Soccer: Kingz fans key for top man

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The raucous support from Football Kingz fans helped to persuade died-in-the-wool Australian Mike Petersen to turn his back on National Soccer League giants South Melbourne and join the Auckland-based franchise.

Petersen will take up the newly created post of football manager with the Kingz almost immediately.

South Melbourne won the minor premiership before losing last Sunday's grand final to Wollongong.

Wynton Rufer, after two years as player-coach, has agreed to stay with the Kingz. He will join the club's board and become its ambassador to New Zealand Soccer.

"I had an option to stay with South Melbourne," Petersen said yesterday.

"I have been a supporter at the club since I was eight. Their president, George Vasilopoulos, is like a second father to me.

"I could have stayed, but felt it was time to move on."

Petersen was not on the long list of applicants for the job, but was approached by the Kingz.

It is understood there was a shortlist, but no New Zealander figured or had an interview.

He said he had been impressed by the environment at the club.

"The fans are amazing.

"If I had just watched my team go down 1-6 as the Kingz did when South Melbourne played here at the end of the season, I would have had to go underground.

"But the fans stayed and cheered their team. I hope I can build from that."

Asked whether he envisaged using Rufer as a player, Petersen said: "Wynton is not yet ready to commit in any way. He needs a break, but I still think he is a fabulous player."

Petersen said he would be sourcing all likely players before naming a final 18-man squad, which he hoped would start training next month.