No league guarantee for top soccer sides

Press, 7 August 1985, Page 64

No league guarantee for top soccer sides

The top four Christchurch clubs in the Hertz Soccer League’s northern zone next year will not necessarily be competing in the fully regional league, to start in 1987, according to the southern region council chairman, Mr Bryan Cunningham. At its meeting in Dunedin at the week-end, the southern region council agreed to return to a fully regional league, after having a split competition since 1980. Outlining proposals for the new league, Mr Cunningham said clubs interested in taking part will have to meet certain criteria. Access to a charge ground, with adequate facilities for players and

referees, will be paramount, and not all the clubs in the top half of the northern zone this season can meet those requirements. Clubs are under no obligation to enter the full regional competition, but Mr Cunningham emphasised that he hoped those clubs would not try to influence others with greater ambitions to stay in the zonal league. There will be no pro-motion-relegation from the full league in the first year, and from then the bottom team will play off with the two winners of the qualifying competitions to hold its place. South Canterbury, North Otago and Southland will all be represented in the first

two seasons of the full league, regardless of their zonal league standings next winter. Two Christchurch clubs strongly opposed to a return to full regional soccer are Nomads United and New Brighton. “Our policy has always been to fight the object of a fully regional league,” said the Nomads president, Mr Murray Seaward. “It is doubtful if a full regional league is going to improve the standard in the South Island. All it will do is reduce the chances for younger buys to break into top soccer.” Mr Seaward admitted that the club was “uptight” about the decision, but added that it had a re-

sponsibility to its players to play at the highest possible level. The New Brighton president, Mr Neil Mclntosh, said the decision was made “against the current.” He admitted having “very strong views” on the decision. A return to a full league could, he predicted, set the game in the south back several years. Prize money of $6OOO for first place and $2OOO for second is envisaged for the full league, with the qualifying zone winners each receiving $5OO, in the initial season. Clubs will be asked to provide a $3OO entry fee. A referees’ panel of eight is expected to be formed to control the matches.