Shay-ke up for Shane; Ex-Halifax Kiwi Smeltz is flying: John Helm sport@examiner.co.uk

Huddersfield Daily Examiner (Huddersfield, England), June 24, 2009

Byline: John Helm

THERE are plenty of Yorkshire connections out here in South Africa.

Rotherham referee Howard Webb (pictured) is England's representative at the Confederations Cup and the New Zealand team has several squad members who played in the county.

Dave Mulligan, Jeremy Christie and Leo Bertos were all with Barnsley, Mulligan also played right back for Doncaster Rovers and goalkeeper Mark Paston had a spell with Bradford City, but perhaps the most remarkable story is of former Halifax Town striker Shane Smeltz.

s

After struggling to make an impact at the Shay, Shane returned to Kiwi land, scored enough goals for Wellington Phoenix to earn a lucrative move to the A League is Australia where he won the Golden Boot as top scorer last season for Gold Coast United.

He then went on to equal a long standing record by scoring in six consecutive internationals for New Zealand.

Smelt was even voted Man of the Match in the goalless draw with Iraq last weekend though he had to be the first to admit the honour should have gone to goalkeeper Glen Moss who helped his side to a first-ever point in the Confederations Cup at the eighth attempt.

Man of the match nominations really are a waste of time and often depend on who the sponsors want to meet after the match!

CAPTION(S):

KIWI POLISH: ex-Halifax Town player Shane Smeltz (right) is enjoying life as an international with New Zealand.