Soccer transfer rumours quashed

Press, 18 June 1976, Page 24

Soccer transfer rumours quashed

Bv

BARNEY ZWARTZ

Speculation that the Frans lours United soccer Roy Drinkwater and Mark McNaughton, arc about to sign for Technical was firmly demolished by I nited s manager. I tin Conley, last night.

He roundly condemned clubs that approach a player and not the player's club about a transfer as '‘underhand" and "very amateur.” Meanwhile, Tom Randles, the Technical playercoach, denied making any approach to Drinkwater, but admitted he would certainly be interested in McNaughton if he was available. Both players have spent most of this season on the substitute’s bench for United, and it is no secret that McNaughton, especially, has not been happy about it. “Drinkwater is on a two year contract ending in 1977 and there is no way I am going to let him go. A decision on McNaughton will be made after the Mount Wellington game on June 27, three days before the transfer deadline,” Conley said. Conley spoke 'o McNaughton on Monday, but no approach has .been received from Technical, at present well placed in the Broadlands Southern League first division title race which now guarantees promotion to the Rothmans League. “As far as United is concerned only an approach to me is official, not to anyone else. I am the one that decides on players, it is my' responsibility, and as far as I am concerned there has been absolutely no approach,” Conley said. “I would not consider letting either of them go without that.” He said there seemed to be some misapprehension among coaches that an approach to the players was official, but it certainly was not. “There is too much of this underhand business of going behind the club’s back to the players. It is a very amateur way of doing it and it creates ill feeling and bitterness," he said. Drinkwater could not be contacted last night, but McNaughton said he had received approaches from Technical and Shamrock. McNaughton, who joined United as a player in 1973,

has not played a full nat-i ional league game for the club this year to date. He was given his chance I to leave bv Conley at the beginning of the season, but |at that stage he thought he had a good chance of play-’ ing for United, and is con- 1 tracted until the end of the' season. His first priority is to: start enjoying playing again, i I but he would be happy to play for Technical and hopes United will let him go. Randles, who is a bit be-, wildered by the affair, said

jhe had not approached Mai ’McNaughton i “I have been talking to ’Mark for a couple of years • as a person, not a player 1 :’am interested that he im I proves himself as a playe: 'regardless of whom he plavs Ifor.” he said. ' If McNaughton is aval able. Technical would ’definitely be’interested hut I that was all. I “1 would be interested in 'any United player if he w I available, but 1 certain!' haven’t approached Drink ’water.” he said