Friends of Football encourages the recognition of those who make a significant contribution to the game in New Zealand
Teenage striker Zander Edwards who played for Central League side Lower Hutt City last season has joined English Northern Premier League club Brighouse Town. Edwards (17) came off the bench to make his debut in a scoreless draw under lights … Read More
More than 60 years after helping to start the club, co-founder Ken Hastings has been made a Life Member of Papatoetoe AFC. He’ll go into the 2022 season as a spectator and supporter of his football-playing grandson but club members … Read More
All Whites striker Chris Wood hopes to quickly add to his goalscoring tally after breaking through for his first goal for Newcastle United. Wood (30) headed a Jonjo Shelvey cross into the Southampton net to help his Newcastle side to … Read More
Grace Jale has been one of the success stories for the Wellington Phoenix in the club’s debut season of women’s A-League competition. She finished the season with six goals, a decent tally for a player whose team finished bottom of … Read More
Promising Auckland teenager Zac Zoricich has signed for Australian men’s A-League club Central Coast Mariners. The versatile defender — he can play left or right back — has joined the Mariners on a Youth Development Agreement for 2022, reports the … Read More
West Auckland’s Oratia United have recognised the contributions of two outstanding volunteers by awarding them Honorary Membership. Club captain Russel Langsdale and multi-role administrator Jo Quintal were thanked by their club colleagues at Oratia’s recent Annual General Meeting. Russel Langsdale: … Read More
All Whites striker Chris Wood continues to wait for his first goal for new club Newcastle United but he’s getting credit for helping turn around the side’s form. He’s now played seven games for five wins and two draws, helping … Read More
Cashmere Technical striker Yayu Taguchi was awarded the Jack Batty Memorial Trophy for his man of the match performance in his side’s 4-2 Chatham Cup win against Miramar Rangers. Taguchi (25) scored twice in the second half to help his … Read More
Former Wellington Phoenix striker Roy Krishna has lifted his side into the semi-finals of the Indian Super League for the second year in a row, scoring the vital goal for three-time title winners ATK Mohun Bagan. Krishna (34) struck in … Read More
Wellington-born full back CJ Bott has joined English Women’s Super League club Leicester City after her departure from Norwegian first division side Vålerenga. The 26-year-old Football Fern joins the Foxes in time for their weekend match against Manchester United. She … Read More
Auckland United teenager Kate Duncan is heading to the United States for a football scholarship with Drexel University’s women’s team who play in the NCAA Division 1. Duncan (18) has represented New Zealand at U-17 level and has trained with … Read More
Two stalwarts of Auckland’s Eastern Suburbs club have been awarded Life Memberships to recognise their contributions to the club. Andy Robertson (left) and Jim Marsh (right) joined the Lilywhites honours list when fellow members acknowledged their achievements at the club’s … Read More
With few exceptions, the 2022 intake of new coaches at Lotto NRFL second division clubs are young and keen to forge reputations. New faces will be in the second tier dugouts, some a result of new appointments and others will … Read More
Five clubs will have new head coaches for the 2022 Lotto NRFL first division season and it’s clear that most place great importance on their quest for coaching qualifications. The division includes Northern Rovers and West Coast Rangers — both … Read More
Clubs in the north have been busy over the summer with new coaching appointments and some exploring the benefits of partnerships with other clubs. With the 2022 Northern League season looming, here’s Friends of Football’s round-up of what’s been happening … Read More
New Zealand’s southernmost football federation has a new chief executive for the 2022 season. Dougal McGowan (52) has been appointed CEO of Football South, one of the country’s six regional federations. McGowan succeeds Chris Wright who left Football South in … Read More
Football Fern Meikayla Moore has played a role in the nomination of Liverpool FC manager Jurgen Klopp for an award recognising his efforts to spread awareness and positivity for the LGBT+ community. The 54-year-old Klopp has been nominated alongside motor … Read More
Long-time volunteer Clare Elson has been recognised for her contributions to Papakura City FC with a Life Membership. The club granted her the honour at their Annual General Meeting this summer, adding her to a list of those who have … Read More