Soccer: Silva dumped as clearout continues

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The big broom has swept through the Football Kingz, with lively Chilean striker Aaron Silva among those no longer required.

General manager Chris Turner confirmed yesterday that Silva and fellow imports Julio Cuello (Argentina) and Andy Bluhm (Germany) had been released, as has young Aucklander Leigh Kenyon, who was hardly sighted last season.

German striker Dennis Ibrahim has not been released, but has yet to resign. It is understood Ibrahim - the Kingz' top goalscorer last season - is considering an offer from an Austrian club.

With the start of the 2001-2002 season still some weeks away, it is already obvious few familiar players will run out for the first game.

Turner insisted yesterday that only the five players - Harry Ngata, Jonathan Perry, Che Bunce, Levent Osman and Sean Douglas - heading into the second year of two-year contracts are certainties for the new season.

Of last year's squad, Ivan Vicelich (in Holland), Michael Cartwright (with NSL club Northern Spirit) and Lee Jones (in Finland) have already gone. Chris Jackson and Noah Hickey are awaiting work permits so they can take up contracts with English third division club Hull City. They are no longer wanted by the Kingz. Nor is All White Arran Lines, who is in Germany awaiting trials with Hanover and is likely to go to Austria for pre-season games next week.

Mark Burton is also in Germany but will be in Scotland within 10 days for trials at Aberdeen. If unsuccessful in winning a European contract, Burton could be back at the Kingz.

It is understood Hickey, who had few opportunities last season, was offered only slightly more to stay on at the Auckland-based club while Jackson was offered less.

Turner refused to be drawn on the number of Australian players likely to join Osman for the new season but said new coach Mike Petersen was free to name who he wanted in the 18-man squad.

Of other Kingz players from last season, it seems goalkeeper Chris Marsh, Jeff Campbell, Paul Urlovic, Riki van Steeden and Gerard Davis remain "in the picture" but who has, or has not, signed remains a mystery.

Tim Stevens and Simon Eaddy, who turned out spasmodically for the Kingz on incentive-based contracts, have yet to speak to Petersen.

Turner is adamant the squad - which stretched to 24 at one stage last season - will be restricted to 18 fulltime professionals this time, with or without Wynton Rufer.

"Any other players we use will be on performance-based contracts," said Turner. "Whether we will go to our maximum allowable three imports from outside Australia and Oceania remains to be seen."

Turner expects to name names soon. There will also be announcement in the "stadium stakes" with Ericsson and North Harbour Stadiums in the running.