By TERRY MADDAFORD
Jason Batty has packed his goalkeeping gloves and winter woollies and leaves today for English first division soccer club Grimsby Town.
Under a deal arranged with the north-eastern club - largely through the efforts of Auckland-based minor shareholder Peter Lillyman - Batty will be on an initial three-month trial, but hopes to be playing at least reserve team football within a couple of weeks.
"I'll start training on Monday and hope it won't be too long before I get a game," said 29-year-old Batty, who was released under controversial circumstances by the Football Kingz during the NSL off-season.
"I'm excited to have the chance and it is nice to feel wanted. Even if things don't work out with Grimsby, I'll have the chance to talk to some agents and see what I can find."
Batty may find himself challenging for a place in the first team given their start to the season, which has them near the foot of the table.
Batty has spoken to All Whites coach Ken Dugdale and has an assurance that he remains in the national team picture. "Ken's only concern was that I wasn't playing football and might not have been given the situation with the Kingz," Batty said. "But now this is going ahead, he's happy."
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