By Terry Maddaford
Kevin Fallon the coach, Wynton Rufer returning to play and assist with the coaching and Shane Rufer the assistant coach - that's what the smart money was saying yesterday as the Football Kings prepare for soccer's centre stage.
Many names have been touted as coach for the Kings when
they join the Australian national league, including former New Zealand captain Alan Vest, new national woman's coach Doug Moore and Shane Rufer.
Kings spokesman Chris Turner would not be drawn on the issue yesterday, saying only: "The coach has not been picked. We have a shortlist of two and a preferred option. Nothing more."
He would not say who would bankroll the Kings' entry into the Ericsson Cup, but dismissed suggestions that Vodafone was a likely backer. However, Turner confirmed that Tanui were among the groups who had spoken to the Kings.
"Two organisations have approached us, just as five or six individuals have shown interest."
Plans to launch the Kings, their headquarters and match venue, and the announcement of their backers have been delayed. Turner is confident they will be made next week.
"The Australians, including Soccer Australia chief David Woolley, were supposed to come over last week, but that has been put back and they will be here on Friday and Saturday to tidy up operational matters."
But as the Kings get closer to playing, opposition to their plans also gathers.
In a letter to New Zealand Soccer's new board, Central United chairman Ivan Vuksich expressed his concerns at the direction of the game in New Zealand.
He pitched for a 10-club winter national league; encouraging and organising 10 to 20 top players to play overseas; retaining the Chatham Cup in winter; and establishing a Super 12/carnival-type summer competition for elite players involving four or five New Zealand-based teams and two or three from the Pacific region.
"I think the Kings [like the Warriors] could have a detrimental effect on local football," Vuksich said. "We should be looking at the rugby model not the rugby league one."
Vuksich also polled most clubs in the new North Island League and said he found almost total opposition to the Kings.
