Stories and information that contribute to protecting the heritage of football in New Zealand
The links between Auckland’s new A-League expansion club and English Premier League club Bournemouth have revived memories of two tours of New Zealand. Auckland’s new club, Auckland FC, is owned by football investor Bill Foley, whose Black Knight Group own … Read More
In February 1992, New Zealand’s All Whites celebrated a 1-0 win against Scottish giants Celtic in a game that prompted plenty of off-field controversy. Chris Zoricich, then playing for English club Leyton Orient, scored the only goal of the game … Read More
Boots, shirts and a poi from New Zealand are among the exhibits added to an international football museum to help capture the history of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The Zurich-based FIFA Museum, the home of international football history, … Read More
In 1964, New Zealand sent its men’s national team on an ill-fated world tour, playing 15 matches against representative and club teams in Asia, Europe and the United States. New Zealand were beaten in all but one game, conceding 59 … Read More
By Craig Stephen When Brian Turner tells someone his international debut for New Zealand was a tournament in South Vietnam in 1967 as the war intensified and the Tet Offensive loomed, they tend to disbelieve him. This is the same … Read More
Auckland Anniversary Day holds a special link with an historic match played under floodlights sixty years ago. On January 27, 1964, Swiss Cup champions FC Basel came to Auckland’s Blandford Park to play a New Zealand team preparing for their … Read More
More than 120 Auckland girls will play their 2024 football in new boots, thanks to three Football Ferns ‘originals’ and apparel and boots supplier PUMA. They have been presented with new boots by 1975 Ferns Barbara Cox, Sandra Twiname and … Read More
In 1967, three Auckland teenagers were surprise selections for a New Zealand team chosen to play at an international tournament in war-stricken Vietnam. Dave Taylor (16), Brian Turner (17) and Earle Thomas (18) would all go on to long careers, … Read More
A ceremony at Sunday’s ‘Dominion Road Derby’ between Auckland City and Auckland United will see the unveiling of the newly-named grandstand at Kiwitea Street. The stand will be named after Central United stalwart David Vlatkovich, a long-time player and advocate … Read More
The death of English football legend Sir Bobby Charlton has stirred memories of his visits to New Zealand. Charlton, who has died aged 86 after a struggle with dementia, came to Aotearoa with English champions Manchester United in 1967, playing … Read More
By Max Fletcher The first Chatham Cup final was poorly attended, played on a Monday afternoon and at a Wellington ground best known for hosting All Black rugby tests. When the game ended, and joyful spectators carried members of the … Read More
By Joan Grey They were the trailblazers of women’s football in New Zealand and Australia — and they met for the first time in 1975 for the first international match between the two countries. For decades, their achievements as pioneers … Read More
New Zealand Football have shared the artwork behind their gesture of appreciation to the 204 Football Ferns, past and present, who helped get the team to the FIFA Women’s World Cup. The names of all 204 Ferns were included in … Read More
Fifty years ago, the Chatham Cup final was staged at Auckland’s Newmarket Park — the first time it had been played away from Wellington’s Basin Reserve. Only replays had taken the showcase event away from the capital — including the … Read More
For New Zealand football fans, any victory against arch-rivals Australia has brought widespread celebrations. But one of New Zealand’s greatest wins against the old foe often remains buried in the history of the sport — the winning of a three-match … Read More
Forty years ago, football’s national body made the controversial decision to take the Chatham Cup final to Gisborne. The 1983 final, between Gisborne City and Mount Wellington, was widely expected to be staged at Mount’s Bill McKInlay Park or at … Read More
How the first openly gay professional men’s footballer — one of England’s most headline-grabbing stars of the 80s and 90s — ended his career playing for a Wellington club side in New Zealand’s summer league. By Mathew Nash Justin Fashanu’s … Read More
As Melville United prepare for their 2023 Chatham Cup campaign, former players recall the Waikato club’s march to the final 20 years ago. Melville’s improbable 2003 Chatham Cup campaign — featuring an unfancied, slightly shambolic, but uncommonly gregarious team — … Read More