Soccer: Kingz should look closer to home in player search

By TERRY MADDAFORD

In taking young Miramar Rangers striker Geoff Brown on their three-match pre-season tour to Australia, the Football Kingz showed that the player search for their squad continues.

It was unfortunate then that coach Mike Petersen was not at North Harbour Stadium for last Saturday's Bluebird Chatham Cup final.

If the Kingz are to be seen as pursuing their policy of promoting New Zealand players, two or three in arguably the game of the domestic season could well have given Petersen and his assistant Shane Rufer something to ponder.

While few would suggest that Campbell Banks is there yet, there is no doubt he is worthy of at least a chance at a higher level.

In a strike force built around 38-year-old Wynton Rufer and including 25-year-old Andy Vlahos, 23-year-old Paul Urlovic and with 31-year-old John Markovski now in the frame, 20-year-old Banks might just provide the Kingz with some youthful exuberance.

An enigmatic player who has the ability to turn a game, Banks showed all those skills in the cup final.

He had a hand in all three Central goals - a deft back heel set up the first and he provided the clinical finish for the others.

He further made his mark with two super shots, the first drawing a reflex save from University Mt Wellington goalkeeper Simon Eaddy, who palmed the ball for a corner, the second smacking on to the post before being scrambled clear.

Because of the environment that fulltime football provides, there is every reason to believe that Banks would thrive.

He deserves that chance, as do a couple of others who showed their wares in the season finale.

Paul Bunbury does nothing flash, but is the workhorse in the heart of the University-Mt Wellington midfield.

Later judged man of the match - joining such names as Ivan Vicelich, Darren McLennan, Paul Halford, Michael McGarry and Duncan Cole as winners of the Jack Batty Trophy - Bunbury is worth a look.

Eaddy had a part-time role with the Kingz last season. He also deserves another chance.

New signing, 21-year-old Mike Theoklitos, might prove to be a more than worthwhile replacement for departed, but hardly lamented, Argentine Julio Cuello.

But Eaddy, who celebrated his 30th birthday two days before his cup final heroics, might be the experienced and steadying influence the goalkeeping role demands.

Kingz chief executive Chris Turner admits "the search goes on," but it must be close to decision time as the club draws up their final list of 18 or 19.

The disappointment in allowing Vas Kalogeracos to return to Melbourne and the continuing uncertainty over Con Boutsianis' future at the club means that the Kingz management should surely be looking closer to home.

The home-grown talent is there.

Much was made of the developmental role the Kingz club could provide.

In having a decent look at players such as Banks, Bunbury and Eaddy, the club could show that they are determined to pay more than lip service to the game here.