Friends of Football encourages the recognition of those who make a significant contribution to the game in New Zealand
He’s the forgotten man of New Zealand football but Hamilton-born Adam Thomas is landing rave reviews for courage and determination as he makes a career comeback on the other side of the world. Thomas (28), who lost six years of … Read More
Sunday’s Kate Sheppard Cup final will become the last hurrah for some of the Hamilton Wanderers players who will face Wellington United at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium. After a cup campaign that’s taken nine months due to COVID-related disruptions, some … Read More
Capital Football have recognised on-field and off-field achievement in their region with a series of 34 awards. Due to twice having to postpone a live awards function due to COVID restrictions, the federation have decided to unveil their winners in … Read More
All Whites striker Chris Wood has been praised by his Newcastle United club manager Eddie Howe for his “amazing achievement” in breaking the all-time goalscoring record for New Zealand. Howe told the official Newcastle United site: “I think it’s an … Read More
Football Fern Rebekah Stott will clock up her 100th appearance in the women’s A-League when she chases Grand Final glory with her Melbourne City team. Stott (28) will play against her former club, Melbourne Victory, in the Preliminary Final at … Read More
Two New Zealanders will be among the pool of referees who will officiate at the Oceania FIFA World Cup qualifiers in Qatar. They are Matt Conger and Nick Waldron. Conger makes a return trip to Qatar, having attended for the … Read More
Two Waikato-raised players are on international stand-by for this month’s preliminary qualifiers for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. Winger Mohamed Awad (27) and striker Jama Boss (28) have been named in a provisional squad for Somalia for a home-and-away … Read More
This year’s Lotto NRFL first division is going to be as tight as it’s ever been, says veteran coach Paul Marshall, newly-appointed Director of Football at Onehunga Mangere United. “I genuinely believe there’ll be eight or nine clubs all pushing … Read More
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