July 13, 2024 • 11 mins
Wellington Phoenix standout Ben Old has moved to Ligue 1 football team Saint Etienne.
He caught up with Piney to discuss his time in the capital and how this move was brought about.
He told him that he was never in a rush to leave the Phoenix, but when he got the offer from Saint Etienne, he was hooked.
“It wasn’t the easiest thing to go through, but I’m so glad it’s all been sorted out now.”
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Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Another young Kiwi footballer has signed a deal with a
top European club. Following Phoenix goalkeeper Alex Paulson's move to
Premier League side Bournemouth last month. Standout midfielder Ben Old
has signed for top flight French club Saint Ettien on
a five year deal.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Old in the middle cram forievy barbarus a spos ben Old.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
It illustrates the point perfectly.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Yeah, what a season he had which turned heads all
over the place, including those at Saint Etienn. Obviously, Ben
Old is with us out of France. Massive congratulations being
on this significant move in your football career. Can you
give us the background? How did this all come about?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Yes, so happened quite quite a long time ago.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
Actually, it was just after we finished our semifinal game,
second semi final game which we got knocked out. My
agent Cord and to be honest, he was quite astonished it.
Who messaged him like, We've had a bit of interest
before that and there wasn't really anything clicking for me.
And at that time I was thinking maybe it might
(01:19):
be might be another season for me at the Phoenix,
I was never in a rush to leave, and then
when we got interest from them and I was able
to speak to them for the first time, I was
instantly looks like their detail and the project that the
leading through.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Obviously at that time they hadn't even.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
Gotten to Liguan, But even at this time, I would
have still signed for them, if even if they said
in the league too, because I know the project, I
know the history and the fans and everything about this
club I love. So I'm really happy to be a
safety sydn play now. Wasn't the easiest thing to go through,
but I'm so glad it's all being sorted out now.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Has this happened a bit quicker than you thought it might,
the move overseas?
Speaker 4 (02:02):
I mean, yeah, yeah, for sure. Like probably twelve months ago,
I was coming off the back of my injury and
just signed a three year deal with the Phoenix alongside Alex.
So I think if I, if I had the confidence
or like I knew that I was going to be
able to leave that season, I would have just let
my contract run down. But I was and no rush
(02:24):
to leave whatsoever because I knew there was so much
more I could develop at the Phoenix, and I had
to prove myself, but not only from myself personally, but
from the team's perspective.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
We created history.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
So I think it was a great time, not only
for me, but for a lot of the other players,
because not only we all had such great seasons, but
the team has such a great season, and that obviously
got the attention of a lot of a lot of clubs,
which hints is why there's so many teams coming for
our players. So I definitely didn't expect it, to answer
your question, but also, I think it's a great time
(02:57):
for me to move, and I think it's a good
I've learned as much as I can and the A League,
and I think I'm ready for that next step.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Tell us about the Saint In club. You're dealings with them,
putting this deal together. What have they been like to
deal with?
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Yeah, they've been amazing.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
I think the biggest worry that I had, which I
think a lot of people is probably question you'll ask,
it will be the language barrier. I always thought that
that might be a problem, but coming here, they all
speak very, very good English. They all seem to have
learned it at school, so they've all been so welcoming
and even though they might struggle at times, are so
(03:33):
open and wanting to learn to speak English with me.
And they've just been so easy through this whole process.
Like I said, it's not been the easiest in terms
of getting all the stuff done with the medical because
there's so much stuff to get done, especially over here,
but they've been amazing. They put me up in hotels
and been perfect for me, and now that it's all
(03:55):
been sorted, it's been amazing, definitely making it an easy
and much easier process for me.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
And you will welcome to the club through their social
media team with this amazing welcome video, which for Chured,
an artist painting a picture of Yakoo, was that.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
Yeah, I know this is very cool, Like obviously we
see it a lot where a lot of signings over
in Europe, but you never really expect it to be
done for yourself. And they briefly mentioned it to me
before going over that they wanted to do something special,
but I had no idea what it was going to be.
And I just turned up because I said, oh, we're
going to do some media stuff. And I turned up
(04:32):
and walked around the corner and I saw the paintings,
so it was just as much of a surprise for
me as it was for you guys when it got released,
and it was such an amazing experience for me, and I
think it just adds on top of how great the
experience has been for me since coming here.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Yeah, so cool. So have you started training with the
club yet? Have you have you met your teammates?
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Unfortunately not, I've I've just finished, like I said, all
the medical work and I had my first official day here.
But I picked up a bit of an ankle problem
at the Nation's Cup. Nothing serious at all, but they
picked it up during the medical work, and they really
want me to be able to go to the Olympics,
so they're not wanting me to risk anything, you know.
(05:12):
I think that's another testament to them is that they
could quite easily be like, oh, we prefer you're not
to go go to the Olympics, or just want me
to train and just be like suck it up. But
they're doing exactly what is best for me, and even
though it might be not be the best for them,
they know this is such an important thing for me
(05:33):
to go to the Olympics, and this on my side
completely with that. So they've been amazing and hopefully I'll
be able to train with them within the next couple
days or so.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Good stuff. So what's your gut feel been on game
time for the first team. You're not going to go
out on loan or anything. You're you're going to be
training with the first team squad pushing for minutes. What's
your gut feel on how quickly you'll be able to
stake your claim for some minutes.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
Yes, it's a hard, hard question to answer because I
would never want to say I'm going to be playing
or not playing. But I think one of the biggest
things for me was when picking a club was that
it was going to be a place where I could develop,
but most importantly be playing because I've missed a lot
of game time over the last year and a half
because of my injury, and I don't want to go
(06:18):
back into that side coin I think for my development
right now, I need to be able to play. So
even though I can't guarantee anything and I wouldn't expect to,
especially starting in a league on side, I think from
the talks that I've had with them, I've got that
opportunity to be able to start for them, and I
think I prove myself, which I think I can. I've
(06:38):
got a great chance to be able to be playing
a lot and league. But again, there's a lot of
games and these seasons and including the Cup, so I'm
not expecting to just go out and play every single minute.
But I think there's definitely a lot of opportunity to
get a lot of game time in this first season.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
You talked about about your time at the Phoenix before that,
the latter part of it, but you were there for
a long time, being, you know, from your academy days,
playing out at Freight to Park for the reserve team,
and then an a league debut during that the COVID period,
and then obviously an integral part of the side in
the season that's just finished. How do you reflect on
your time with Wellington Phoenix the whole time there.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
Yeah, as a whole, it's been amazing.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
I think I mentioned it in my release that there's
been ups and downs, which it's been like that for
any plan. I think without those downs, I don't think
I would have been the player that I have been.
But since going through the academy and through my three
years as a professional. It's all been so amazing. I've
learned so much from everyone that's coming gone, so I've
(07:40):
got nothing to complain about it at all. Like I said,
I had the injury which put me out for a
long time, but I learned so much during that and
would easily say that I don't think i'd be where
I am today without the injury because I think I've
learned so much and developed as a player from that.
So there's been a lot of ups and downs, but
I don't think i'd change anything and those six years
(08:01):
so I've really enjoyed my time with the academy and
the first team and definitely going to miss it.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
You mentioned the Olympics. D You're off to the Olympics shortly.
Don't have to go very far. They're in Paris. Of
course you're already in France. But how exciting a prospect
is wearing that silver fern at an Olympic Games for
New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Yeah, it's funny because we're contemplating whether I even train
down there, it's that close. But no, it's such an
amazing opportunity for myself and a lot of players, Like
there's so many Phoenix players involved in this Olympic side,
which is amazing. But I was obviously involved with the
previous Olympics in Tokyo, but I wasn't able to play.
(08:42):
So I can't wait to get into this group and
hopefully be able to get a good amount of game time.
And we created the history last Olympics, and I think
we can do even better this time. I know we've
got a very difficult pool, but I think with the
team that we've got and the chemistry we have, we
could do do very well. So I can't wait to
be able to represent the Fern again and be able
(09:03):
to play against some of the best players in the world.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Yeah, I can't wait just to finish. You mentioned it
slightly before and that you're you can communicate in English
with most of your teammates and the others there, but
you are living in France, so get the feeling you'll
be speaking some French. Did you take it at school?
Have you got any any kind of rudimentary, you know,
background in the French language to fall back on.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
No, I'm literally from square one. So everyone's wanting to
make bets with me about how long it's going to
take for me to become fluent I made it a
little side bit with the one of the owners actually
here because he's learning it as well. So I've said
within six months that I'll be hopefully fluent, so that
I've put it out there now, so hopefully I'll be
(09:45):
able to be fluent pretty quickly. I think being immersed
with it all is going to help me. But it's
definitely something that that's tough, and it's hard to talk
to a lot of people. But like I said, they're
very open to speaking English and I think it'll be
quite rewarding. What's I learned French to be able to
talk to them them all properly.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Absolutely well, it's terrific news for you, being well earned
and an amazing a league season you had and Eve
earned this move and yeah, we just can't wait to
see how you go. It's Saint Ettian and of course
at the Olympics which are rushing up pretty fast. Really
you take I appreciate you taking the time for a chat.
Thanks and all the very best, mate, Thank you very much.
It's been old former Phoenix player now a Saint etty
(10:25):
En player. Just can't wait to see how he goes.
I've got the chance to watch Ben Old for pretty
much his entire Phoenix career, through the academy and then
into the first team, and he always just seemed like
he had something special about him. This isn't a surprise,
I'm sure to anybody who has watched Ben Old play
textra What an impressive young guy. He is very impressive
off the field as well. You can hear him chat.
(10:47):
There is only what twenty one. I think he is
so like you know, he speaks, you know, with such
maturity and just the way he plays. If he's a
name to look out for, Ben Old, Allen says, Ponty,
can you help me? Is bojed Ar Krayev still a
Phoenix player or has he moved? Allen? They haven't quite
come to a conclude on that one yet. Bosjered Arkrayv
(11:08):
is the only player actually who was not from last
season squad either confirmed as staying or going. I think
they really want him to stay. They're very very keen
on getting bojered Ar Kraiev to extend his contract. It's
just whether they can afford it or not. So yeah,
watch this space is all I can tell you on that.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Vine
from News Talk ZEDB.
Speaker 2 (00:12):
Another young Kiwi footballer has signed a deal with a
top European club. Following Phoenix goalkeeper Alex Paulson's move to
Premier League side Bournemouth last month. Standout midfielder Ben Old
has signed for top flight French club Saint Ettien on
a five year deal.
Speaker 1 (00:31):
Old in the middle cram forievy barbarus a spos ben Old.
Speaker 3 (00:36):
It illustrates the point perfectly.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
Yeah, what a season he had which turned heads all
over the place, including those at Saint Etienn. Obviously, Ben
Old is with us out of France. Massive congratulations being
on this significant move in your football career. Can you
give us the background? How did this all come about?
Speaker 3 (00:55):
Yes, so happened quite quite a long time ago.
Speaker 4 (00:58):
Actually, it was just after we finished our semifinal game,
second semi final game which we got knocked out. My
agent Cord and to be honest, he was quite astonished it.
Who messaged him like, We've had a bit of interest
before that and there wasn't really anything clicking for me.
And at that time I was thinking maybe it might
(01:19):
be might be another season for me at the Phoenix,
I was never in a rush to leave, and then
when we got interest from them and I was able
to speak to them for the first time, I was
instantly looks like their detail and the project that the
leading through.
Speaker 3 (01:35):
Obviously at that time they hadn't even.
Speaker 4 (01:37):
Gotten to Liguan, But even at this time, I would
have still signed for them, if even if they said
in the league too, because I know the project, I
know the history and the fans and everything about this
club I love. So I'm really happy to be a
safety sydn play now. Wasn't the easiest thing to go through,
but I'm so glad it's all being sorted out now.
Speaker 2 (01:58):
Has this happened a bit quicker than you thought it might,
the move overseas?
Speaker 4 (02:02):
I mean, yeah, yeah, for sure. Like probably twelve months ago,
I was coming off the back of my injury and
just signed a three year deal with the Phoenix alongside Alex.
So I think if I, if I had the confidence
or like I knew that I was going to be
able to leave that season, I would have just let
my contract run down. But I was and no rush
(02:24):
to leave whatsoever because I knew there was so much
more I could develop at the Phoenix, and I had
to prove myself, but not only from myself personally, but
from the team's perspective.
Speaker 3 (02:33):
We created history.
Speaker 4 (02:35):
So I think it was a great time, not only
for me, but for a lot of the other players,
because not only we all had such great seasons, but
the team has such a great season, and that obviously
got the attention of a lot of a lot of clubs,
which hints is why there's so many teams coming for
our players. So I definitely didn't expect it, to answer
your question, but also, I think it's a great time
(02:57):
for me to move, and I think it's a good
I've learned as much as I can and the A League,
and I think I'm ready for that next step.
Speaker 2 (03:05):
Tell us about the Saint In club. You're dealings with them,
putting this deal together. What have they been like to
deal with?
Speaker 3 (03:11):
Yeah, they've been amazing.
Speaker 4 (03:12):
I think the biggest worry that I had, which I
think a lot of people is probably question you'll ask,
it will be the language barrier. I always thought that
that might be a problem, but coming here, they all
speak very, very good English. They all seem to have
learned it at school, so they've all been so welcoming
and even though they might struggle at times, are so
(03:33):
open and wanting to learn to speak English with me.
And they've just been so easy through this whole process.
Like I said, it's not been the easiest in terms
of getting all the stuff done with the medical because
there's so much stuff to get done, especially over here,
but they've been amazing. They put me up in hotels
and been perfect for me, and now that it's all
(03:55):
been sorted, it's been amazing, definitely making it an easy
and much easier process for me.
Speaker 2 (04:01):
And you will welcome to the club through their social
media team with this amazing welcome video, which for Chured,
an artist painting a picture of Yakoo, was that.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
Yeah, I know this is very cool, Like obviously we
see it a lot where a lot of signings over
in Europe, but you never really expect it to be
done for yourself. And they briefly mentioned it to me
before going over that they wanted to do something special,
but I had no idea what it was going to be.
And I just turned up because I said, oh, we're
going to do some media stuff. And I turned up
(04:32):
and walked around the corner and I saw the paintings,
so it was just as much of a surprise for
me as it was for you guys when it got released,
and it was such an amazing experience for me, and I
think it just adds on top of how great the
experience has been for me since coming here.
Speaker 2 (04:46):
Yeah, so cool. So have you started training with the
club yet? Have you have you met your teammates?
Speaker 4 (04:52):
Unfortunately not, I've I've just finished, like I said, all
the medical work and I had my first official day here.
But I picked up a bit of an ankle problem
at the Nation's Cup. Nothing serious at all, but they
picked it up during the medical work, and they really
want me to be able to go to the Olympics,
so they're not wanting me to risk anything, you know.
(05:12):
I think that's another testament to them is that they
could quite easily be like, oh, we prefer you're not
to go go to the Olympics, or just want me
to train and just be like suck it up. But
they're doing exactly what is best for me, and even
though it might be not be the best for them,
they know this is such an important thing for me
(05:33):
to go to the Olympics, and this on my side
completely with that. So they've been amazing and hopefully I'll
be able to train with them within the next couple
days or so.
Speaker 2 (05:42):
Good stuff. So what's your gut feel been on game
time for the first team. You're not going to go
out on loan or anything. You're you're going to be
training with the first team squad pushing for minutes. What's
your gut feel on how quickly you'll be able to
stake your claim for some minutes.
Speaker 4 (05:57):
Yes, it's a hard, hard question to answer because I
would never want to say I'm going to be playing
or not playing. But I think one of the biggest
things for me was when picking a club was that
it was going to be a place where I could develop,
but most importantly be playing because I've missed a lot
of game time over the last year and a half
because of my injury, and I don't want to go
(06:18):
back into that side coin I think for my development
right now, I need to be able to play. So
even though I can't guarantee anything and I wouldn't expect to,
especially starting in a league on side, I think from
the talks that I've had with them, I've got that
opportunity to be able to start for them, and I
think I prove myself, which I think I can. I've
(06:38):
got a great chance to be able to be playing
a lot and league. But again, there's a lot of
games and these seasons and including the Cup, so I'm
not expecting to just go out and play every single minute.
But I think there's definitely a lot of opportunity to
get a lot of game time in this first season.
Speaker 2 (06:54):
You talked about about your time at the Phoenix before that,
the latter part of it, but you were there for
a long time, being, you know, from your academy days,
playing out at Freight to Park for the reserve team,
and then an a league debut during that the COVID period,
and then obviously an integral part of the side in
the season that's just finished. How do you reflect on
your time with Wellington Phoenix the whole time there.
Speaker 3 (07:17):
Yeah, as a whole, it's been amazing.
Speaker 4 (07:19):
I think I mentioned it in my release that there's
been ups and downs, which it's been like that for
any plan. I think without those downs, I don't think
I would have been the player that I have been.
But since going through the academy and through my three
years as a professional. It's all been so amazing. I've
learned so much from everyone that's coming gone, so I've
(07:40):
got nothing to complain about it at all. Like I said,
I had the injury which put me out for a
long time, but I learned so much during that and
would easily say that I don't think i'd be where
I am today without the injury because I think I've
learned so much and developed as a player from that.
So there's been a lot of ups and downs, but
I don't think i'd change anything and those six years
(08:01):
so I've really enjoyed my time with the academy and
the first team and definitely going to miss it.
Speaker 2 (08:06):
You mentioned the Olympics. D You're off to the Olympics shortly.
Don't have to go very far. They're in Paris. Of
course you're already in France. But how exciting a prospect
is wearing that silver fern at an Olympic Games for
New Zealand.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
Yeah, it's funny because we're contemplating whether I even train
down there, it's that close. But no, it's such an
amazing opportunity for myself and a lot of players, Like
there's so many Phoenix players involved in this Olympic side,
which is amazing. But I was obviously involved with the
previous Olympics in Tokyo, but I wasn't able to play.
(08:42):
So I can't wait to get into this group and
hopefully be able to get a good amount of game time.
And we created the history last Olympics, and I think
we can do even better this time. I know we've
got a very difficult pool, but I think with the
team that we've got and the chemistry we have, we
could do do very well. So I can't wait to
be able to represent the Fern again and be able
(09:03):
to play against some of the best players in the world.
Speaker 2 (09:05):
Yeah, I can't wait just to finish. You mentioned it
slightly before and that you're you can communicate in English
with most of your teammates and the others there, but
you are living in France, so get the feeling you'll
be speaking some French. Did you take it at school?
Have you got any any kind of rudimentary, you know,
background in the French language to fall back on.
Speaker 4 (09:23):
No, I'm literally from square one. So everyone's wanting to
make bets with me about how long it's going to
take for me to become fluent I made it a
little side bit with the one of the owners actually
here because he's learning it as well. So I've said
within six months that I'll be hopefully fluent, so that
I've put it out there now, so hopefully I'll be
(09:45):
able to be fluent pretty quickly. I think being immersed
with it all is going to help me. But it's
definitely something that that's tough, and it's hard to talk
to a lot of people. But like I said, they're
very open to speaking English and I think it'll be
quite rewarding. What's I learned French to be able to
talk to them them all properly.
Speaker 2 (10:02):
Absolutely well, it's terrific news for you, being well earned
and an amazing a league season you had and Eve
earned this move and yeah, we just can't wait to
see how you go. It's Saint Ettian and of course
at the Olympics which are rushing up pretty fast. Really
you take I appreciate you taking the time for a chat.
Thanks and all the very best, mate, Thank you very much.
It's been old former Phoenix player now a Saint etty
(10:25):
En player. Just can't wait to see how he goes.
I've got the chance to watch Ben Old for pretty
much his entire Phoenix career, through the academy and then
into the first team, and he always just seemed like
he had something special about him. This isn't a surprise,
I'm sure to anybody who has watched Ben Old play
textra What an impressive young guy. He is very impressive
off the field as well. You can hear him chat.
(10:47):
There is only what twenty one. I think he is
so like you know, he speaks, you know, with such
maturity and just the way he plays. If he's a
name to look out for, Ben Old, Allen says, Ponty,
can you help me? Is bojed Ar Krayev still a
Phoenix player or has he moved? Allen? They haven't quite
come to a conclude on that one yet. Bosjered Arkrayv
(11:08):
is the only player actually who was not from last
season squad either confirmed as staying or going. I think
they really want him to stay. They're very very keen
on getting bojered Ar Kraiev to extend his contract. It's
just whether they can afford it or not. So yeah,
watch this space is all I can tell you on that.
Speaker 1 (11:26):
For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live
to News Talk said B weekends from midday, or follow
the podcast on iHeartRadio
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