 Thanks Paston. Tremendous servant of both Nix and All Whites. You'll be hard pressed to find a more consistent keeper.

Always seemed to be a very grounded and humble guy.

I love Mark Paston !

i think you should move to parramatta. might be more comfy

 And who can forget his organisational skillz

 Top keeper.

Thanks, but today's faffing around at the first goal proved its the right time. 

da man

Thanks Mark, thanks for the good times, the good saves, turning into God mode at the World Cup and saving THAT penalty. Thanks for being so approachable and friendly at the practices, even when you were injured. It has for the most part it's been a great career and when things were not so good, you worked your way through them. Total respect to you Mark. All the very best in retirement.

Mark, Spoonley and Banantyne at the AW camp for Bahrain

That video was awesome; thanks for sharing.

You don't mean the tap in where he was 2 on 1 do you? :/

Yes, he slipped but could hardly stop that from going in!