Players duck and dive in off-season moves

The five Waikato teams could have a very different look to them when the restructured Northern League soccer tournament starts up on March 20.

Defending champions Melville United look likely to be keeping the core of their side and attracting a couple more players, and it appears they've lost few players despite the added competition for places.

The Waikato Times understands they will have Waikato FC and Cambridge defender Jason Chewins, after the 39-year-old ex-professional was approached by Hamilton Wanderers and Ngaruawahia too.

Chewins, 39, has been one of Waikato's strongest performers and he yesterday confirmed he and Melville had come to a verbal agreement, but nothing has been signed.

Fellow NZFC defender Alex Barlow was believed to have been on Melville's shopping list too, but the left-footer is keen to stay at Ngaruawahia.

One of the most talked about players in the Northern League, when it comes to transfer speculation, is last year's Golden Boot winner Steven Holloway.

A falling out between Holloway and Waikato FC player-coach and Melville team-mate Che Bunce might have railroaded a return to Gower Park and Holloway has trained with the busy Tauranga City side.

But the latest word is Holloway has by-passed offers from Tauranga, the cashed-up Bay Olympic and a Wellington club and will be in Melville colours again.

Melville's star this year could be new Welsh signing Ceri James. The club are predicting big things from their new nuggety midfielder but their depth is likely to be tested at the start of the season with a large number of the team involved with the New Zealand Football Championship.

Paul Stewart had been talked about as a Gower Park escapee, but he yesterday confirmed he wished to stay at Melville.

Wanderers duo Stu Watene and Nathan Holten could have their third team in three years.

Watene has been spotted training with Matamata Swifts and is expected to sign with the promoted club while Holten is expected to be in Ngaruawahia green.

Other Hamilton-based players have trained with Matamata but it is unsure if they are moving east or just testing the waters.

New Waikato FC teenage signing Mark Jones has been snaffled by Mark Cossey at Hamilton Wanderers, but Ngarua-wahia were also interested.

Cossey has attracted a couple of other younger players, but may be without as much experience as in the past with Watene possibly gone and Michael Mayne linked with Bay Olympic.

Ngaruawahia are on the look-out for a couple of players to bolster their squad and are without a coach – last year's assistant and Waikato FC manager Troy Lochead has the reins for now, but seems reluctant and club legend Richard Harris could do the job.

They pick up Waikato FC and New Zealand u17 keeper Alex Carr and former Waikato, Ngaruawahia and Solomon Island international Stanley Waita may also return to Centennial Park.

- © Fairfax NZ News