One of Auckland football’s greatest volunteers has been remembered through an end-of-season friendly match between two rival women’s teams.
The Maureen Burnside Memorial Trophy was won by Bay Olympic’s Royals who shaded the Mt Albert Shenanigans team, winning 1-0.
The late September match and trophy help keep alive memories of Maureen Burnside, long considered to be the ‘mother’ of Mt Albert Ponsonby after serving in various volunteer roles for 46 years, till her death in 2018.
She, her husband Wally and son Tony were all made Life Members of MAP, and she was also recognised by Auckland Football for her long service to the sport.
Main photo: Maureen Burnside … a classic car fan, as well as a football supporter.
Bay Olympic and Mt Albert played for the memorial trophy, enjoying a close game in which the Royals saved a penalty and then grabbed a winner.
Result
Mt Albert Ponsonby Shenanigans 0
Bay Olympic Royals 1
Maureen Burnside: Every role from cook to club patron
In 46 years with Mt Albert Ponsonby, Maureen Burnside filled every volunteer role from cook to club patron.
In 1971, she and husband Wally arrived at the club with their sons Tony and Craig, looking to register them to play football.
When she returned home, she informed Wally he would be the team’s coach and she would be the manager.
That began a long list of positions held at the club — junior president, bistro kitchen manager (famous for her lamb and gravy rolls), team manager of a dozen different teams and every role on the club’s board.
In recognition, Maureen and Wally Burnside were made club co-patrons.
In 2011, they were awarded long-service medals by Auckland Football.
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