Soccer: Fallon strides into breach at Kingz

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Kevin Fallon, never one to turn his back on a challenge, has, as expected, picked up the coaching reins at the Football Kingz.

But it might not be all plain sailing for 52-year-old Fallon, who may or may not have the services of "a bitterly disappointed" Shane Rufer as his assistant or Wynton Rufer as a player.

In confirming Fallon's appointment for the remaining 20 or so weeks of the 2001-02 season, Kingz chief executive Chris Turner said: "Kevin Fallon is the best coach in New Zealand. No disrespect to Shane Rufer, Kevin Fallon is the best in the country."

Fallon will have to work quickly to produce the results to back those claims.

Four months ago, when the Kingz appointed Mike Petersen as football manager - in reality, coach - Fallon did not reach first base.

Now he has been handed the job purely, according to Kingz chairman Paul Smart, on his coaching ability.

It cannot be easy for Fallon, who admits his players "know more about what has been going on at the Kingz than I do."

Fallon's first assignment will be a "howdy-do" with "the half of the squad I have never met."

Asked about training this morning, Fallon did not know what was planned.

Told the players would have a "recovery session," Fallon could only raise his hardly insignificant eyebrows.

After clearing the way with Mt Albert Grammar School, where he has conducted a highly successful academy programme, Fallon is ready for action.

"I'm told [fitness trainer] Darren Welch is still in place," Fallon said. "I'm looking forward to working with him, but I'm well-versed in sports science as well.

"Obviously we have to get to work. I need to look at the team structure, work on the defence - and work on the attack. I see this as a top-six team.

"This is going to be a learning curve for me. There is so much to do, but first off I want to talk to the staff and players."

With Wynton Rufer's likely non-availability, Con Boutsianis already gone, three players on the injured list, one under suspension and four on week-by-week contracts, Fallon has hardly inherited the greatest squad, but one, nevertheless, that Shane Rufer coached to take four of a possible six away points in their last two outings.

In announcing Fallon's appointment and in answer to Shane Rufer's future, Turner said: "I spoke to Shane two hours ago. He has gone home to get over his disappointment."

Smart was even blunter in saying: "Shane Rufer is not ready for the step up."

John Fellett, a Sky Television [the Kingz owners] and Football Kingz board member, when asked about Wynton Rufer's future, said: "Wynton has been asked to stay on. We have asked him to consider his decision overnight. We would like him to stay."

Asked about the likely relationship between Fallon and Wynton Rufer - less than three years ago Fallon replaced Wynton Rufer as coach of the New Zealand under-17 team - Turner said: "Only Kevin Fallon and Wynton Rufer can answer questions on their relationship.

But Turner did add that Wynton Rufer had told him that if Shane Rufer was not appointed as coach, he did not want to play.

"When I spoke to Wynton at lunchtime he told me that at that stage he would not play for the rest of the season. He believed Shane was the best for the job."

Wynton Rufer, who is also on the Kingz board, was refusing to talk last night.

Shane Rufer, too, was unavailable for comment.

There will, no doubt be contractual issues.

These and others need the most urgent attention so Fallon, and whoever, can get on with it.