Turner intent on getting ‘reward’

Press, 26 February 1983, Page 64

Turner intent on getting ‘reward’

By

ALISTAIR ARMSTRONG

Christchurch Mogal United’s new international soccer signing. Grant Turner, says he may take legal action against the club if problems connected with his playing contract are not resolved soon. Last evening, he reiterated his earlier assertion that he is prepared to spend the season on the sideline if his terms are not met. Speaking from Auckland, on the eve of the NewZealand team's departure to play Australia in Melbourne, Turner, aged 24, said his complaint centred on a material reward he had been promised by the club as part of his two-year agreement. He could not be more specific, as he did not want to disclose the terms of his contract. The “reward" had not been delivered, so Turner had refused to train with the club for the last couple of weeks. The “reward” had still not arrived, he said. - If it did not, “they could end up with a bit of a problem in the year to come,” he said. Turner said he was particularly annoyed by the lack of response his approaches had had from club officials. “I have been contacted by no-one. They have not even told me it was going to be resolved or what is going to happen,” he said. The former Gisborne City midfielder said if there had been no improvement by the time he returned to Christchurch on Tuesday, there was a possibility that he would seek legal advice. “I am not prepared to start a new contract with a

club if they are not willing to keep their promises about things they have said they will do,” he said. The club’s chairman, Mr David Cox, said if the player had any grievances he would speak to the coach, Terry Conley, in the first instance. “I am not aware of any player’s contract that is not being complied with. His (Turner’s) contract doesn't differ from any other,” he said. Mr Conley said last evening that he did not wish to comment on the matter until he had had the opportunity to see Turner again. He would be in Melbourne this week-end on business, and be said he would discuss the matter with Turner there. Meanwhile, a source within United confirmed yesterday that New Zealand’s goalkeeper at the World Cup finals in Spain last year, Frank Van Hattum, had signed with the club. Mr Conley believed that the former Manurewa keeper, aged 24, would commute from Auckland for United’s home games until a job had been found for him in Christchurch.