Naming of soccer sponsor imminent

Press, 15 October 1986, Page 76

Naming of soccer sponsor imminent

By

DAVID LEGGAT

The long-awaited announcement on which company is to take over sponsorship of the national soccer league in 1987 is expected to be made early next week. The spokesman for the New Zealand Football Association’s marketing arm, Harvard Sports Marketing, Mr Lindsay Singleton, said yesterday that the intention had been to make the announcement just before the deadline for entries into the expanded 14-team league. That deadline is tomorrow, but Mr Singleton said that the timing of the announcement was in the hands of the new sponsor. However, the 12 clubs which competed in the league this year met in Auckland last week-end, and have

been briefed on the proposed sponsorship details for 1987. Mr Singleton confirmed that after initial discussions with “a number of companies” final details were now being tidied up with one sponsor. It is widely understood that the national league clubs next year will receive considerable assistance with travelling expenses — the perennial problem area for clubs — with very little accent on prize money for the top teams. “The clubs are aware of the likely financial benefits,” said Mr Singleton. “I believe what we have come up with is quite a tidy package.” , All 12 clubs are believed to be applying for places. The Christchurch United chairman, Mr Alex Fox, con-

firmed that United’s application was being sent north today. However, he disagreed that the club’s entry meant the proposal of forming a broaderbased Canterbury team to take over from United was being discarded. “We always said we were going on with arrangements regardless. That was never more than a proposal from the regional league committee and it is still up for discussion,” said Mr Fox. Mr Fox attended the clubs’ meeting in Auckland. “A number of questions were put concerning the operation of the proposed sponsorship, and the clubs expect the answers,at a further meeting on November 15.” , , The New Zealand Football Association’s secretary, Mr Gwyn Evans, would not confirm how many clubs —

or amalgamations >of clubs — had applied for places in next year’s league. However, it is almost certain that at least 18 applications will be considered by the N.Z.F.A. at its meeting in Auckland on October 25-26, after which the final 14 will be announced. - In addition to the 12 existing national league clubs,’ applications are certain from the champion northern and central region clubs, Mount Maunganui and Napier City Rovers,, the west Auckland amalgamation of clubs including Blockhouse Bay, Kelston and Gratia from the northern league first division, the Hamilton club amalgamation and the combined Stop Out-Petone-Lower Hutt entry from Wellington.