Maguire Using Dubai Stint To Further Career

Newcastle Herald

Wednesday July 2, 2008

Josh Leeson BACK OF THE NET

JOSH Maguire's soccer career has been a long and winding road.

The 28-year-old Azzurri midfielder can soon add Dubai to the list of his football destinations after he flew out for the United Arab Emirates yesterday to resume his professional career.

In the past decade Maguire has played in Romania twice, Ireland, China, New Zealand and Sydney.

Once in Dubai, Maguire will undergo a medical then trial for a contract with one of three first-division clubs.

The contract will be for one season, and the competition starts in six weeks.

It was a whirlwind decision for Maguire, who received the offer eight days ago.

He was been the standout player in the Northern NSW State League this season, and his departure will leave a gaping hole in the Azzurri ranks. But Azzurri president Shane Tull expects to see Maguire again in sky blue.

"He's played with us on and off for six years, and in that time he's been to Romania twice, Ireland, China and now Dubai, so as long as he keeps coming back to us we don't mind," Tull said.

"It does hurt us as he was probably the best player in the comp and on Sunday William Pryce suffered a significant knee injury and looks likely to miss the rest of the season."

The loss of Maguire and Pryce has also been compounded by defender Regan Taylor leaving the club to begin Jets training on Monday.

Unfortunately for Maguire and Azzurri, he did not enjoy a farewell win on Sunday. He missed the 4-0 loss to Toronto Awaba due to suspension for collecting his fourth yellow card of the season the week before against Hamilton.

Tull said Maguire's main motivation for heading to Dubai was to position himself for an A-League contract in 2009.

Maguire was a member of the inaugural Auckland Knights side.

"He thought he might be a chance of making it in one of the new A-League franchises and he thought his CV would read a lot better having played with a club over there [Dubai] than your last club being a state league team," Tull said.

Tull said it was unfortunate that Maguire never had the chance to show his wares in his home city.

"It's disappointing because he made contact with the Jets and asked them if he could train and they wouldn't let him, so I don't know if someone got some bad mail on him," he said. "Obviously the regime isn't interested in him one bit, so it's not like he's walking away from Newcastle. There just wasn't any opportunity for him."

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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