Soccer: Kingz undecided about New Plymouth game

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Football Kingz chief executive Chris Turner is weighing a number of options before making any decision on whether the Kingz will play their second "away home game" in New Plymouth.

"There have been all sorts of rumours," Turner said yesterday. "But we have not made a decision.

"We are committed to 10 games at Ericsson Stadium. Originally we were to have had 15 home games of which three would be played away from Auckland. When the season was cut back to two rounds with an extended play-off, we cut the number of games out of Auckland to two.

"We have already played in Hamilton. Now we are looking at Wellington and Christchurch as well as New Plymouth for the January 24 game with Adelaide City."

Turner said a number of factors were being considered including financial arrangements, likely crowd numbers and facilities.

"As the only NSL side in New Zealand it is important to let others see the team play," said Turner.

"It is a balancing act but we have no hard and fast policy."

Turner said no matter where the game was played, it would be up to Adelaide to make their way there.

Of concerns over dwindling crowd support, Turner said the club had not met their budget figure.

He said that despite rumours that they needed to average 6000 at each game, that figure had not been mentioned.

Crowds have struggled to reach 3000.

"The budget is tight but we are okay," said Turner. "We hope our gates will improve but if they don't we will continue to look to other sources including sponsorship."

The Kingz play their next game in Brisbane on Saturday night.