Soccer: Kingz' place in league is safe

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Off-field tension is building as four Australian National Soccer League clubs face the chop for the 2001-2002 season.

The exodus of top players from Australia, and to a lesser extent New Zealand, to overseas clubs is partially being blamed for the decision to reduce the number of league teams.

A meeting of the 16 incumbent clubs in Sydney were told that the league will be trimmed to 12.

The Auckland-based Football Kingz are assured of holding their place, provided they continue to meet the criteria.

"Soccer Australia formally confirmed their board's decision to reduce the number of teams next season," Kingz general manager Chris Turner said yesterday on his return from the meeting. "The plan is to play three rounds - 33 games - as opposed to the 30 played now.

"All clubs have been given the new criteria. It's obvious some of them are fighting for their lives. In simple terms, the clubs have to prove every year they are a going concern."

While financial considerations remain paramount, grounds, facilities and the geographical spread will also play a part.

Some clubs, including the Kingz, Perth Glory, Newcastle Breakers, Brisbane Strikers, Northern Spirit (Sydney), Parramatta Power, Wollongong Wolves, Adelaide City Force, Sydney Olympic and South Melbourne, are certain survivors.

Others, such as Canberra Cosmos, who struggle to get 1000 paying spectators, Melbourne clubs Carlton and Eastern Pride, and Sydney United, might struggle to hold their places.

While Turner said he did not sense any anti-Kingz sentiments at the meeting, he was certain there were some clubs who were not so sure about their own survival.

"There are probably four who suspect they might be in for the chop. I had the feeling that most clubs felt the Kingz were good for the league."

Clubs must complete a "participation agreement" by December 31. Soccer Australia will decide by the end of April, but clubs will not learn their fate until after the grand final on June 3.

If 12 of the incumbent clubs meet the criteria, no new clubs will be invited.

"There is no doubt the large number of players with offshore clubs has had an effect," Turner said. "The whole purpose of the exercise is to lift the standard."

Perth, with an average gate of 15,000, remains the most prosperous. Most clubs count on average attendances of 4000 to 8000.

The Kingz, according to Turner, are slightly in the top half in the attendance stakes, and in the top 25 per cent in terms of overall budget.

The attendance at last Friday's game against Adelaide was given as 6900.