We honour the memory of those who have contributed to football in New Zealand
One of Waitemata FC’s earliest members, Brian Smith, has died in Auckland, aged 85. The popular UK-born Smith become one of the club’s driving forces soon after it was formed in 1959 and his volunteer efforts to build the club … Read More
Birkenhead United members and supporters are mourning the loss of long-time club president Kenny McQuuenie who has died in Auckland, aged 64. McQueenie served United as a player, administrator and delegate to Northern Football over many years, earning him a … Read More
The late Ian Ormond will be honoured by Auckland’s Bay Olympic club when they host their first home game in this season’s Northern League on Saturday April 9. The club invites family members, friends and admirers of the former New … Read More
Hamilton Wanderers members are mourning the loss of Dave Elgie, a former player and club leader credited with much of the progress made by the club. Elgie has died in Whitianga, aged 63. In a tribute to Elgie’s contribution to … Read More
An entrepreneurial businessman who played a key part in helping the the1982 All Whites get to the FIFA World Cup finals in Spain has died in Auckland. Ari Hallenberg helped develop new ways of creating sponsorships for football, generating income … Read More
Aucklander Fabian Ukich, a leader with ‘that special touch that brings people together’, has died after a long battle with cancer. Ukich (44) was a past president of the Croatian Cultural Society of New Zealand and was instrumental in helping … Read More
Friends and family will celebrate the life of former All White Ian Ormond at a memorial service to be held in Auckland in late 2022. Ormond, a former New Zealand football Player of the Year, died on October 8, 2021, … Read More
Football has lost one of its quiet achievers in Shane Davis who helped develop many young footballers through their progression from school to club in the Rotorua area. Davis, a Life Member at Ngongotaha Football Club, died on January 11, … Read More
A stalwart of Waikato football, Matamata AFC’s Barry Simonsen, has died, aged 85. The Matamata Swifts have shared the following news with members and the wider football community: “VALE // Barry Simonsen “We are devastated to learn of the passing … Read More
Former All White and New Zealand football Player of the Year Ian Ormond has died in Auckland, aged 72. Ormond was widely considered to be one of the best New Zealand players of his generation whose mercurial talent with the … Read More
Jeff Tozer, a coach who had a huge influence on Waikato club football over the past four decades, has died, aged 70. Tozer was instrumental in helping various clubs improve their coaching and helping teams play at Northern League level. … Read More
To many outsiders, Putaruru Rangers have defied all manner of sporting logic. In a town of 4,000 people, and in the rugby-mad district of South Waikato, there would be far easier places to set up a football club. Surrounded by … Read More
Football clubs throughout the upper North Island have shown their respect for Ngaruawahia United president Jared Williams who died last week, aged 39. Clubs throughout Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty shared a minute’s silence before weekend matches, and players … Read More
Abie Petraska, the mother of the late Dave Petraska, has invited friends of her son to gather to celebrate his life. Petraska, a former football writer, died this month in Colombia after catching the COVID-19 virus. Friends are invited to … Read More