Messenger back for the Dragons
Willy Gerdsen’s influence has drawn Brock Messenger back to Canterbury United for a second season.
Auckland-based Messenger has worked with the German-born coach for eight of the past 10 years with various national youth teams and the East Coast Bays club.
They reunited at Canterbury last summer, where right back Messenger delivered a strong campaign and caught the eye with an added time screamer to beat WaiBop United 3-2 in Hamilton.
Messenger, 21, spent the offseason playing semi professionally for the Burlingame Dragons in San Francisco, who compete in the Premier Development League (PDL) - US football’s fourth tier. He was looking at remaining Stateside and exploring opportunities in the United Soccer League (USL), but with father, Ray, in and out of hospital with heart troubles wanted to be closer to family.
Messenger received interest from rival clubs, but signing with Canterbury and teaming up with Gerdsen, who converted him from a central defender to right fullback, was his preference.
‘‘I like to be loyal to where I’ve been before. I’ve known Willy for a while.
‘‘I’ve known him for 10 years now and he’s been coach eight of them. I owe him a lot of things.’’
Gerdsen rated Messenger as among the best right backs in the national league last season and believed he was capable of taking his play to an even higher level this season.
He will join a backline featuring experienced centre backs Tom Schwarz, Dan Terris and left back Andreas Wilson, who impressed last season.
Dutchman Colin van Gool can play as a central defender, while young fullbacks Nicholas Haworth and Jackson Brady will also be vying for gametime.
Gerdsen described Messenger as a ‘‘modern attacking fullback’’ and spoke highly of his pace, conditioning and ability to pop up and threaten on attack, scoring twice last season.
Messenger enjoyed his stint in the US, playing ‘‘13 or 14’’ games for Burlingame, alongside Canterbury recruit, striker Matt Wiesenfarth.
The former Junior All White is targeting a consistent season for Canterbury as he looks to push his claim for a national senior call-up. Securing a professional contract either with the Wellington Phoenix or offshore is another goal.
‘‘The All Whites is the number one thing I’m aiming for. Hopefully, if I have a good season then there’s no reason why I couldn’t do that.
‘‘You’ve got to play well and hope for the best. The Phoenix is also a big thing for me to try and crack into as well.’’
Messenger praised Canterbury’s board, who did a tremendous job looking after the side’s out of town players, which was integral in his resigning.
‘‘That was a huge factor in coming back down. The way we got treated last year.
‘‘It’s like a big family. I thought I’d repay the favour they showed me last year.’’
Messenger’s signing takes the Dragons’ squad to 19 for the upcoming season, which kicks off against Tasman United at Christchurch’s English Park on October 23.