Soccer coach keen to enter play-offs

Press, 28 August 1984, Page 44

Soccer coach keen to enter play-offs

The Hamilton soccer coach, Brian Coe, is keen for his northern regional league-winning team to enter the Rothmans League play-off series, but he is aware that a hefty sponsorship would be required to keep the club financial. Mr Coe said last night that the club’s top priority is to secure a significant sponsorship, if it is to realistically survive a year of national league soccer. He added that there is a solid core of the club’s supporters who do not want Hamilton to enter the play-off

series. “We do have a small sponsor, but we’re looking at $30,000, and we want someone who’ll pick up the tab,” he said. “There are a lot of people who do not want us to go in, but I don’t think we should refuse the opportunity. At the same time, we don’t want to get into debt again.” The Hamilton club bought its own ground last year and most of its funds are channelled to repaying its mortgage, according to Mr Coe. No firm decision has been made, but the club’s

committee is to meet tomorrow night, when its position might be resolved. Should Hamilton withdraw from the play-offs, the series would then be reduced to the bottom national league team, and the winners of the central and southern regions. Manawatu United and Stop Out are the contenders for the central title, and both are keen to return to the premier competition, while Rangers and Nomads United, the two Christchurch clubs, are battling for the southern place.