KEY POINTS:
New Zealand Soccer boss Graham Seatter is confident he has found the men who will ensure the rejuvenated New Zealand Knights can charge on.
"We are pretty positive we have come up with what the FFA want.
"I have told them [Football Federation Australia] we have one party definitely interested and that there are two more who are seriously interested," said Seatter.
"It is now up to these people to meet [Hyundai A-League/FFA operations manager] Matt Carroll and [FFA chief executive] Ben Buckley. It is out of my hands ... but given the FFA's desire for some NZ Soccer involvement, it is likely I will be at those meetings."
Seatter said he was confident the necessary $2 million initial commitment was there. While that is only part of the anticipated $5 million needed to ensure the off- and on-field success of the venture, he is just as confident the additional funding will be found.
"The group I have been talking to would be the sole investor," said Seatter.
"We are not talking the Melbourne Victory model where they have 50-60 smaller investors."
It is widely accepted that the FFA is keen to grant a three-year licence (the remainder of the initial five-year licence handed to the previous owners, which was recalled when they ran into financial difficulties last month).
"Given what has happened so far, I'm confident a provisional licence will be issued," said Seatter.
That will need to be done quickly - probably by the end of the month - to ensure the Knights are not left behind in the current recruiting drive.
All prospective investors have agreed All Whites coach Ricki Herbert should continue his involvement both in recruiting the 23 players and in on-going coaching.
"Recent results have obviously helped."
"They have given the people I have been talking to a real indication of the level of interest in the game here," said Seatter.
