The Knights will be able to replace nearly half of their squad next season without delving too deeply into the chequebook, with nine players on one-year deals.
Manager John Adshead has admitted mistakes were made in recruiting for the A-League's inaugural season, considering the Knights have won only one of
15 games, and has promised to rectify things for the 2006/07 season.
Those on one-year deals can be released at the end of the season if the club opts not to offer them a new deal. But if they decide to release any of the remainder of the squad on either two- or three-year deals, they would have to pay out on that contract unless some arrangement, like a transfer to another club, can be sorted out. It's believed players are on a base salary of about $40,000, with the top earners on about $100,000.
Rumours have linked striker Simon Yeo, who is on a three-year deal, with a return to the UK, and he might have already played his last game for the club.
Of those on one-year deals, Jeremy Brockie would still qualify for one of the three under-20 places in the 20-strong squad.
Ronnie Bull's two-year contract was terminated last month by mutual consent, with Jeremy Christie handed a full-time contract until the end of the present campaign, which ends on February 4.
It's likely skipper Danny Hay, who is on a three-year deal but last week questioned the direction of the club, will return to training when the squad gets back together again on December 12 ahead of their next match on December 30 against Sydney.
Adshead has promised to scour the NZFC and the world in search of players for next season and has also pointed to the club's relationship with Charlton as a possible source of talent.
"We know exactly what we need to do to put it right," he said. "This time next year you will see a far more competitive side, a side that deserves to be in this league."
* Three-year deals: Darren Bazeley, Danny Hay, Danny Milosevic, Simon Yeo.
* Two-year deals: Ronnie Bull (has left club), Sean Devine, Neil Emblen, Steve Fitzsimmons, Noah Hickey, Josh Rose, Frank van Eijs.
* One-year deals: Jeremy Brockie, Zenon Caravella, Ben Collett, Naoki Imaya, Josh Maguire, Glen Moss, John Tambouras, Cole Tinkler, Xiaobin Zhang.
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
