Soccer: Charlie Dempsey says it's time to get out

By TERRY MADDAFORD

The 40-year Dempsey dynasty in Oceania football is over and patriarch Charlie Dempsey is worried about the confederation's future.

The long link between the Dempsey family and the youngest of Fifa's six confederations has ended with the resignation of Dempsey's daughter, Josephine King, as Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) general secretary.

In stepping aside from the role she has held since 1987, King has followed her father in cutting her ties with the confederation.

Dempsey resigned as OFC president in 2000 following the furore that followed his decision to abstain from a crucial World Cup 2006 vote.

But he continued to work out of the confederation's Penrose offices in his role as OFC honorary president.

He went out on a limb in abstaining from the vote, which could have handed the right to host the 2006 World Cup to South Africa.

Instead, in a 12-11 decision, Germany won the right to host the tournament.

"I no longer use my office at OFC," Dempsey said yesterday.

"I stepped back at the beginning of the year.

"Forty years is a long time to be with any organisation."

The 82-year-old, who was instrumental in the formation of the OFC in 1966 after a couple of years' planning, said he did not know where the confederation was headed.

"There are too many factions," said Dempsey. "There are two groups: one involving Australia, New Zealand and Tahiti, and the other involving a few of the island countries.

"It is time for me to stand back. I have had a long time with Oceania. I don't think it should concern me any more.

"Josephine was caught between the two groups.

"I wanted her to leave last year. There is a hell of a lot of politics now. I want out of it. I want to get out, smell the flowers and enjoy my golf.

Looking back, Dempsey, who has been married to wife Annie for 62 years, said: "I've had a lifetime in football. I'm still Oceania's honorary president and a life member.

"I'm also an honorary Fifa member and go to all their important games."

Not surprisingly, Dempsey still looks back on New Zealand's 1982 World Cup campaign as the highlight.

"If I was ever going to have a heart attack it would have been that night in Singapore when we beat China to qualify for Spain.

"I couldn't talk for hours after that."

King will stay on at OFC headquarters "to help out" for the next two or three weeks. Confederation development officer Tai Nicholas will assume the secretarial role until a replacement is found.

"After 17 years in the job, it was time for a change both personally and for the organisation," said King. "It has been a wonderful and unique experience for me."

OFC members will meet in Auckland on March 20 to elect a new president and Fifa vice-president.

The acting president, Tautulu Roebeck of Samoa, and Reynald Temarii of Tahiti will stand for the Oceania presidency.

Roebeck assumed the role following Australian Basil Scarsella's departure last year.

Incumbent Fifa vice-president Ahongalu Fusimalohi will be opposed by Australian Ron Harvey, Dr Sahu Khan (Fiji) and Vanuatu's Johnny Tinsley Lulu for that role.

The meeting will also pass the confederation's latest accounts.

Asked about these moves within the confederation - which has had its share of dirty linen aired in recent times - New Zealand Soccer chief executive Bill MacGowan said he had no comment.

Charlie Dempsey

Born: Calton, Glasgow, Scotland.

Date of birth: March 4, 1921.

Arrived NZ: September 1952.

1964: Began early work which led to formation of the Oceania Football Confederation.

1966: OFC formed with Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and PNG as members.

1970: Became OFC secretary.

1982: Elected OFC president.

1983: Made a CBE.

1987: Daughter Josephine King elected OFC general secretary.

1988: Made life member and elected president NZ Football Association.

1996: Elected to Fifa executive.

2000: Abstained from vote on 2006 World Cup host.

2000: Resigned as OFC president, elected honorary president.

2003: Spoke out when Fifa backed down on promise to give OFC direct World Cup entry.

2004: Josephine King resigns as OFC general secretary.