Soccer: Depleted Kingz face test of character to get fans back on side

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Forever the optimist, Kingz chief executive Chris Turner is convinced "all will be right on the day" as he looks ahead to the start of the Football Kingz' fourth season, on September 22.

But he would say that, wouldn't he? After all, the future of the club hinges on a much-improved showing after a disaster which masqueraded as a football season.

Turner, casting an eye over the team's first training session at their new Pt Chevalier headquarters yesterday, is convinced that the Kingz are capable of getting away from the bottom of the 13-team competition and perhaps even into a position from where they can challenge for a place in the top six.

But, with only nine players on hand yesterday and few contracts signed, there is much to be done.

Turner's enthusiasm remains as strong as ever. He was even into buzzwords such as a "New Zealand culture" when looking at likely players and the club's ambitions.

But he admitted that putting a team together would not be easy.

The money being offered this season was below that paid last time.

"It is not a greatly reduced amount," Turner said. "Obviously no one wants a pay cut, but the players understand. It is a business reality.

"They all accept last year was not a good one for the Football Kingz. The crowds were down. They know that if they pick it up, things will get better. All contracts this time will be for one year with a base payment plus bonuses.

"We are still looking at bringing in two or three players - possibly from Britain."

Of suggestions the club might follow the lead of some Australian sides in bringing in a high-profile player for a short stint - perhaps two or three games - Turner said it was something the Kingz had not done before.

"But we would listen to any offer and consider it. Talk of a player such as Paul Gascoigne coming is just that - pure speculation at this stage."

Of suggestions the Kingz were keen to sell Mark Burton - their highest-paid player, who has two years of a three-year contract to run - Turner said there had been some interest from Scottish premier club Dunfermline Athletic.

"But I have heard no more than that. Mark Burton is a quality footballer who was the player of the tournament at the Oceania Nations Cup. He obviously has a lot to offer the Kingz."

The talk is that the club are keen to on-sell Burton and use the money that the sale would free up - as well as a transfer fee which could top $500,000 - to bolster the squad.

"Two Australian players have approached us expressing an interest in playing here, but wherever possible we would want to sign New Zealanders," Turner said. "That remains our priority and, hopefully, by the end of the week we will be close to doing that.

"We should also know by then if Michael Theoklitos is going to return or whether he has been offered a contract by Blackpool or another club in Britain."

The Kingz are also negotiating with All Whites goalkeeper James Bannatyne as their second goalkeeping option.

Jason Batty, one of the club's first-season signings who later took the Kingz to court and successfully sued them over a contract conflict, remains on the outer. Turner said there were many fences that would have to be mended before Batty was considered an option.

With two months to kick-off Turner admits recruitment is the priority. So is getting players into work and into pre-season warm-up matches.

"I'm not too concerned," Turner said. "Come September 22, I'm confident we will have a competitive team."