Australian clubs! ‘plundering’ N.Z. soccer

Press, 20 January 1981, Page 3

Australian clubs! ‘plundering’ N.Z. soccer

FA Auckland Australian clubs are plundering the top talent .in New Zealam soccer at an alarming rate, according to New Zealand’s World Cup team manager. Mr John Adshead, who will have to flv home 25 per cent of his squad for the first training camp of the year later this week. Mr Adshead warned 18 months ago that this would happen. Now he can see the problem increasing to the stage where as many as 90 per cent of New Zealand team men will play their football across the Tasman. “We are losing out because we are not professional enough at chib level.” Mr Adshead said vesterdav. ‘•We have to pull finger and organise our game so that we can reward players financially. “If we don’t, the steady trickle of talent crossing the; Tasman will become a flood.” j The New Zealand team; captain. Steve Sumner, is; the latest loss to Australia,! and he might be joined soon: by Brian Turner. For the national team! training camp, which will' start tomorrow, Mr Adshead!

Lhas to fly home Duncan: 'Cole, from Canberra City.; -i Clive Campbell, from Woi-I .’Jongong, Glen Dods, from; City, Sumner, from! •'Newcastle, and Richard Wil--rson. from Canberra City. ; •' The poaching crunch will! •come when New Zealand: ? plays Australia twice in| eWorld Cup qualifying rounds, 1 ,'in April and May. ■ “People such as Rick Her-: , bert and Glen Adam will be prime targets,” Mr Adshead; j'said. “If they play well, the I offers will come rolling in.” Mr Adshead does not see players’ going to top Austra- . lian football as a bad thing: ..from the national team point ’ of view. The national league ’ in Australia is highly profes-; ijsional and the playing stan-> .dard high. However, the' lidrain on New Zealand clubsl will be crippling unless! . players are signed on water--tight contracts so that, if -the Australians want them. ■ thev go f or sensible transfer, fees. ! ; “In this way. clubs here! swill become more financial! jand be able to offer players! good money,” said Mr Ads-j [head. “And this is the only ' thing which will keep play-! lers at home.”