Soccer: Coach sends seven packing as Kingz start waving contracts

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Ken Dugdale has wasted no time in swinging the big axe. Within hours of signing a new one-year contract to coach the Football Kingz, he sent more than half a dozen players packing.

Among those not offered a contract for the new NSL season are Chilean Patricio Almendra, long-serving Japanese defender Hiroshi Miyazawa, Con Anthopoulos and former All Whites James Bannatyne, Paul Urlovic, Mark Atkinson and Jonathan Perry.

Past Player of the Year Andy Vlahos remains in contention for a third season with the Auckland franchise, but that is on hold until after trials with a first-division club in Belgium. Chilean defender Mauro Donoso is also on hold as the Kingz decide on their allowed four imports.

"We will be talking with Donoso next week," said club chief executive Chris Turner yesterday.

"Ken Dugdale has made it clear our priority is in finding a central defender who he feels can do the organisational role at the back. He is also looking for one, preferably two goal-scoring strikers.

"That search has already gone to Norway and we have people in England looking out as well. Depending on our success in finding the players we need, we will keep Donoso in mind."

Michael Utting and Raf de Gregorio were offered contracts before leaving for the Confederations Cup. Talks are continuing with Chris Jackson, who is also in France.

Mark Burton, another with the All Whites, has a year to run on his three-year deal.

Others who will be offered contracts are Harry Ngata for a fifth season, Jeremy Christie, James Pritchett, Steven Turner, Darren Young, Jonathon Taylor, Mark Beldham, Jeff Campbell (another who played in the initial 1999-2000 season) and Jason Rowley.

"There is no question our budget will be reduced," said Turner, but player numbers should be stable.

"The players will attend a strategic meeting with Ken and myself on Tuesday. I expect negotiations to start after that."