New Zealand football legend Steve Sumner has lost his battle with prostate cancer at age 61.

Former All Whites captain Steve Sumner has died at the age of 61.

Sumner was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer in September 2015.

Last June he was informed the cancer had spread to his back, ribs, lymph nodes and liver.

Fairfax NZ Former All Whites captain Steve Sumner has died, age 61.

England-born Sumner is regarded as one of the most influential figures in New Zealand football.

READ MORE:

* Obituary: Sumner cult hero in rugby-mad NZ

* Sumner 'a giant, real warrior' of NZ football

* Smith: NZ football loses its greatest leader

* Sumner honoured for services to football

* All Whites great Sumner's cancer fight

ALDEN WILLIAMS/FAIRFAX NZ Steve Sumner was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016 for services to football.

His highlight was captaining the All Whites to their historic first World Cup finals, in Spain in 1982.

But the influence of the former Blackpool player spread wider than that after he arrived in New Zealand in 1973 and joined Christchurch United, helping them to the national league title in his debut season.

Sumner, an attacking midfielder, played 105 games for the All Whites over 12 years, scoring 27 goals.

Fairfax NZ Steve Sumner is crowded by young All Whites fans as he signs autographs in Christchurch in 1982.

He was the first Oceania player to score a World Cup finals goal, netting in the 5-2 loss to Scotland.

He helped Christchurch United win a record six Chatham Cups and five league titles. he also played for Manurewa and Gisborne City as well as West Adelaide and Newcastle in the Australian league.

In 1991, Sumner's feats for the All Whites were recognised when he was inducted into the New Zealand Soccer Media Association's Hall of Fame.

He received Fifa's highest honour - the Order of Merit award - in 2010 for services to football, on the back of the Fifa centennial merit award in 2004.

Sumner was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit last year for services to football.

But in terms of pure football, nothing could match the 15-game 1982 World Cup qualification campaign, that took the All Whites to nine countries, and had rugby-mad New Zealand suddenly fascinated with the round ball code. Sumner, along with manager John Adshead and coach Kevin Fallon, were very much the faces of the squad.



The 1982 All Whites team that went to the Fifa World Cup finals in Spain.

Sumner was on the executive board of the Wellington Phoenix as they looked to use his expertise, especially around professionalism.

Sumner was a willing pundit on the game for several media organisations, eager to provide a voice of reasons as the game staggered through controversies in New Zealand. He was desperate to see it prosper.

Over the last 18 months he was also desperate to see his personal health struggles provide an example to others, urging men to have regular prostate checks.