Soccer Clubs - Central United
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Children can start to learn soccer from about the age of 5yrs, and there are many clubs in Auckland. Below is a list of clubs in your area.
Central United FC is recognised today as one of the premier football clubs in New Zealand. When the club was formed back in 1962 this was far from the case.
The Dalmatian migrant influence on New Zealand history is long, rich and profoundly positive. 2008 marks the 150th anniversary of Croatian settlement in New Zealand.
The earliest generations played their part in building this country from the ground up, and successfully integrated into Kiwi society while retaining their unique cultural heritage.
Later arrivals were similarly positive in their efforts and contributions, and many brought with them not only the traditional love of culture, wine and good company, but also a passion for football. In a rugby-mad country like New Zealand, this was a further mark of difference, and football became another theatre in which these migrants could gather and enjoy their common experience and background. For 2 years in the late 1940s, the Jadran Yugoslav Sports Club provided a focal point for these energies, but was unable to maintain this momentum. A new entity was needed, and arrived in 1962 with the formation of Central Soccer Club.
Many members of the local Yugoslav, Dalmatian and Croatian communities supported this endeavour with a mixture of time, effort and money. The team started out in Auckland’s lowest senior grade, and led a peripheral existence playing at different grounds around the city. But whether it was Auckland Domain, Rewa Park, Western Springs, Walker Park, Anderson Park or Rosebank Road, the quality of the side was obvious and their results invariably reflected this.
There were also chances for games out of Auckland, like the trip north to Whangarei to play a friendly fundraiser for the Skopje Earthquake Fund, and the journey south to face Adriatic in Wellington. These sojourns not only strengthened bonds within Central’s ranks, but also allowed valuable links to be forged with other clubs.
The club earned early success by winning it’s league in 1964 and gaining promotion to the Northern 2nd Division league for the 1965 season.
This promotion required the formation of the first two junior teams and transformed Central Soccer Club from adolescence to early adulthood.
1965 proved to be a break through year for the young Central Football Club, finally putting down roots at todays home ground at Freyberg Field on Kiwitea Street in Sandringham. Thanks to the Mt Albert Borough Council the Club was granted the use of this site, which had previously been the home of the Pioneers Softball Club, and a training ground for Ponsonby FC. The small field with it’s modest facilities was perfect for the emerging club’s needs and within a couple of years, the Council allowed floodlights to be erected – at the club’s expense, of course – and Central’s home began to take shape.
This was the late 60s, and Freyberg Field soon became known as a place for good football and, er, boisterous spectators. But more than that, it provided space for Dalmatian migrants of different generations, hosting community events like the annual Married v Singles match each September. It also allowed the club to establish some good natured local rivalries, such as the annual match with Metro FC for the Paul Jelicich Memorial Trophy.
The club continued to grow and whilst they weren’t yet playing on the hallowed turf of Auckland’s Newmarket Park, their sights were set high and team photos were often taken there.
With the junior club growing and taking root, Central Soccer Club was in good health as it entered the 1970s. Teams were enjoying success out on the field and the club continued to cast the net wide with trips and tournaments to Wellington, Taupo, Rotorua and Cambridge.
CLUB HONOURS:
- National League Champions 1999 & 2001
- Chatham Cup Winners 1997, 1998, 2005 & 2007
- National League Runners Up 1998
- Chatham Cup Runners Up 2000 & 2001
- Northern Premier League Champions 2004, 2007 & 2008
- Northern League First Division Champions 1988, 1991 & 2000
- Northern League Third Division Champions 1986
- Northern League Fourth Division Champions 1984
- AFA 2nd Open B Champions 1964
- Napier U19 Youth Championship Winners 1996, 1999, 2002 & 2005
- Napier U19 Youth Championship Runners Up 1997, 1998, 2004, 2006 & 2007
- Manchester United U15 Premier Cup - NZ & Oceania Champions 2007 & 2008
Contact:
Soccer Clubs - Central United
Phone: (09) 629 3262
Website: http://www.centralunited.co.nz/