Public opposition mounts in football dispute

Castlecliff Football Club president James Ross has added his voice to the anger of Whanganui football representatives who say they cannot get a straight answer from governing body Central Football on where their fees are spent.

Wanganui Marist president Russell Eades again raised the long-standing issues in detail last week, stating local footballers have been told if they play in a proposed independent men's social league, they cannot belong to a club with juniors or travelling senior teams, as they would be excluded from CF competitions.

CF football chief executive John McGifford responded that local clubs had been told that any questions about their fees can be asked through Whanganui Football Incorporated.

"WF Inc looked at it, deemed they were satisfied with all CF has done and said they wouldn't be pursuing it."

However, Ross disputes that claim.

"As a member of Whanganui Football Incorporated [Football Hub] at no stage have we discussed the issue of where does our money go/pay for, and we have not at all deemed CF's response to the questions as satisfied.

"As a member I am still unclear where my money goes and what it pays for."

Ross said his biggest issue is the "threats against the juniors".

"Children from our club, whose parents are happy to pay the cost so that they can receive CF resources, as stated by John McGrifford, are being told they cannot play because adult members of our club want accountability, and to know where all the money goes."

Ross said representatives from 90 per cent of the Whanganui clubs attended a meeting at the Station Clubrooms on February 6, where they all agreed they would welcome the option of a locally run men's social competition.

"But the only thing stoping them from entering were the threatened sanctions on either juniors or travelling teams, as was confirmed by John McGifford's email sent out on the 09/02/2018, telling clubs/schools that if their players enter this competition, the rest of their players will not be able to enter CF-run competitions."

Ross claimed that the Hub's situation as an independent group is not helped because among its members are a current CF board member and a CF employee, as well as a former CF board member.

"Members of the Hub are still unclear why $10,000 of seed money from NZ Football, to help with implementing agreed items for Wanganui Football by the Hub, was paid by CF to a member of the Hub – who helped implement the Hub and chair the meetings for the first 12 months – without the Hub's knowledge."

McGrifford said last week the idea of using "kids as pawns, that's not true".

"Players of all ages have a free choice to play for whoever they want to.

"If they play for teams not in the Central Federation, they can't expect to have the use of CF resources - access to development officers, coaching facilities, referees, NZ Football resources etc.

"If they want to play their part in the growth and success of the game they won't achieve that playing in non-affiliated leagues."