Nine Set For Soccer League

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32050, 26 July 1969, Page 15

Nine Set For Soccer League

(Bp Our Soccer Reporter) If the statements made by New Zealand soccer clubs correctly indicate their intentions, there will be no lack of entries for the national league, to start in 1970 or 1971.

To date, nine North Island clubs have said they will make entries before the closing date I ' of September 30. The nine clubs-comprise five from the northern league —Mount Wellington, Eastern ’ Suburbs, North Shore, Cour-. ier Rangers and Hamilton—and four from the central league Weetert Suburbs, Stop Out, Miramar Rangers and Gisborne City. In the plan adopted by the New Zealand Football Association council earlier this month,; it was envisaged the league starting with three from each of the northern and central leagues and two from the southern league. Clubs must make their entries through their local associations and include a $5OO bond. Clybs would be judged on their positions in the regional ' leagues in 1970 if the national competition is to start in 1971. However, the N.Z.F.A. council has decided that -clubs should state their preferences for 1970 or 1971 when they make their entries, and there is a strong feeling among

those in the North Island who have indicated they will enter that they prefer 1970. The treasurer of the Stop Out (Wellington) club, Mr T. J. Killalea, said this week that his club has already lodged its application, and officials of the Miramar Rangers and Western Suburbs clubs stated .they would do so. Auckland clubs held a Meeting with their association officials this week to raise points to be discussed by the national league committee when it meets in Wellington on August 8 and 9. These include the system of promotion and relegation to be used, clarification on the intention of some clubs to enter one combined team, and the basis on which dubs will be accepted into the competition.