Soccer: Knights will need night vision in new league

The Knights will dip their toes into midweek waters during the debut Australian league campaign this year.

The draw for the Hyundai-sponsored A-League has the Knights playing 10 of their 21 games at North Harbour Stadium.

Three are on Friday and Saturday nights, two on Thursday nights and two early on Sunday evenings.

"We were quite keen to trial midweek football," Knights chief executive Guy Hedderwick said yesterday.

The league bosses suggested Thursday to the Knights - other teams are hosting games on Monday nights - and the club agreed.

Hedderwick said during his time in South African soccer, the midweek idea was mooted.

"I was very against it, and it was an absolute success. We've got a new product and we've got to find a niche market. I think it's a very positive step."

The Knights start with an away game against the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium on August 28 before hosting Sydney FC on Friday, September 2.

Their final game is away to Melbourne Victory on February 4.

The league's grand final is on March 4. There will be a three-week break from December 4 to December 28 to allow for the Fifa world club championship.

Coach John Adshead yesterday confirmed two new signings. Useful defender John Tambouras, who played for the Football Kingz in the last season of the old Australian league in 2003-2004, returns, and experienced Dutchman Frank van Eijs has joined.

Van Eijs' CV has a United Nations look about it: he has done stints in Belgium, Germany, Scotland, with premier league Dundee, China, the Netherlands and, most recently, LG Hanoi in Vietnam.

"He's played against quality players and, just as importantly, in hostile environments," Adshead said.

The pair bring Adshead's signings to six - joining internationals Danny Hay and Noah Hickey, goalkeeper Danny Milosevic from Perth and former Walsall professional Darren Bazeley.

In another development, former chief executive of New Zealand Soccer, Bill MacGowan, has joined the Knights as a consultant.

He will sit in on management and board meetings and offers an experienced voice on the workings of the Australasian game. "I have a passion for the game and am pleased that I can have continued input into the Knights," MacGowan said.