Canterbury United

From The Press:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/77590885/ryan-de-vries-double-leads-auckland-city-to-asb-premiership-final

From The Press:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/77648201/canterbury-united-need-to-build-on-promising-asb-premiership-campaign

RIP Ben Hall, former Canterbury United defender who passed away from motor neuron disease a week ago.

Only 33.

I'm sure that if the disease hadn't struck him he's still be in the Canterbury United squad.

Had a season with Waitakere too several years ago.

http://deaths.press.co.nz/obituaries/the-press-nz/...

http://www.legacy.com/guestbooks/the-press-nz/benj...

Willy signs for another two years:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/78980495/ca...

great news 

Get out to Garrick Park Sunday next week for Siggie's All Star Charity match which is part of his Christchurch book launch weekend:

- Book Launch Charity fundraiser with 3 course meal Saturday 14 May 7 pm at the Woolston Club ($100 / ticket)

- All Star Football Match 1 pm Sunday May 15 Garrick Park, Woolston with eight former All Whites, some current Canterbury United players, Ben's former team mates, former NZ age group reps, some NZ women's reps

http://www.cashmere-soccer.co.nz/

"As part of our weekend of launching Ben Sigmund's book, there will be an "All Stars" Charity match on Sunday 15th May, 1pm KO at Garrick Park. The amazing line up is below":

We will be running a Junior mini tournament from 11 till 1 pm - all CTFC players are welcome. There will be an inflatable footy pitch, sausage sizzle, Bumper Ball, CTFC Gear sales and the chance to buy Ben's Book "Fully Committed". WE will be selling raffle tickets ($2) to raise money for Sunshine Football, The Neonatal Trust and Junior Football at CTFC. Come down and enjoy the fun!

Some fun quiz questions relating to the players above:

- which player had a father who conceded double figure goals against Manchester United in the 1960's?

- which player has represented NZ at the Touch Rugby World Cup and has also been a top Canterbury tennis player, as well as a footballer?

- which player was on the books of Walsall FC in the UK?

- which NZ-born player played in the youth team at Bury FC in the UK?

- which player spent several seasons playing in Finland?

- which player was an English Universities international?

The Ben Sigmund All Star charity game in Christchurch on Sunday was a cracker.

The sun came out after a cloudy morning to make conditions pleasant.

Some nice touches and classy goals from both sides and it finished 5-4 to the former NZ reps over Ben Sigmund's friends and team-mates.

I think it was 5-4 (there were so many goals in the second half, it might have actually been 6-4...)

Definitely 3-1 to the NZ reps at half time but the other side fought back well in the second half to make a really entertaining game.

Best players: Siggie (he relished pushing forward to try and get amongst the goals), Danny Halligan (former All White looking as slim and fit in his mid-fifties as in his prime in the 1980's and early nineties), Aaron Clapham, Dan Terris and Tom Schwarz (well, they're current Canterbury United players), Michael Sands (former national league striker still an imposing presence and scored a great long range goal), Annalie Longo (current Football Fern somewhat fitter and more mobile than some of the pot bellied males on display and went around most of the male players with ease heading for goal), Ben Stroud (had more than thirty years on some of the players out there such as his dad).

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

First time a NZ football book has been advertised on a bus?

I was pleasantly surprised to be sitting behind a bus in Christchurch traffic last week and to look up and see Ben's face looking down on me!

The whole of the rear of the bus was taken up with an ad for Ben's book.

Appropriately it was the "Yellow Line" bus (they are always painted entirely yellow) to go with the yellow theme of the book cover and Ben's yellow Nix strip in the ad.

The book tour is sponsored by former national league player of the '70's and 80's and Christchurch City national league coach, Scotsman George Morris and his Corporate Consumables business. Ben used to work for him. Hence the advertising budget I suppose.

Glen Collins also looked the goods.

From The Press:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/80293853/can...

Great news willy has signed for next season. From following the team the last few years I feel he really was a great coach and brought the best out in the players.

Which players from last year deserve to be re signed? There seem to be some promising locals in the mpl who should get a look in. 

Obviously many of the Cashmere boys will be resigned. Hopefully De Jong and Messenger are keen/available to return. Maybe a cheeky offer to Ben Sigmund as well if he's up for it. Can see Tasman targeting a few players on the edge of Canterbury selection. A few Coastal and Uni boys in particular I'd say. 

I'd expect the same cashmere boys to be involved, keeping the majority of the squad with some additions will put us in good stead. 

Tasman have signed turipa and kaua so will need to sign a goalie, Ruben Parker to re sign and start possibly? Although I'd love to see Danny Knight the local boy get first choice! 

De Jong and messenger both over seas currently, not sure when their season concludes, but given they are available, would love to see them back as were heavy parts in last seasons success.  Great lads to talk to also. 

An out of town GK wanted. This being a number one [intended] priority for the coach before he has to scout the MPL teams.

Willy to/has/will let his fingers do the walking as it used to be, could be facebook or skype these days. 

Scottie Rd is Tom Batty heading north?

Had been approached previously by an ex AW to go play in Auckland.

Job not as much a problem to get up there just the cost of buying a house or renting.

Maybe If he'd gone when first contacted could have made 500K on a house by now.

He is keen to get back and play for CU. 

I think he may have been on WGs wanted list. You could ask Willy next time you see him at an MPL game. 

Timing of a move back and jobs to sort couldn't be done in the couple of weeks to the start of July.

Angus Kilkolly is now with Lithuanian second division side FK Panevezys:

http://www.yellowfever.co.nz/categories/kiwi-playe...

I hear that de Jong and Messenger are doubtful to return as well.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/sport/82595002/ca...

Good start pleased they have started early this year.

The Dragons latest signing from The Press:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/82763896/eng...

Hoyle scored 10 goals for WaiBOp last season to finish third on the Golden Boot ladder - behind Ryan de Vries (Auckland City) 13 and Ben Harris (Team Wellington) 11.

Hi AW82. I've been waiting for you to put this possible new signing up on here.

Willy has an american on his list. Could be here for the first part of the season only.

Have you heard anything about this? 

Plays at the other end of the park to Hoyle.

Could he be like James Musa, playing USL in America and then playing the off season in ASB Prem and that is the reason why he would only be here for the first half of the season? 

Next time I see Willie I will ask him.

Anyone think that players names on shirts would be a good idea?

It's hard otherwise to identify players, especially new faces, subs etc.

I've contact all national league clubs suggesting this would be a good idea.

It would be great if other supporters asked clubs to do this.

As it is, it makes our national league look AMATEUR.        

I love it. The only challenge is cost as may teams run a fairly low budget. But if each team in their respective cities could use the same printing sponsor that does all the logos and numbers to just add the names, it would be fantastic. 

A Dutch friend of mine had a long chat with Willie recently who told him that the Dragons have less money this season to spend on bringing in players from out of town and so will be concentrating on Mainland League players.

It's going to be good for local players to get a chance - but maybe will mean a lowering in overall quality?

Breaking news - Canterbury United are signing a Dutch professional.

This came from an official involved with Canterbury United who told a journalist friend when we were at the Cashmere Technical after-match at the Woolston Club on Saturday.

Described as "playing a few divisions above Jesse Dingjan" who came out from the Dutch third division last season.

So I take it the new player is from either the Dutch first or second tier.

No more details such as position, age etc. - will have to wait for the press release.   

According to transfermarkt.de Canterbury signed Colin van Gool.

http://www.transfermarkt.de/colin-van-gool/profil/spieler/268084

Great detective work!

21 year-old central midfielder from Helmond Sport in the Dutch Eerste Divisie (second tier)

Career stats:

http://int.soccerway.com/players/colin-van-gool/29...

A first team player but only two appearances in the league last season, though ever-present on the bench. 

Was playing in the same league as All Whites and former Auckland City goalie Tamati Williams who plays for RKC Waalwijk.

Has already been playing in red and black which is a good sign:

Colin van Gool

I'd assume he knows where the Gool is. Hope Willy won't have him parking the Van.

More Info on him, these web sites rate his value at 25 Tsd Euro. Stu Kelly at 75 Tsd E and Aaron at 250 Tsd E

Seems it's not all BS I put on here. Got one of the players just signed and in the correct position. 

Must put my Robbie Fowler to work more often.

From the Press: Three Signings Announced

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/83595385/ame...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODhSj3hUj9I

One of the new signings in action

transfermarkt.com's player valuations are usually complete bollocks - unless a player is known to have been transferred for a definite sum of money.

In this case, Stu Kelly at his age and with a lack of recent professional game time, would not attract any transfer fee whatsoever - and Aaron, although we love him at Canterbury Utd, obviously would not be signed by any pro club for a transfer fee when he's currently an amateur. tranfermarkt.com think that because Aaron has been an international, that is what he's worth (it's a German website and so they think in German terms of what an international should be worth).

25,000 Euros is probably about right for a young bench player at a Dutch second tier club who only made two appearances as a sub last season.

Colin's been studying sports marketing in Holland and is coming here to take over Jesse Dinjan's role from last season as a marketing intern. Canterbury United have an arrangement with a Dutch university to take interns. 

From The Press: de Jong and Chang Sign On Again

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/83756897/and...

It's great that de Jong is coming back. One of the biggest young talents in the country.

But looks like Messenger isn't returning which will be a big loss defensively.

Squad is looking strong in midfield and up front but only three defenders signed so far - it's crucial they sign some decent ones.

Stirling Sport Premiership season draw:

http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/201...

Most games are on Sunday afternoons.

Two South Island derbies to start the season:

First Dragons game = Home vs.Tasman Utd Sunday October 23 2pm English Park

Second game = Away to Southern Utd Sunday 30 4.35 pm (Live on Sky TV)

The third South Island derby for the Dragons away to Tasman on Sunday January 8 is also on TV.

Remaining two Dragons TV games = home to Auckland City Jan. 22 and home to Team wellie on March 19 (last round of regular season).

Reduced TV coverage of one game per round now on Sky - no more Thursday night games (good thing I think)

There will also be a weekly highlights show with all games featured.

TV Coverage:

Auckland City - 7 games

Wee Nix - 6 games

Hamilton Wanderers - 5 games

Team Wellington - 4 games

Canterbury United - 4 games

Eastern Suburbs - 3 games

Hawkes Bay - 3 games

Waitakere United - 3 games

Tasman United - 3 games

Southern United - 2 games

From The Press: More Signings

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/84013408/thr...

Anyone see the CDs training run on Saturday?

Season trainings are four nights Tuesday to Friday but not sure with pre season day and times.

Looks like another signing according to Transfermarkt....