Southern's licence due for renewal

Chris Wright
Chris Wright
Southern United will be hoping it has the chance to build on this season's progress.

When the club was taken over by Football South two years ago, its national league men's and youth teams were given a two-year licence.

That is now due for renewal.

Football South CEO Chris Wright said the federation's board and members would evaluate how the past two years had gone.

From there it would make a decision on whether to apply for another licence, which had to be approved by Football New Zealand.

Wright said financial sustainability was the biggest thing to consider in that, but hoped to continue in the league.

''We would really like to, but we've obviously got to make sure we can support it financially and not only continue what we do, but take it up another step.

''We'd love to keep all the teams going, we'd love Paul [O'Reilly] to stay on and the other coaches in their coaching roles.

''We're going to try to confirm that over the next couple of months.''

Wright was thrilled with the progress the club has made across its teams and praised the players, coaching staff and medical team.

As far as its men's side went, he hoped it would be able to retain its players - both from within the region and those from outside it.

That included its Irish contingent, the majority of whom had now completed a second season with the club. Three of that group continued to work as football development officers.

Their level of qualification, alongside the fact the were ''doing a great job'' enabled them to be on longer-term visas, making them easier to retain.

Meanwhile, Kristian Gibson was expected to remain and play winter football, while Omar Guardiola was believed to be intending to return, although would first visit family in Colombia.

Meanwhile, a potential change for next season could mean fewer players of foreign nationalities eligible on game day.

The match day limit, which decreased from eight to seven non-citizens, plus an Oceania federation player, could fall again next season to six.

That was to fall more in line with the Oceania Champions League, which allowed three non-citizens, plus an Oceania-based player.

Wright said Football South supported giving more New Zealanders opportunities, provided there was a balance to create a high-quality league.

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