Manchester City may play match in Chch

Press, 9 April 1981, Page 34

Manchester City may play match in Chch

Manchester City, which is in the semi-finals of the F.A. Cup, may play in Christchurch this winter. Christchurch Mogal United is hoping to arrange a match against the prestigious English side in the city, possibly on June 14, the day after it will meet New Zealand in Auckland. United’s manager, Mr Terry Conley, believes it is an opportunity which must not be missed. He has discussed the likelihood of a game in Christchurch with the chairman of the New Zealand Football Association’s promotions committee, Mr Charlie Dempsey. “Charlie would like to have a game in Christchurch. but if we keep on

turning things down, people will stop asking,” said Mr Conley, The United board will meet today to discuss the matter and a final decision must be reached by tomorrow night. Mr Conley, who has coached United teams against Heart of Midlothian and England B in recent years, hopes to have the match at Queen Elizabeth II Park, and believes “it cannot miss” as a financial venture. If United does not think it can make the match a viable proposition then he believes businesses in Christchurch must be interested. “We believe the public of Christchurch deserve to sea a top calss team each year,”

he said. It has been three years since the last overseas team played in Christchurch. Then, United upset all predictions and held England B to a 2-2 draw. Four days later, England beat New Zealand, 4-0, also in Christchurch. “If we (United) felt it wasn’t on, we wouldn’t push it. But I can’t see how it won’t work,” said Mr Conley. The cost of the match is substantial, he added, but not insurmountable. Manchester City wanted a guarantee of three matches. Mr Dempsey has been exploring the possibility of playing two in Australia, along with the New Zealand match, but a game in Christchurch on a Sunday would be a big boost for the south.