‘Never again’ — soccer coach

Press, 9 June 1978, Page 4

‘Never again’ — soccer coach

PA Wellington The New Zealand soccer coach, Mr Wally Hughes, will never again take the national side under the terms he has had forced on him for the three-test series against England B. "There's no way I'U even contemplate doing this again. It’s just not on,” Mr Hughes said in Wellington last night, one day after his side lost the first match, 4-0, m Christchurch. “I’ve learned from this — I hope those in authority have too. Everything has been crammed together, we’ve had absolutely no preparation, and we played far below ourselves,” he said. “A couple of weeks ago I nearly threw the whole thing away and said 1 wouldn’t take the team, but for their sake, for soccer’s sake and for mine I changed my mind. I won’t again.” Mr Hughes, one of New Zealand’s stormiest soccer figures, has . criticised, the tour arrangements since they were announced. ' -. He was angry that the New Zealand side assembled only the day before the first match, and

even then had to be fitted far uniforms and the like Instead of training, and angry that Monday’s Rothmans League matches were not postponed.

Mr Hughes was also angered by the reception New Zealand got from the crowd of 7000 at English Park on Wednesday nlgnt, though he thinks the test In Wellington on Sunday will be much the same. ‘Tor us, playing in Christchurch was an away match. They were all shouting for England, or at least against us. I don't think I’m popular down there. “It’ll probably be the same here — we look forward to getting north,” he said. The New Zealand Football Association’s promotions director, Mr Graham Moore, on whoso head rests the financial success or failure of the $78,000 England visit, said last night that it was hoped to break even or possibly even show a small profit. “We’ve taken $26,000 from the three games so far, and we need another $14,000 from the two remaining games In Wellington and Auckland to break even — and im confident we’ll get it." he said.