Soccer: Knights to keep rightful place

The New Zealand Knights have been given the tick of approval from the highest possible level. There is even the suggestion that down the track they could be joined by a second New Zealand team in the A-League.

Speaking at the launch of the Hyundai A-League Version 2 in Sydney yesterday, Frank Lowy, chairman of the Football Federation of Australia, said: "The Knights are important to us and will continue to take their rightful place in the league.

"It's wonderful to have them in our competition. Who knows, when the league is expanded there could be two teams [from New Zealand]."

As clubs prepare for the kick-off of the second season this week, Lowy said it might not be too long before another two, possibly four, teams are added.

Wollongong and Canberra - two of the teams discarded when the old NSL gave way to the A-League - are on the short list. Other possibilities include Far North Queensland (based in Cairns) and the Gold Coast, who have yet to play at national level.

Asked whether there was any possibility of a South African team joining, Lowy said that was unlikely but did not dismiss an expansion into Asia.

Lowy was not expecting the same degree of financial difficulty clubs experienced in the inaugural A-League season and pointed, in particular, to champions Sydney FC.

"We know Sydney lost a lot of money," said Lowy. "It was not a pleasant experience. No doubt there will be a tighter ship at Sydney FC this year."

FFA operations manager Matt Carroll said while the federation continued to monitor the Knights - as well as all other clubs - he remained confident of a turnaround this season. "There has been a positive change off the field and they appear to have recruited well on it," said Carroll. "Like all clubs, they will share in the financial bonanza which has followed the signing of the new television contract with Fox Sports. All clubs will receive A$1.2 million, of which they have already had A$300,000. With other sponsorship income, that figure should reach A$1.5 million.

"It appears that there are no pressing financial problems as we go into the new season. Clubs are working hard and cashing in on the interest which came with the Socceroos playing at the World Cup."

Carroll said he and FFA chief executive John O'Neill planned to meet Knights chairman Anthony Lee. He confirmed that "once they find the right chairman", Lee is prepared to step down but only if he gets the right directors around the board table. "Anthony accepts there were many things that were not right in the first season," said Carroll. "He wants to get it right."

Carroll maintains regular contact with London-based benefactor Brian Katzen, who he said was very committed. "But it comes down to the team winning games, attracting people through the gates and building commercial partnerships."

Carroll said there remained a close association between the FFA and New Zealand Soccer. Of the role All Whites coach Ricki Herbert will play, Carroll said "that involvement is still there" but he remained open-minded on how it will work.

"The Knights are there to stay. We want them to succeed," Carroll said. "I would still like to see more New Zealand players involved and have spoken to [NZS chief executive] Graham Seatter. My understanding is that they are still keen to see it happen."