United take up the tartan

Wairarapa United will have a strong Scottish influence when they contest the Central League in 2011.
Coach Phil Keinzley confirmed today that three Scots - a fullback, midfielder and striker - are due to arrive in Masterton in the next month and will be part of the Wairarapa United squad throughout this year's campaign. However, he was loathe to release names until their transfers were complete.
The players are joining the club on the recommendation of Kevin Murray, a star of the Wairarapa United premier side about a decade ago.
A prolific goal scorer with a high work ethic, Murray was seen by Keinzley as the ideal scout for the current line-up.
"He understands the level of football played here and the type of player who should not only make an impact on the field but who will enjoy the lifestyle as well," Keinzley said.
Once word got out in Scotland that Wairarapa United were interested in signing at least three players, several inquiries were received from prospective candidates, Keinzley said.
"All I had to do was tell Kevin what we wanted and he went from there."
Keinzley said acquiring the three Scots and exciting Japanese midfielder Takayuki Omi, currently playing for YoungHeart Manawatu in the national league, would counter the several losses Wairarapa United have suffered from the squad which finished a meritorious third in the Central League last season.
Among the players not returning are goalkeeper Richard Gillespie and midfielders Andrew Abba, George Barbarouses and Nick Roydhouse.
Of that quartet, Gillespie probably ranks as the biggest loss, as goalkeepers with his experience and skill are keenly sought and hard to find.
News that immigration hassles are behind them - at least for this year - mean Wairarapa United will again have the services of classy Vanuatu striker Seule Soroman and Fijians Pita Rabo, Waisake Sabatu and Sakeo Valevou. Also back again will be former All Whites striker Campbell Banks and other quality "imports" in Adam Cowan and Ian Sandbrook.
The number of locals in the Central League line-up should be of useful proportions, too. Regulars from recent seasons such as Carl Shailer, Miroslav Tvaroh and Aaron Spierling may be joined by Wairarapa senior rep cricketer Steve Coleman, and youngsters Ben Wilton and Ben Ravenwood, plus the Hemi brothers, Thomas and Mark.
Keinzley is confident Wairarapa United will have a side with the ability to make another bold showing in the Central League but agrees that without Abba, Barbarouses and Roydhouse, question marks exist over whether they will have the same attacking flair as last year.
"A lot depends on what the Scots boys offer. It's pretty much wait and see in that respect," he said.
Keinzley said it wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing, however, if his side's flair was blunted to a degree because there were times last season when it created a looseness in their play which cost them on the scoreboard.
"Maybe a bit more hard graft could bring better results. Time will tell there too."
Wairarapa United start this year's Central League campaign with a home game against Lower Hutt on April 3 with the match perhaps being played at the Queen Elizabeth Park oval after what Keinzley described as "very helpful" discussions with the Masterton District Council.
Their first serious hit-out will come this weekend when they play Wainuiomata at Petone in the first round of the Hilton Petone Cup pre-season competition.
Several of the Central League squad will not be available for that game but that doesn't concern Keinzley, who always intended to use this competition to trial fringe players and experiment with combinations.