Soccer: English-based shareholder gets the ball rolling at new-look Kingz

By TERRY MADDAFORD

A revamped Football Kingz, with heavyweight backing by New Zealand Soccer, will be ready to take their place in the planned new-look Australian league following the departure of their most visible figure, Chris Turner.

Under dramatic restructuring announced yesterday, Kingz shareholder/director Turner will step down as chairman of the club's board.



English-based businessman and now minority shareholder Brian Katzen will lead the shake-up. He has already identified prospective players and coaches for the new-look entity.

The Kingz, represented by Turner and general manager Peter Cox, met the NZS board in an attempt to win support as they prepared their bid for a place in the restructured Australian Soccer League, which is tipped to start late next year.

A statement from NZS yesterday would have been music to the club's ears.

In part, it said: "After a thorough briefing from all parties, New Zealand Soccer has decided to endorse and facilitate a bid by a restructured Football Kingz for a place in the new league.

"The decision was only taken after the NZS board received guarantees from the Football Kingz that there will be a 'significant shareholder restructuring within the Football Kingz organisation'."







Although the bid for a place in the new league is paramount, Cox must also ensure the team finishes the present season.

"There are a number of priorities," Cox said. "We have to find someone to front the board and lead the charge. We also have to look for a chief executive officer."

Asked whether he would consider either role, Cox said: "I'm looking at things. I want to be involved with both [the present set-up and the new entity] but I will be happy if the new board goes out and sources the best chief executive they can find.

"My priority at present is the current team. I'll definitely get them over the line until the end of the season."







Turner would retain an operational role for the rest of this season, Cox said.

"He will step down as board chairman and be insignificant for the rest of the season. He could be on the new board, but in a very minority role, if any."

Cox welcomed the support the club received from New Zealand Soccer and businessmen Dave Wilson and Sam Malcolmson who attended Monday's meeting and expressed some interest in taking a stake/ownership in the restructured club.

Cox would not speculate on what their future contribution might be.



Turner said he was pleased with the outcome.

"I'm delighted that after a lot of hard work from everyone we are all committed to the Football Kingz participating in the restructured Australian league."

Katzen acknowledged the role played by NZS chief executive Bill MacGowan and his board in finding a solution to what could have been a disastrous situation.

"Getting that support was the key," Katzen said from London.

"The key step was showing some stability in the financial structure which in turn would lead to an improved playing performance on the field."

Katzen is not wasting time on that front.

He already has his eyes on a couple of players.

"I've also drawn up a short-list of prospective coaches. That, and having four or five good players on which to build on, is a priority," said Katzen, an astute businessman who has close links with Chelsea FC and Swansea City.

Asked whether he was in for the long haul, Katzen was adamant: "It is a long-term commitment. If we are in, we are there to see things through.

"We need to build on the brand and, most importantly, go from the bottom to the top in a realistic time frame."