15 August 2001
The Press
by Rod Dew
Former All Whites goalkeeper Alan Stroud has received his call-up for the Canterbury-based Federation Six team to take on the Football Kingz professionals.
The experienced and talented Rangers custodian is delighted.
"Excellent," said Stroud, 40, on learning of his selection last night. "I would love to play against the Kingz."
Young Christchurch City national league custodian Jordan Buchanan has also been named in goal, suggesting that both will get time on the field.
Buchanan, 19, who has made enormous progress in his first season of national league, has impressed Stroud.
"He is a young player full of promise.
"He will do well," Stroud predicted.
The popular former New Zealand representative showed he had retained his competitive edge when he played three games for Christchurch City in the national league.
"That was another buzz," he said of his unexpected appearance in the national league. "You wonder if you can cope when you do this, but I don't think I let too many in."
Selectors Ian Marshall and Keith Braithwaite yesterday named a team with an ideal blend of experience and youth for the August 26 match at Queen Elizabeth II Park No. 2 pitch.
"It is a young team but they are all talented players," said Marshall. "This is a huge challenge for them.
"The Kingz are the strongest they have ever been, and their new players will be trying to impress their coaches so they get a start."
The federation team will be coached by Johan Verweij (Chch United) and Kevin Mulgrew (Halswell).
Former All Whites from Christchurch City, Danny Halligan and Kelly McLoughlin, provide the experience in midfield and at the back.
Halligan is likely to be named captain if his hamstring injury heals in time.
Nine Christchurch City players have received the nod, which will please City player-coach Halligan in the run up to the team's Chatham Cup semi-final against University-Mount Wellington on September 1 or 2.
Both City strikers, under-23 All White Michael Sands and Ben Hughes are in, but can expect a strong challenge for a run-on place from Halswell United striker Keith Grosvenor.
Grosvenor has been outstanding in the federation league, easily winning the Golden Boot Award with 30 goals for the season.
Team: Alan Stroud (Rangers), Jordan Buchanan (Chch City), Paul Davies (Chch Utd), Ben Sigmund, Deane Hutchinson, Kelly McLoughlin, Ben Hall (all Chch City), Keith Purcell (Halswell), David Mawhinney (Western), Danny Halligan (Chch City), Halim Geor (Chch Utd), Ian Bell (Western), Jamie Duncan (Chch Utd), Chris Peck (Rangers), Keith Grosvenor (Halswell), Eli Doornenbaal (Nomads), Ben Hughes, Michael Sands (both Chch City).