http://www.soccernet.com/global/news/2002/0909/20020909kingzgascoigne.html Says Gazza to regain match fitness with Australian team in order to move to D.C. United.
It's actually with the Auckland-based Football Kingz-- a Kiwi team in the Australian National Soccer league-- but that's just mindless nitpicking. The NSL has been known as something of a "retirement league", with the likes of Peter Beardsley and Ian Rush (among others) having had a go in the league before hanging up the boots, but Gascoigne's proposed move would be the first of this type of move that would serve a defined purpose. FWIW, the Kingz played a very entertaining attacking style last season despite finishing bottom of the 13-team NSL. Cheers, William
Actually New Zealand... however the Auckland Kingz play in the Australian league. Gazza heading Down Under
First time I've heard of a contract with MLS being described as "lucrative." Perhaps by Aussie standards?
That's a very good way to put it, actually. Not sure what a lot of NSL teams' overall player salaries are-- but to say that some would be on a par with the per-team caps of MLS teams would be highly complimentary. In fact, the two Melbourne-based sides-- South Melbourne and the Melbourne Knights-- were said to be going to semi-professional status, such is the state of their budgets, and other NSL clubs may have to do the same. Mind you, that was the talk at the end of last season, and I haven't seen evidence of that actually happening. Also FWIW, the NSL season starts in a little over a fortnight's time. Cheers, William
According to Ray Hudson (he spoke to a group of United fans last Thursday, Sept 5) Gazza is not being pursued by United, it's a dead deal. K
I would say that he has to be looking towards that transfer window that opens up in January but the article says he is only going to play two or three games which really makes no sense. MLS is over soon and 2 or 3 matches wont get him in shape for January.
I'll ring the Kingz today from over here, and see if the rumour has any legs. Personally, I'd doubt it... but we'll see about it. Cheers, William
On the other hand, the beer in Australia is one heck of a lot better than that stuff in England, so Gazza may really want to go down under.
His agent had confirmed the move but now the club director says they haven't and do not plan to sign him. Check out the thread in the Oceania forum.
Same here... no Gazza for the Kingz-- and I have this on first-hand information. I just spoke to Kingz g.m. Chris Turner on the phone, and he said that although discussions "with a third party" had taken place "to bring an international-calibre star" to his club, Gascoigne will not be playing for them. Turner (who was not only nice enough to return my call, but was forthright and didn't try and sugarcoat anything) said that negotiations had progressed to a certain point and had broken down before anything serious could be considered. Cheers, William
http://football.guardian.co.uk/News_Story/0,1563,789623,00.html Anyone have an opening on their pub team or sunday-league old-boys side?
Interesting stuff from tribalfootball.com, Brian. But I'm not sure if there's anything in it, really. The impression I got from the Kingz' Chris Turner yesterday is that the club was flat-out not interested, which would run contrary to what Ian Elliott is quoted as saying, but a lot can change in 24 hours. The link to the Brisbane Strikers is a new one, that's for sure. Gazza would definitely love the Gold Coast... Looks like I'll be busy this afternoon. I'll look into this. Thanks for the heads-up, Brian. Cheers, William
No problem, thanks for the research. Just realized your day is just beginning over there. For as long as I've used it, Tribal Football is a reliable source but I haven't seen this report anywhere else yet either. So it's nice having a detective down under.
It's only lunchtime, really, and this gives me something to do while I'm scarfing down my leftover lasagna from last night. To provide an update... Just been told by a high-up source at the Brisbane Strikers that Gascoigne has not been approached. That would be pie-in-the-sky stuff, honestly, as coach John Kosmina's rubber-stamp approval would be required, and the Strikers are loaded with creative midfielders, including the influential Fernando Rech. No deinitive word yet from the Kingz once again-- but I'm expecting a callback from Chris Turner again. He's at the NSL g.m.'s meeting in Sydney, and he should give me a ring on my mobile as soon as he's free. I'll update ASAP... Cheers, William