Soccer: Five likely to vie for NZFC spot

As many as five regions will put forward submissions of interest to join the NZFC after Manawatu failed to have its licence renewed beyond the 2006-07 season.

Manawatu have indicated they will reapply and are likely to be joined by North Shore, East Auckland, Gisborne and the Porirua-based Ole Madrids.

Manawatu will line up in the eight-team competition, which kicks off next month, but were denied a three-year extension by New Zealand Soccer because of ongoing concerns over their off-field management and financial viability.

They have vowed to sort out their problems and remain the frontrunners to be awarded the final spot ahead of North Shore.

New Zealand Soccer chief executive Graham Seatter said the geographical spread of the eight franchises was critical.

But a formal bid from North Shore would be welcomed, even though Waitakere United already represents the country's northern-most federation.

North Shore were one of the mainstays of the old National League and were earmarked as a side likely to make up the inaugural NZFC which started in 2004-05 but they failed to submit an application.

North Shore stalwart Alan Richards said they would be submitting an expression of interest this week but the biggest challenge would be finding the money to compete.

East Auckland spokesman Chris Ruffell said they had already indicated their interest and he would be meeting representatives from other clubs in the area tomorrow to gauge the level of commitment to playing in the NZFC.

East Auckland, originally made up of Eastern Suburbs, Fencibles, University-Mt Wellington and Ellerslie, were one of three unsuccessful bidders in 2004. Ole Madrids and Tauranga were the others.

Expressions of interest must be lodged by Friday, with formal submissions to be received by the end of next month. A decision is likely to be made in early November.