Stories and information that contribute to protecting the heritage of football in New Zealand
“Coaching has only a little to do with beating the other team …” So wrote larger-than-life North Shore United coach Don Jones in 1980. Jones’ thoughts on the lot of the club coach in the amateur New Zealand environment were … Read More
Today (December 14) marks the 100-year anniversary of the establishment of the Chatham Cup, a trophy that has become the most-contested club competition in New Zealand. The trophy – a meticulous replica of the English FA Cup – was presented … Read More
A long-time tradition bringing together former North Shore United players, officials and supporters has been revived. The ‘Friday Cuppa Club’ began in the 1970s as a way for Shore enthusiasts to get together for a weekly coffee and to chew … Read More
The year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of Melville AFC (initially as Melville District Schoolboys), which was the foundation club of the current Melville United, and a major celebration is planned for the weekend of November 4-6. But … Read More
While next year will celebrate the FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand, 2023 will also provide another milestone for women’s football. It will be the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Auckland Women’s Football Association, the body that … Read More
Christchurch United’s return to national league football after an absence of thirty years has brought back memories of the club’s past glories. The story of the club has been told in the book 50 Years United 1970-2020, by Coen Lammers, … Read More
By Bruce Holloway The “Technical Old Boys “name has pretty much disappeared from New Zealand’s football landscape these days. But 60 years ago, this tiny Hamilton club was the talk of the code – and certainly talk of the town … Read More
By Grigor Griffin With Melville now back in national league ranks for the first time in 24 years, it’s perhaps a fitting time to take a deep dive down Memory Lane, back to the days of the 1997-98 National Soccer … Read More
By Coen Lammers Christchurch United players are set to write a new chapter in the club’s illustrious history, when they line up for the club’s first National League match in 30 years, on Saturday against Birkenhead United. Exactly three decades … Read More
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 … Read More
Half a century has passed since one of New Zealand’s most talented footballers scored a hat-trick in his international debut. On September 17, 1972, Blockhouse Bay winger Ian Ormond pulled on the New Zealand shirt for the first time, playing … Read More
By Joan Grey Imagine it’s 1975. You’re in Hong Kong, about to walk onto the football pitch to face the host nation in front of a home crowd anticipating your defeat. You’re the underdog. You haven’t ever played in an … Read More
Thirty years ago this month, Miramar Rangers won the 1992 Chatham Cup, beating Waikato United 3-1 in the final at Wellington’s Basin Reserve. Darren Fellows put Waikato ahead early before Billy Wright levelled for Rangers. Wright scored again with a … Read More
For 20-year-old Graham Dacombe, it was the greatest game of football he ever played — four goals in a Chatham Cup final, a match the newspaper headlines later billed as ‘Dacombe’s epic cup final’. It was the classic 1972 Chatham … Read More
It took more than 55 years but the part-time footballers who took on the might of Manchester United in 1967 were finally together again … Surviving members of the Auckland and New Zealand squads gathered at Auckland United’s clubrooms at … Read More
In May 1967, George Lamont scored the goal of his life. Playing in front of 26,000 at Auckland’s Carlaw Park, the 23-year-old forward struck his shot past Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney. He leaped into the air, waving his arm … Read More
Friends of Football’s reunion for those involved in the 1967 Manchester United tour to New Zealand attracted media interest, including coverage from 1News and broadcaster Andrew Saville. His story appeared on the national 6pm bulletin for 1News. Here it is: … Read More
When referee Les Coffman filled in his match report and expenses claim for a game in May 1967, he never expected to have it presented back to him more than 55 years later. The match was the ground-breaking tour game … Read More