Soccer: Kingz tickets on sale

By Terry Maddaford

The Kingz marketing machine is hitting gear with tickets for their first match in the Australian soccer league on sale from Monday.

Replying to criticism about the lack of information and ticket details, Kingz chairman Chris Turner admitted they had been tardy telling the public what was going on at the newest Ericsson Cup club.

"We have taken time to get things right," said Turner yesterday. "But we are up and running now. We have an office at North Harbour Stadium and have Response International as our ticketing agents."

The response for season tickets had been good and a sellout was expected for the first game against Carlton on October 1.

The Kingz will play most home games on Friday nights with their second such game against defending champions South Melbourne on October 15.

Plans to play a couple of warm-up games in Australia have been canned but Turner is confident the team will be ready for the season's kick-off.

"We have signed 14 players as professionals and after having a further look at a couple of Chileans who are trialing with us, we will sit down and talk to them."

Meanwhile, All White Paul Urlovic, who had been linked to the Kingz, has signed with the Melbourne Knights. He will join his new club once Central United's fate in the Oceania club championship is known.