KEY POINTS:
It's not nearly enough to fund the Knights but New Zealand Soccer have been pledged close to $200,000 since starting their hunt for money to finance the club.
In what could be viewed as a modern-day Telethon, NZS chief executive Graham Seatter on Friday called for expressions of
interest to help raise $2 million initially needed by January 31 to convince the FFA to keep the licence in New Zealand. At least $5 million would be needed to ensure the club's longevity.
"One guy said he's got $20,000, another has $50,000 and a group in Christchurch said they might have $100,000," Seatter said. "These are relatively low levels and we would need a lot of them. I've also been talking to other people who are talking bigger numbers but it's still early days.
"I'm quite encouraged by what has already happened and have had contact with people who are not just dreamers. I'm an optimist. I would say we've got about a 40 per cent chance of pulling this off."
If they do, Seatter has said it's "non-negotiable" that All Whites coach and Knights caretaker Ricki Herbert would manage the side.
Herbert's first priority is putting out a team to take on Queensland on Friday and the players are expected to return to training on Boxing Day.
They're also expected to sign short-term deals this week to the end of the season but many are determined to see their original contracts honoured and are prepared to go to court.
Che Bunce, Darren Bazeley, Jonas Salley, Richard Johnson and Michael Turnbull had another season left so have more to lose than the rest.
Bunce, the team's PFA representative, said while they hoped things could be sorted out with the FFA, they were prepared to go to court.
"Individually, it's up to us to seek money from the FFA because we signed contracts with them," Bunce said. "It could be a long legal battle but there's a big difference between getting nine weeks pay and 17 months. I just want what's owed to me and my contract honoured."
Bunce cited the FFA's handling of Perth Glory, when they assumed the licence at the end of last season and also took on the existing player contracts. Every A-League player signs not only with a club but also the FFA and there is a provision that the FFA "may" pick up their contracts if a club's licence is revoked.
"If they did it for Perth, why can't they do it for us?"
The five contracted for next season undoubtedly have the most to lose because it's questionable how many would be wanted if the club survives. Salley has been a standout, while Bunce would boost the Kiwi quota.
Off contract All Whites Noah Hickey and Mark Paston would be high on the list of players retained, as could Chinese international Leilei Gao, but the future could be bleak for the rest.
Herbert has said he would be confident of attracting second-tier All Whites such as David Mulligan, Tony Lochhead and Shane Smeltz, as well as Kiwis playing in the A-League.
Leo Bertos, Jeremy Christie and Jeremy Brockie still have another year left, but Adrian Webster, Steven Old, Tim Brown and Vaughan Coveny could be on Herbert's radar.
Simon Elliott could miss the rest of the Premiership season after another injury setback. The All Whites midfielder hasn't played this season because of a calf strain and recently picked up an Achilles problem.
"Simon has had a setback in his recovery and will be out for three or four months," Fulham boss Chris Coleman said.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
