Soccer: Campaign to keep Kingz draws flak

By JASON COLLIE

North Shore Mayor George Wood is waging a ratepayer-funded radio campaign to keep the Soccer Kingz at council-owned North Harbour Stadium.

The advertisement on Newstalk ZB begs Aucklanders to attend the Kingz' final three home games or risk losing them to Wellington.

But the claim was labelled mischievous by Phil Warren, head of the Auckland Regional Council, whose Ericsson Stadium is the main competitor to North Harbour for the Kingz.

The team, who played one game at Ericsson last month as a trial, are considering moving from the Albany stadium because they are disappointed with the average crowd of about 3500.

Chairman Chris Turner said yesterday that a move to the capital for the Australian National Soccer League club was a long shot.

Mr Wood's 30-second advert ran between Thursday last week and last night on Murray Deaker's night-time sports show. It cost $2390 and was paid for out of the mayor's discretionary fund and a city promotion budget.

In the advert Mr Wood says: "North Harbour Stadium is a venue fit for the Kingz. Come on Auckland, let's not lose them to Wellington."

Mr Wood said yesterday that he would fight to keep the club at North Harbour.

His council would put about $900,000 into the stadium in the next financial year in grants and loan interest repayments.

"Ericsson is a competitor to our stadium and it is sad we are in this situation, but I have inherited the problem and I am not going to see activities taken away from us if we can help it," Mr Wood said.

Stadium management have given 15,000 tickets to under-12s for tonight's game, hoping they will bring their parents.

Unfortunately, Mr Wood will not be able to join them because of a council meeting, but said some his family would attend.

The campaign has led Mr Warren to cry foul.

"George is being a little mischievous," he said over the Auckland versus Wellington claim.

Mr Turner said the final home for the Kingz would depend almost entirely on where the club could attract the biggest support.

"The campaign George Wood and North Harbour Stadium are running is absolutely correct," he said.

"If they want the Kingz at North Harbour they have got three games to demonstrate that."