Soccer: Kingz boss fires both barrels at media 'mischief-makers'

Football Kingz general manager Chris Turner has condemned what he terms "mischievous" reporting of disharmony at the Auckland-based National Soccer League side.

Turner dismissed suggestions of a player revolt against coach Kevin Fallon's training methods and of the disintegration of the relationship between Fallon and his assistant, Shane Rufer.

"We've got no time for that at all," he said. "If people want to criticise and offer opinion, that's fine, but to quote inside sources and not put a name to it is just not on.

"In fact, it's been pretty unsettling for the team, quoting revolts and all that sort of thing. If they put a name to it, even if we disagree, that's no problem at all."

Reports of disharmony and a falling out between Fallon and Rufer have featured in the last two editions of the Sunday Star-Times newspaper.

Turner said a meeting he held with the team last week was not unusual. He met the team from time to time, although it was spelled out to the players last week that the 3-0 loss to Adelaide on December 22 was "unacceptable."

Turner also said reports of a meeting to be held between Fallon and Rufer over Rufer's position were incorrect.

Rufer said yesterday that he was still the assistant coach, but any other questions had to be directed to Turner.

"We've been told not to speak to anybody."

The Kingz' first match of the year is at home on Friday night against Sydney side Olympic Sharks.

Olympic last week broke the unbeaten run of Perth Glory, the NSL leaders who dealt the Kingz a record 7-2 defeat this season.

The Kingz face them after a loss to Adelaide that Turner then described as the side's "worst of the season by some distance."

He repeated that comment yesterday, and said the biggest concern of the bottom-of-the-table Kingz was to start winning games.

"When you're down the bottom of the table we deserve criticism, constructive criticism," Turner said.

"Of course there's a lot of unhappiness. We're not happy with where we are and I know we all believe we are a better team than that."

Former Kingz winger Jeff Campbell has re-signed for the club from Adelaide and will be eligible for Friday's clash.

Turner also confirmed that striker Campbell Banks had agreed personal terms with the club. However, the search for a new defender went on.

"We've chased really hard for three weeks and we actually had somebody, but his contract runs out at the end of the season and his club wants to keep him there and watch him to decide whether they will offer him another contract."

- NZPA