Latest news from Friends of Football
Central League club Waterside Karori have parted company with recently-appointed head coach Rory Fallon, replacing him with Tomás Godoy Fouquet. In an update to supporters through their social media, Waterside Karori say they and former All White Fallon “made a … Read More
Former Western Springs defender Zac Zoricich has signed with Australian club Sydney Olympic. Zoricich (21) joins the National Premier League NSW club after a stint with the Central Coast Mariners academy. Main photo: Zac Zoricich … has joined Sydney Olympic. … Read More
Southern League club Selwyn United are recruiting a head coach and assistant coach for the new season following the departure of last season’s coach, Lee Padmore. Padmore (34) has been appointed as the new academy director for the Wellington Phoenix. … Read More
By Harrison Ryburn Another huge year beckons for football in New Zealand in 2024, fresh off record-breaking crowds and football fever that gripped the nation during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. As Kiwis return from their summer by the … Read More
Both Wellington Phoenix teams play high-flying Melbourne opponents in the men’s and women’s A-Leagues this weekend. The Phoenix men host a top-of-the-table clash with Melbourne Victory at Sky Stadium on Friday, while the women head to Melbourne for a Sunday … Read More
The Wellington Phoenix expect a bumper crowd for Friday night’s top-of-the-table clash with Melbourne Victory at Sky Stadium. Club general manager David Dome says pre-game ticket sales are the strongest in two seasons and he’s urging fans to book their … Read More
Thirty-two teams descended on Australia and New Zealand in a bid to become champions of the world. Relive the moments that made history at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in this official film of the tournament, available free on … Read More
Two Waikato teenagers are spending a month training with professional Spanish club CF Rayo Majadahonda. Hamilton Wanderers defender Dylan Gardiner (17) and Cambridge midfielder Luke Brooke-Smith (15) will train at the Madrid club who play in the Primera Federación, returning … Read More
New Zealand international Chris Wood has helped his Nottingham Forest through to the fourth round of the English FA Cup with an extra-time winner against Blackpool. With the third round replay seemingly heading to penalties, Wood (32) finished a Forest … Read More
Out-of-favour All Whites forward Elliott Collier has signed for second-tier American club Indy Eleven. Hamilton-born Collier (28) joins the USL Championship club from San Diego Loyal SC. It will be Collier’s second spell at the Indianapolis-based Indy Eleven as he … Read More
Promoted Birkenhead United have named Jordan Roberts as head coach for their Lotto NRFL Women’s Championship side. Roberts (44) joins Birkenhead from Eastern Suburbs where he coached youth players and was an assistant coach at Women’s National League level. “I … Read More
All Whites midfielder Ryan Thomas faces another serious setback to his career, suffering a season-ending injury. His Dutch club PEC Zwolle have announced: “Bad news. Ryan Thomas has suffered a knee injury and will not play again this season.” Thomas … Read More
Football Fern Hannah Wilkinson’s match-winning goal against Norway in the FIFA Women’s World Cup opening game is a finalist for New Zealand’s favourite sporting moment of 2023. The goal, which gave New Zealand their first-ever win at a World Cup … Read More
Wellington Olympic or Auckland City have been drawn to play clubs from Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Fiji in their group at May’s OFC Men’s Champions League. The two New Zealand clubs will meet in a home-and-away two-legged play-off … Read More
English Championship club Stoke City have signed New Zealand U-23 goalkeeper Scott Morris from Christchurch United. Morris (22) has signed a contract with Stoke till the end of the 2024-25 season. The former Wairarapa United and Hawkes Bay United player … Read More
Auckland United will face teams from Fiji, Tonga and New Caledonia at the OFC Women’s Champions League tournament in March. The New Zealand national champions will play group games against Labasa (Fiji), Veitonga (Tonga) and a yet-to-be-decided club to represent … Read More
The Wellington Phoenix have moved quickly to find a new academy director, appointing Canterbury’s Lee Padmore. Padmore (34) returns to Wellington to replace Steve Coleman, who is leaving at the end of January 2024 to pursue a new opportunity overseas. … Read More
Frances Hallford, Takapuna’s longest-living Life Member, has died peacefully at her home in Auckland, aged 91. She leaves behind decades of service to the club, serving as junior secretary, committee member, delegate to the regional football association and team manager. … Read More