Waikato Division 3 Team Photo
CENTRE SPOT MAGAZINE
The Club’s first foray into a weekly magazine
NEWSPAPER Match reports
AMALGAMATION
The great feature of note this year was the amalgamation of AFFCo Rangers and Ngaruawahia United under the banner of Ngaruawahia-Affco United, giving AFFCo Rangers a lifeline and Ngaruawahia automatic entry into the Northern League 4th Division for 1978. The team played in the AFFCo strip of sky blue shirts with white facings, a white strip on the left side and sky blue shorts. Les Vuletich was the coach. The team retained their position in the league with 7th spot.
Waikato 1st Division
HOWDEN SHIELDP W D L F A Pts
Hamilton 16 14 1 1 98 12 29
Cambridge 18 13 2 3 57 14 28
Melville 17 11 1 5 62 20 23
Claudlands Rovers 16 10 2 4 43 20 22
Waikato Unicol 16 6 3 7 26 43 15
Fraser 17 5 4 8 32 38 14
Tokoroa 17 5 2 10 21 56 12
Cameron 16 3 2 11 20 62 8
Ngaruawahia 18 3 2 13 22 74 7
Wanderers 17 3 1 13 19 67 7
MAT WILLIAMS
Found in the local newspaper: WILLIAMS. – On September 25, 1977, at Campbell Johnstone, to Maxine (nee Sellars) and Steve, a son (Matthew James). Both well.
SCUTTLEBUT
The Club “Centre Spot” magazine featured the following in an article of Scuttlebut by Sideline Sam relating to the birth of Matty Williams… This small, unobtrusive entry in our local newspaper, belies the impact on history that this occasion is to have. Having obligingly waited until his father had made his valuable contribution to the Mead Cup final, Matthew James Williams decided it was time to start his soccer career. Immediately at birth he began exercising his push-pass technique using the inside of either foot, flexing his tiny fists in frustration when he found the Waikato Hospital Board had failed to provide a practice ball. His high, intelligent forehead indicates the potential of an accurate and powerful header in later years. Given a little time Matthew will begin to demonstrate the enthusiasm of his mother and the skills of his father in the world of soccer. (Dated 30th Sept 1977)
Waikato 1st Division
MEAD CUPP W D L F A Pts
Ngaruawahia United 4 4 0 0 19 4 8
Tokoroa 4 2 0 2 6 3 4
Waikato Unicol 4 2 0 2 6 6 4
Fraser 4 1 1 2 4 14 3
Hamilton Wanderers 4 0 1 3 8 17 1
SWEAR BOX
Towards the end of the year the SWEARBOX was brought back into action with Maxine Williams running out of money after just one sentence! Hans Czichy and Staf Magee paid their fines in advance, while Ian Miller swore in gaelic.
BABY BOOM
Club babies that made appearances on the scene this year were via the Gormans, MacDonalds, McCaigs, Williams, Barnes and Morgans.
FITTERS CLASH
Towards the end of 1977 there was the great soccer/league clash between Ngaruawahia and the AFFCO fitters. Doug Marsh has constructed a very clever trophy comprising half of a soccer ball disappearing into half of a league ball in kauri.
The League segment was refereed by Sharky Berryman in which Doug Marsh and Alec Buchanan spotted down for a try apiece. Spotty Smyth and Red McIntosh shone for the fitters until Spotty disappeared into a mudhole and had to be carried off Keith Heslop, Mike Jobsis and Dave O’Carroll tackled well. Tommy Geddis and Alec Buchanan combined to send Tommy in for a try. Others to feature for the fitters were Jake McManus, Owen Gibson, Rod Dennis, Jeff Brunning, Bishop Pope, Murray Polsen and Charles Gorman.
The soccer lads drew level in the league tally with tries to Ronnie Clarke and Chris Duffell and the teams turned around into the soccer leg with Ben Henckel at the whistle. Mike Liddle and Ken Murray netted early for Narra. The fitters conceded a penalty but kept the ball out using three goalkeepers. Steve Williams scored the final goal for a 3-0 win with Sharky Berryman having a flawless game in the United goal (and having to be woken up at fulltime!).
JACKETS
Members were able to purchase their own Club Jacket ($60) and trousers ($15) through Billy McCaig.
ON AIR
Barney Barnard of Radio Waikato was found on most senior home games parked beside the old clubhouse relaying his on-air reports to the region. His gammy leg did not prevent him providing a colourful and accurate report every 30 minutes.
ARM WRESTLING
Thursday evenings came alive at the end of the season with some arm-wrestling action. Neil Gorman won by bluff and guile while George and Ian stayed locked in mortal combat until the table collapsed.
Waikato 2nd Division MARSHALL CUP P W D L F A Pts
Hillcrest 13 12 1 0 50 13 25
Te Awamutu 13 11 1 1 53 16 23
Morrinsville 13 6 5 2 19 15 17
Te Aroha 13 7 1 5 35 34 15
Huntly Thistle 13 6 3 4 26 21 15
Marist 12 5 4 3 41 29 14
Te Kuiti 13 4 4 5 31 23 12
Hamilton 13 5 2 6 29 30 12
Otorohanga 13 5 2 6 22 29 12
Putaruru 13 4 3 6 39 36 11
Melville 13 3 2 8 26 39 8
Ngaruawahia 13 3 2 8 16 44 8
Claudlands Rovers 13 2 2 9 21 49 6
Matamata 12 2 0 10 23 49 4
SHANE BORN
GORMAN – on September 30, 1977, at Campbell Johnstone, to Lynda (nee Davis) and Neil, a son (Shane). Both well.
REP’S
The 1977 Waikato Representative side was made up of: Sean Finn, Ron Little, John Brown, Paul Addison, Bill Trembath, Jeff Tozer, Colin Shannon, Mike Liddle, John Marshall, Robert Hutchison, Mike Haddleton with substitutes Gary Dillistone, Fred Roest and Paul Gemmell. A match against Hamilton resulted in a 3-2 to Hamilton with goals scored for Hamilton by John McDermid, Barry McKenzie and Keith Nelson. Waikato scored through Mike Haddleton and John Marshall.
A second clash was played against Combined Services for a 5-2 win to Waikato. The team comprised: Sean Finn, Doug Snapes, John Brown, Jim McNeill, Mike Heappey, Mike Haddleton(2), Mike Liddle, Colin Shannon, John Marshall, G Hancock(2), Robert Hutchison, Gary Dillistone, Jeff Tozer, M Lepine (one own goal).
ROOF ON
Two thousand five hundred square feet of roofing was completed on the new clubrooms covering 4000 square feet of clubroom over one weekend. Many were the stories of the exploits of the workers that weekend. One was the convinced opinion that AFFCo were laying off workers just so they could spend more time on the Clubhouse construction. Another was the appearance on the roof of one Glen gray (after it was completed) just before his lady arrived on the scene, so he could ‘prove’ that he did not come down to the club just for a drink. What about Malcolm Burt toppling from the roof and landing perfectly between two of the flooring joists (he knows how to nutmeg!).
JUNIOR KNOCKOUT
The Club 8th Grade were downed 3-2 after extra time by Hillcrest in the Parker-Hilton Knock-out Shield. Goals were scored by John Bell and Kerry McKee at the Fairfield High venue in front of 300 spectators.
COUNCIL ELECTIONS
Four Club members entered the local Council elections – Ian Todd, Graham Maley, Anne Patterson and Jim Luff.
Waikato 3rd Division RUSHTON CUP P W D L F A Pts
Cambridge 10 8 1 1 41 12 17
Hillcrest 10 6 2 2 29 12 14
Unicol 1 10 5 2 3 23 18 12
Fraser 10 4 2 4 20 21 10
Unicol 2 9 1 1 7 14 41 3
Ngaruawahia 9 1 0 8 10 31 2
A DRESSING DOWN
Cambridge Clothing (Auckland) travelled to Ngaruawahia to meet their Hamilton Branch in a soccer match. In the Hamilton team were Rod Hill, Dean Haggie, Jason Cargo, Ricky Duffell and Bruce McIntosh. Auckland won 1-0.
REPRESENTATIVES
Five Narra players were involved in the Waikato senior representative side under the Coaching of Les Vuletich -John Brown, Phillip Bullivant, Malcolm Sowerby, Mike Liddle, Ken Murray.
Waikato 4th Division CRABB TROPHY P W D L F A Pts
Claudlands Rovers 12 8 2 2 36 19 18
Hillcrest 12 5 2 5 31 22 12
Fraser 12 3 4 5 21 32 10
Ngaruawahia 12 2 4 6 21 37 8
WELDING
Charlie Green was the mainstay welder during the construction of the clubhouse, ably assisted by two other Charlies and a few apprentices.
CLUBROOMS
It was noted in the Club weekly that $12,970.23 had been spent on the new clubrooms.
Waikato Ladies PANDORA CUP P W D L F A Pts
Hamilton 13 12 0 1 46 5 24
Claudlands 1 13 10 2 1 31 6 22
Te Kuiti 13 9 0 4 37 8 18
Wanderers 12 7 1 4 18 16 15
Ngaruawahia 14 4 1 9 9 30 9
Huntly Thistle 13 3 2 8 16 29 8
Waikato Unicol 10 1 0 9 3 30 2
Claudlands 2 12 1 0 11 6 44 2
CLUB AWARDS 1977
10th Grade Most Improved: Steven Lauder. Player of ’77: D Gifford
9th Grade Most Improved: M Nepia. Player of ’77: Elliot Cathro
8th Grade Most Improved: Gary Ridley. Players of ’77: Paul McMillan & G Henman.
7th Grade Most Improved: Richard Wardell. Player of ’77: Ian Roberts.
Waikato Div 4 Most Improved: Peter Harrop. Player of ’77: William Harding.
Waikato Div 3 Most Improved: Ben Henckel. Player of ’77: Staf Magee
Waikato Div 2 Most Improved: Steve Buchanan. Player of ’77: Joe Wright.
Waikato Div 1 Most Improved: Neil Gorman. Player of ’77: Malcolm Burt.
Northern League Most Improved: Jason Cargo. Player of ’77: Mike Liddle.
Ladies Most Improved: Diane Fairey. Player of ’77: Glenys Fraser.
Supporters’ Trophy: Mary Gorman.
Valour Award for Injury: Malcolm Sowerby.
HIGH SCHOOL
A challenge had been set by the local High School 1st 11 to play anyone who wished to make up opposition. The first game against the Club 11 was won 5-4 by the school, the second 4-3 to the Club. School scorers were: Alistair Bell (2) and Kani TeWiata. Club scorers: Ken Murray (2), Tony Janssen and an own goal by Dean Haggie.
The Ngaruawahia High School 1st 11 featured David White, Kani TeWiata, Richard Anderson, William Harding, Jason Cargo (Capt.), Dean Haggie, Tumai Hopa, Bruce McIntosh, Glen Solomon, Alistair Bell, Andy Bell, Peter Harrop, Andrew Williamson and Greg Bradshaw, coached by Sandy MacDonald
The Club squad was Rod Hill, Michael Rooney, Kerry Barakat, Taffy Tengu, Ben Henckel, David Bell, Tony Janssen, Ray Guy, Ken Murray Chris Duffell, Ricky Duffell and Mark Snowden. Kani Te Wiata and William Harding were sponsored by the club in their travels down to Christchurch with the Waikato under-16 squad.
Those who represented Ngaruawahia High School during 1977:
1st 11: David White, William Harding, Glen Solomon, Keith Mackrell, Jeffrey Moana, Andy bell, Brian Harding, William Middleton, Paul McMillan, Trevor Hunapo, Karl Brown, Kevin Dooley, Mark Wanakore, Stanley Kepa.
2nd 11: Keri Magee, Gary Ridley, Jeffrey Moana, William Middleton, Kerry McKee, Gordon Rajendram, Ian Roberts, Stanley Kepa, Brian Harding, Paul McMillan, Keith Mackrell.
3rd Form 11: Paul Harrison, Darryl McBurney, Ian Roberts, Gary Bridgeman, Murray Prowse, Arthur Paul, Mark Edwards, Leo Carroll, Richard Wardell, Gary Mudgway, Alan McLean, Stanley Kepa.
NGARUAWAHIA HIGH SCHOOL 1st XI REPORT
With most of the senior squad playing Waikato senior matches only two inter-school and two friendly games were played. The boys drew with Hillcrest and won against Huntly. Two games against Waikato 1st Division players gave the boys a win and a loss.
Captain Jason Cargo was awarded the Most Improved played jointly with William Harding. Goalkeeper David White and Alistair Bell shared the Most Outstanding trophy while Kani TeWiata and Dean Haggie came in neck-and-neck for the most valuable team member.
NGARUAWAHIA HIGH INDOOR SOCCER
This proved a popular lunchour activity in the gymnasium amongst all classes. The staff team was made up of: Bruce Stephens, Chris Grinter, Sandy MacDonald, Tim Meadowcroft and Gary Spetch.
1977 Northern League Div.4 Table
NL Div Four P W D L F A GD Pts
Tokoroa 18 11 6 1 42 17 25 28
Kelston West 18 11 4 3 40 25 15 26
Central 18 10 7 1 46 21 25 25
Fraser 18 10 3 5 36 22 14 23
Otara Rangers 18 9 2 7 45 24 21 20
Waikato Unicol 18 5 5 8 25 27 -2 15
Ngaruawahia Affco 18 4 4 10 23 53 -30 14
Teachers United 18 5 3 10 41 40 1 13
High School Old Boys 18 3 3 12 18 41 -23 9
Onehunga-Mangere 18 3 1 14 17 63 -46 7
1977 Ngaruawahia-AFFCo, Northern League Div. 4 (Matches Played)
Date Venue Opponent Result Goalscorers
2-Apr-77 A Fraser Lost 0 4
16-Apr-77 A Central Won¹ 1 3 Rose
23-Apr-77 A Waikato Unicol Won 3 1 Tozer 2, Gorman
30-Apr-77 A Tokoroa Lost 0 9
7-May-77 H Kelston West Lost 2 3 J Brown, S Williams
21-May-77 H Teachers United Lost 1 3 Sowerby
28-May-77 A Onehunga-Mangere United Won 1 0 Sowerby
11-Jun-77 H High School Old Boys Drew 2 2 Guy, J Brown
18-Jun-77 A High School Old Boys Won 1 0 J Brown
25-Jun-77 H Fraser Lost 0 3
2-Jul-77 H Central Drew 2 2 Sunnex 2
9-Jul-77 A Otara Rangers Lost 1 6 J Brown
16-Jul-77 H Tokoroa Lost 1 3 Gorman
23-Jul-77 A Kelston West Drew 2 2 J Brown 2
30-Jul-77 H Waikato Unicol Drew 1 1 J Brown
6-Aug-77 H Onehunga-Mangere United Lost 0 2
13-Aug-77 A Teachers United Won 5 3 Gorman 2, Hanif, Haggie, Bullivant
27-Aug-77 H Otara Rangers Lost 0 6
CHATHAM CUP
14-May-77 A Claudelands Rovers Won 2 2 J Brown 2
4-Jun-77 A Huntly Thistle Lost 0 3
1977 Ngaruawahia-AFFCo, Northern League Div. 4 (Appearances)
Starts Sub Goals
Bowers Graham 16 0 0
Brown John 13 0 7
Bullivant Philip 14 1 1
Cargo Jason 2 0 0
Carrigan Eddie 6 2 0
Cotter Allan 4 0 0
Coyne Tim 17 1 0
Duffull Dan 1 1 0
Frankhouser Maurice 1 0 0
Gorman Charlie 18 0 4
Guy Ray 2 1 1
Haggie Dean 2 0 1
Hanif Mohammed 4 5 1
Hill Rodney 3 0 0
Innes Ian 1 0 0
Liddle Michael 18 0 0
MacDonald Sandy (GK) 14 0 0
McGhie Barclay 6 0 0
McLennan Paul 1 0 0
Murray Ken 11 0 0
Nightingale Rex 1 0 0
Rose Allan 2 2 1
Sowerby Mel 18 0 2
Sturm Doug 6 2 0
Sunnex George 8 1 2
Tozer Jeff 4 0 2
Vuletich Les 4 5 0
Williams Steve 1 3 1
198 24 23
1977 Ngaruawahia-AFFCo United, Chatham Cup (Appearances)
Starts Sub Goals
Bowers Graham 2 0 0
Brown John 2 0 2
Bullivant Philip 1 0 0
Carrigan Eddie 1 0 0
Cotter Allan 2 0 0
Coyne Tim 1 0 0
Gorman Charlie 2 0 0
Hanif Mohammed 1 0 0
Liddle Michael 2 0 0
MacDonald (GK) Sandy 2 0 0
McGhie Barclay 2 0 0
Murray Ken 1 0 0
Sowerby Mel 2 0 0
Sturm Doug 0 2 0
Vuletich Les 1 0 0
22 2 2