Keinzley praises Mayor Daniell

Discussions aimed at providing Wairarapa United with a suitable home ground in Masterton for the 2010 football season onwards seem headed towards a positive outcome.
Wairarapa United chairman Phil Keinzley will meet Masterton Mayor Garry Daniell and the council's chief executive Wes ten Hove and parks and recreation manager Garth Hathaway tomorrow with hopes high a solution agreeable to all parties will be forthcoming.
While unwilling to speculate publicly on what that solution may be, Keinzley was quick to pay tribute yesterday to the groundwork done by Mayor Daniell since the possibility of Wairarapa United having to be disbanded because of problems at their present home base, Pugh Sports Bowl, were raised in the Wairarapa Times-Age.
Those problems involved the lack of preparatory work done to have the playing surface up to the standard required for Central League matches and also the inadequacy of the changing room facilities there.
Indeed the poor state of the ground conditions has seen Wairarapa United play just three of their home games at the Pugh Sports Bowl this season with others being transferred to either the Queen Elizabeth Park Oval or Hullena Park.
"I think it's fair to say Garry Daniell has pulled out all stops to come up with an answer which will be good for the whole of the football community" Keinzley said.
"His support has been very encouraging and there's a fair degree of optimism a positive outcome will be found."
So encouraged is Keinzley at the Mayor's input, in fact, he is "very probably" going to readdress his decision to stand down as Wairarapa United chairman and Central League coach because of his frustrations over the Pugh Sports Bowl situation.
Keinzley said then he had become sick and tired of banging his head against a brick wall at council inaction but Daniell's latest response has been heartening enough for him to have a rethink.
"Yes, things have changed dramatically enough for a possible change of heart but right now that's not the priority, getting a home ground which is up to scratch is number one in that regard," he said.
Adding further to the importance of Wairarapa United's home ground hassles being solved is the news that all members of their current Central League squad seem certain to be available for selection against next season.
And, that being the case, they would have to a serious contender for the title judging by their finish to this season which has seen them win their last five matches in a row and become the top-placed, non-Wellington side in the competition, above the premier club sides from Hawke's Bay, Taranaki and Palmerston North.
Keinzley said Wairarapa United's success had, in fact, led to a number of inquiries from well-performed players in other central league clubs expressing an interest on joining them next year.
"I think there is a general recognition of the potential we have to do something special in 2010," he said.