Soccer: Goalkeeper's career goes on the line

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Michael Utting's footballing career in New Zealand will be on the line tonight.

Utting, at his own expense, will fly to Auckland to meet Football Kingz bosses in the hope of securing a contract for the NSL season.

Kingz chief executive Chris Turner, who will be joined at the meeting by coach Ken Dugdale and assistant Stu Jacobs, said there were a number of factors that would be considered before any decision on Utting's future was made.

Utting, 32, played 14 games for the Kingz in their inaugural season and has been in Wellington since being sent home by All Whites coach Mick Waitt following alcohol-related incidents before the Oceania Nations Cup.

"I'm being very cautious," Turner said yesterday.

"The door is not shut, but there are some issues, including some behavioural concerns, on which we must be satisfied before even thinking about offering Michael a contract.

"If we are going to sign him it is something that needs to be done right away. There would be no point in waiting. We need to be assured there will be sufficient support structures around him while he is in Auckland to satisfy us.

"There are a lot of questions still to be answered."

Since being sent from the All Whites camp, Utting has been attending up to three Alcoholics Anonymous meetings a week.

He has been working with a personal trainer as well as playing for Miramar's third team.

"We need to be absolutely convinced that Michael is right for us before we do anything," Turner said.

He said there were two overseas goalkeeping options open to the club.

He had also been contacted by Argentine Julio Cuello, who shared the goalkeeping duties in the 2000-2001 season.

Ben Sigmund has joined the Kingz on a one-year contract, but he is not expected in Auckland until today.

The Kingz, who beat Waitakere City 2-0 in a friendly this week, are expected to sign another three players before the end of the week.