By TERRY MADDAFORD
It is pay-back time for Michael Utting.
After a season as the standout player for the Football Kingz, the 32-year-old keeper has a chance to take his talents overseas again.
Utting, who has played in South Africa, will leave on Monday for a two-week trial with an unnamed Brunei
club.
If it like what it sees, Utting could return to play for the Brunei-based side in the Malaysian league.
While any deal would be a big step up from what Utting received at the Kingz, and he remains grateful for the chance the club gave him, there may be other financial hurdles yet to be cleared.
As a contracted Kingz player until June 30 - even though their season is long over - the club could hold him until that date when he would become a free agent. Alternatively, the Kingz could seek a signing on/transfer fee for Utting if the Brunei club wanted him before that date.
It would be harsh, indeed, if the Kingz stood in the way of Utting, who will certainly be named their player of the year.
The Kingz have yet to offer Utting a contract for the next NSL season.
All Whites coach Mick Waitt is in favour of the Brunei move and while he has yet to name his 23-man squad for the Confederations Cup in June, Utting, surely, can pack his bags.
The chance to play in Brunei would give him the ideal preparation for a return to the world stage after his alcohol-related problems before last year's Oceania Nations Cup.
