Soccer: New Kingz march forth

By TERRY MADDAFORD

For Mark Burton and his Football Kingz team-mates season 2001-02 was one they would rather forget.

On Sunday, under a new coaching regime, with new owners and from a new training base, the club kicks off its fourth season with a home game against Sydney United at Ericsson Stadium.

It is, in many ways, make or break for the club.

While chief executive and major shareholder Chris Turner, rightly, insists their future is assured, there remain many sceptics - especially across the Tasman - who are waiting for another disaster and the chance to see the back of the Auckland-based franchise.

The challenge for Turner and new coaches Ken Dugdale and Stu Jacobs is to turn it around - but on a reduced budget.

Much will depend on the senior players, including Burton, goalkeeper Michael Utting, Jonathan Perry, Hiroshi Miyazawa, Andy Vlahos and captain Chris Jackson.

Burton, after wearing shirts bearing No 15 and then No 13 in his first two seasons, this time lines up in No 7 - his All Whites shirt number.

"The numbers are getting smaller but I don't see it going all the way to No 1. I'm not likely to ever be asked to play in goal," he joked.

On a more serious note, Burton, who began his playing days with Brooklyn Northern United in Wellington and then Miramar Rangers before being whisked to Germany and Werder Bremen by Wynton Rufer, still hankers to play professionally overseas.

He realises those chances depend on form.

"I'm 100 per cent fit and ready to play," said Burton during a break in a hectic training regime this week. "And there is a good team spirit. We have done a lot of good work and the results of the games [against fellow NSL club Northern Spirit] in Wellington showed we are on the right track."

While the Kingz too often struggled to score goals, much of last season's poor results were attributable to shocking defensive blunders - and, to be fair, often not involving now-departed goalkeeper Michael Theoklitos.

"We let in a lot of goals for sure," said Burton. "In any game, attack has to be built on solid defence. We did not do that. We now have to buckle down and work on getting that right - then build from there.

"I'm sure we have the players to do the job. We have creative ability in players like Patricio Almendra and Andy Vlahos and pace with Mark Beldham. I'm sure we will do okay up front."

Burton has played an attacking central midfield role in lead-up games.

"That is my preference. I like to play in behind the front two."

Signed to a three-year contract before the start of last season, Burton has the security of another two seasons with the club but that, he insists, does not lead to any complacency.

"Once you have signed as a professional player you are always going to do your best," said Burton, who also dismisses suggestions that fellow squad members are unhappy he was signed to a long-term contract while they are playing for less money under tight budget constraints.

In looking to the season ahead, Burton and the rest know there is only one way the team can go.

While they can talk the talk and even walk the walk, they must get out and produce the results.

They have a tough start to their season.

The game against Sydney United is followed by the away match against Northern Spirit. Then come minor premiers Perth Glory (home), Wollongong Wolves (away) and defending champions Olympic Sharks (home).

The Kingz do not have their byes until round 11 - at the end of November - and round 24 in February.