By TERRY MADDAFORD
A return to North Harbour Stadium is one option being considered by the Football Kingz for next season.
Kingz chief executive Chris Turner said yesterday that the club had yet to formalise their place in next season's National Soccer League, but they were working through a number of
issues.
"I fully understand why people are asking what is happening and how far on we are with confirming our place in next season's league, but we are not putting time lines on anything," Turner said.
"We have nothing more to say at this stage. As I have said all along, there will be no comment from the club until the [participation agreement] process is complete."
The club must satisfy New Zealand Soccer - and, in turn, Soccer Australia - that all is in order after its change of ownership.
Turner and fellow Kingz director Ted Midlane took a majority shareholding from former owners Sky Television in March.
"There are a number of key issues which must then be decided," Turner said.
"Obviously, the coach, players and the stadium are the most pressing."
Turner said the Kingz' two-year agreement with Ericsson Stadium was up for renewal.
And North Harbour Stadium, the Kingz home for their first season, was again in the picture.
There has been speculation that the 13 teams who played this season will line up next season in a league played over three rather than two rounds, with each club guaranteed 18 home games.
The Kingz could opt to play some games outside Auckland, but a decision on that is unlikely to be made until a start date - perhaps October - is finally confirmed.
"I have put people in the picture but nothing will be definite until the process is complete," Turner said.
He said he would attend a meeting of all NSL clubs in Sydney this month.
He hoped all off-field issues would have been addressed before the meeting.
New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan said he was still awaiting detailed information from Turner before going back to Soccer Australia.
"I have approval from my board to get this thing finalised," MacGowan said.
"We are still waiting for the same information we were six weeks ago."
All Whites coach Mick Waitt is today expected to name an expanded squad of 32 players. The 18-man team for July's Oceania Nations Cup will be selected from the squad.
By TERRY MADDAFORD
A return to North Harbour Stadium is one option being considered by the Football Kingz for next season.
Kingz chief executive Chris Turner said yesterday that the club had yet to formalise their place in next season's National Soccer League, but they were working through a number of
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