Central League 2023

YoungHeartHM

mrsmiis

Though this might be interesting for any Taranaki lads - Georg Niedermeier, ex-Bayern and Stuttgart CB and German youth international, has joined New Plymouth Rangers for the upcoming Fed Premier season. Might remember him from his season at Victory in 18/19. Still only 37

Will have a chat to my workmate who's on the committee at Rangers to see how that's come about. Good effort for the tier of football we'll be playing in...

Rangers aren't playing Federation football this year, only playing the Taranaki Premiership after Cyclone Gabrielle made it untenable regarding travel arrangements to commit to a Federation League campaign.

Would you know why Havelock North aren't playing it as well? This puzzled me. 

lthomas20

YoungHeartHM

mrsmiis

Though this might be interesting for any Taranaki lads - Georg Niedermeier, ex-Bayern and Stuttgart CB and German youth international, has joined New Plymouth Rangers for the upcoming Fed Premier season. Might remember him from his season at Victory in 18/19. Still only 37

Will have a chat to my workmate who's on the committee at Rangers to see how that's come about. Good effort for the tier of football we'll be playing in...

Rangers aren't playing Federation football this year, only playing the Taranaki Premiership after Cyclone Gabrielle made it untenable regarding travel arrangements to commit to a Federation League campaign.

Would you know why Havelock North aren't playing it as well? This puzzled me. 

I can't find anything on it either, although they did put a call out a few weeks back still looking for players, but given what's been going on over there trying to recover from the flooding and all that, I'd say some have shelved plans playing footy for the immediate future while they try and recover their livelihoods.

ClubOranje

mrsmiis

Though this might be interesting for any Taranaki lads - Georg Niedermeier, ex-Bayern and Stuttgart CB and German youth international, has joined New Plymouth Rangers for the upcoming Fed Premier season. Might remember him from his season at Victory in 18/19. Still only 37

Funny club to join for the Fed season.
NPR don’t seem to be playing in it!

5BACB6F1-0DA9-4A82-AFF0-3F344EB6A721.jpeg 384.43 KB

Football is dead in Taranaki. Even the Taranaki Premier League only has 6 teams.

So is Rugby, I see that two Rugby Clubs Stratford and Inglewood, who used to be two of the power houses of Taranaki Rugby have amalgamated to form a team. 

mrsmiis

Though this might be interesting for any Taranaki lads - Georg Niedermeier, ex-Bayern and Stuttgart CB and German youth international, has joined New Plymouth Rangers for the upcoming Fed Premier season. Might remember him from his season at Victory in 18/19. Still only 37

Done a little bit of digging for this.
His Mrs is from New Plymouth and he's here on a holiday visa, possibly longer once a working visa comes through. 

New Plymouth Rangers pulled out of Federation League because of player depth + small consideration that other sides had pulled out + extended travel times due to Gabrielle wrecking a lot of road networks. 

But primarily we didn't have the playing quality to sustain a Federation campaign as well as a Taranaki Premiership campaign so have decided to build over the course of this season. Will hopefully be back in the Federation League next year.

Hope this helps.

YoungHeartHM

mrsmiis

Though this might be interesting for any Taranaki lads - Georg Niedermeier, ex-Bayern and Stuttgart CB and German youth international, has joined New Plymouth Rangers for the upcoming Fed Premier season. Might remember him from his season at Victory in 18/19. Still only 37

Done a little bit of digging for this.
His Mrs is from New Plymouth and he's here on a holiday visa, possibly longer once a working visa comes through. 

New Plymouth Rangers pulled out of Federation League because of player depth + small consideration that other sides had pulled out + extended travel times due to Gabrielle wrecking a lot of road networks. 

But primarily we didn't have the playing quality to sustain a Federation campaign as well as a Taranaki Premiership campaign so have decided to build over the course of this season. Will hopefully be back in the Federation League next year.

Hope this helps.

Men's Federation League is down to 5 teams this year with each team playing each other 4 times!   It will surely struggle to keep going at the rate it has been declining over the past 5 years or so. From Memory at its peak about 5 years ago had about 12 teams.  Player depth and the travel component appears to be a big barrier for a lot of clubs.  

Backheel

YoungHeartHM

mrsmiis

Though this might be interesting for any Taranaki lads - Georg Niedermeier, ex-Bayern and Stuttgart CB and German youth international, has joined New Plymouth Rangers for the upcoming Fed Premier season. Might remember him from his season at Victory in 18/19. Still only 37

Done a little bit of digging for this.
His Mrs is from New Plymouth and he's here on a holiday visa, possibly longer once a working visa comes through. 

New Plymouth Rangers pulled out of Federation League because of player depth + small consideration that other sides had pulled out + extended travel times due to Gabrielle wrecking a lot of road networks. 

But primarily we didn't have the playing quality to sustain a Federation campaign as well as a Taranaki Premiership campaign so have decided to build over the course of this season. Will hopefully be back in the Federation League next year.

Hope this helps.

Men's Federation League is down to 5 teams this year with each team playing each other 4 times!   It will surely struggle to keep going at the rate it has been declining over the past 5 years or so. From Memory at its peak about 5 years ago had about 12 teams.  Player depth and the travel component appears to be a big barrier for a lot of clubs.  

That's a real shame, sad to see. I suppose it's always gonna be hard to keep football pumping to the real rugby heartland areas.

Monto

Backheel

YoungHeartHM

mrsmiis

Though this might be interesting for any Taranaki lads - Georg Niedermeier, ex-Bayern and Stuttgart CB and German youth international, has joined New Plymouth Rangers for the upcoming Fed Premier season. Might remember him from his season at Victory in 18/19. Still only 37

Done a little bit of digging for this.
His Mrs is from New Plymouth and he's here on a holiday visa, possibly longer once a working visa comes through. 

New Plymouth Rangers pulled out of Federation League because of player depth + small consideration that other sides had pulled out + extended travel times due to Gabrielle wrecking a lot of road networks. 

But primarily we didn't have the playing quality to sustain a Federation campaign as well as a Taranaki Premiership campaign so have decided to build over the course of this season. Will hopefully be back in the Federation League next year.

Hope this helps.

Men's Federation League is down to 5 teams this year with each team playing each other 4 times!   It will surely struggle to keep going at the rate it has been declining over the past 5 years or so. From Memory at its peak about 5 years ago had about 12 teams.  Player depth and the travel component appears to be a big barrier for a lot of clubs.  

That's a real shame, sad to see. I suppose it's always gonna be hard to keep football pumping to the real rugby heartland areas.

Travel alone has to be a much bigger factor than anything to do with other sports.  New Plymouth to Gisborne is a full-day's drive and the trip to Napier isn't much better. These clubs can probably barely afford to have their first team not pay subs, let alone compensate them for all the time travelling. You had better be sure you're going to be competitive if you're asking for that kind of commitment. If NP Rangers wanted to play at a higher level they would probably be better off affiliating with WaiBOP. 

Monto

Backheel

YoungHeartHM

mrsmiis

Though this might be interesting for any Taranaki lads - Georg Niedermeier, ex-Bayern and Stuttgart CB and German youth international, has joined New Plymouth Rangers for the upcoming Fed Premier season. Might remember him from his season at Victory in 18/19. Still only 37

Done a little bit of digging for this.
His Mrs is from New Plymouth and he's here on a holiday visa, possibly longer once a working visa comes through. 

New Plymouth Rangers pulled out of Federation League because of player depth + small consideration that other sides had pulled out + extended travel times due to Gabrielle wrecking a lot of road networks. 

But primarily we didn't have the playing quality to sustain a Federation campaign as well as a Taranaki Premiership campaign so have decided to build over the course of this season. Will hopefully be back in the Federation League next year.

Hope this helps.

Men's Federation League is down to 5 teams this year with each team playing each other 4 times!   It will surely struggle to keep going at the rate it has been declining over the past 5 years or so. From Memory at its peak about 5 years ago had about 12 teams.  Player depth and the travel component appears to be a big barrier for a lot of clubs.  

That's a real shame, sad to see. I suppose it's always gonna be hard to keep football pumping to the real rugby heartland areas.

Well Rugby is not pumping in the Heartland areas. We have Rugby Clubs that are disappearing or going into recess. Some provinces in Rugby are down to a few teams. Buller down to 4 teams it used to be 3 before Reefton re-joined their competition. Featherston Rugby is gone, and facilities are now taken over by Football.  In the Wairarapa football is the dominant sport. What we need now is for NZ Football to come to the party but given their history they haven't a clue. There is only one thing preventing Football from becoming the National Game and that is NZ Football.

Probably the best place to put this https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/youre-too-small-manchester-citys-shattering-blow-to-new-napier-city-rovers-signing/YXUDCJWCSBCT7O2EWQ4HS25YQA/

Amazing that players prepared to move halfway around the world to play in an amateur league.

RR

Probably the best place to put this https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/youre-too-small-manchester-citys-shattering-blow-to-new-napier-city-rovers-signing/YXUDCJWCSBCT7O2EWQ4HS25YQA/

RR

Probably the best place to put this https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/youre-too-small-manchester-citys-shattering-blow-to-new-napier-city-rovers-signing/YXUDCJWCSBCT7O2EWQ4HS25YQA/

Interesting read. Marley Leuluai has also been let go by Man City at about the same age of 17-18. This guy is now playing Central League at 25. Being on a youth deal at a big UK club, ain't a guarantee of 'making it'.

Always good to see Napier developing their own local players

Reportsare

Always good to see Napier developing their own local players

Yip by bringing in average imports...

Building for next season. They’ve been doing that since Team Taranaki folded 7 years ago. 
Any kid in Taranaki that wants to go places in football should get out while they can.

Nobody drives to Gizzy, it’s always been fly, charter planes.
Yes Taranaki is a challenge, but it always has been. There was a day when there were multiple CL teams going to Gisborne, HBay, Wellington and even Nelson (also fly). But it seems nobody wants to make an effort to get what they want these days. Too many snowflakes on this rock wanting it all for nothing.
Waihopae ain’t the answer though; beyond that level you are up for Auckland and Tauranga trips. That’s possibly worse than Wellington, Palmy Wanganui HBay.

Just watched the weenix v olympic. The refereeing wasn’t great. Weenix behaviour is a little better on previous years but they are a petulant bunch of whingers. They constantly scream at the referee for decisions. Not a fan. 

Shambles

Just watched the weenix v olympic. The refereeing wasn’t great. Weenix behaviour is a little better on previous years but they are a petulant bunch of whingers. They constantly scream at the referee for decisions. Not a fan. 

Yeah I was getting the same vibe from them, really need to be put in their place some. It can only come from the coaching staff though, examples are set.

Though Olympic deserved the winner in the end but tbh they should've created more. Thought Watson was a little absent from the press, lacked energy.

This Perone v Wests game is crazy, goals at all ends. Proper central league entertainment.

Went down to watch Whanganui v North Wellington today. Good bloody turnout down Wembley which was nice to see. 

First half was a really tight affair, with Whanganui perhaps shading the chances and overall run of play. They were sucker punched after half an hour or so by a nice Okamura finish which stopped any home team momentum and was the precursor for Athletic fading away badly in the second half.

Despite the result, Melvin Rumere was really good for Athletic up top and switching between Left/Right Wing. Fast, technically very good and loved to take on the man which was pleasing to see - If he played a couple of more simple passes instead of risking turning over the ball and running into a tackle then he would be an absolute nightmare to go up against. As it was he gave North Wellington defenders a torrid time when he was in possession, and he turned more than a few inside out with quick feet. Faded out after about an hour or so, which was when Athletic really started to drift out of the contest as a whole.

Anto Okamura was bloody good value for North Wellington, especially in the second half when he managed to find acres of space against a tiring Whanganui outfit. He managed a double (1-0 & 3-0) and won the penalty for the 2nd. 

The moment of the match for mine was Okamura winning the penalty, and the actions immediately afterwards! After the penalty was awarded he went to grab the ball to put it on the spot. Tim Fenton then grabbed the ball off him and placed it on the spot himself causing Okamura some visible upset - He was gesturing that he won the penalty so he should take it, so he stood in front of the ball as a protest (😂) while Fenton was readying himself to line up and take it. In no uncertain terms it was imposed on him that he wouldn't be taking it, so he slunk off back to halfway without so much as even turning and looking at the penalty. Don't think I've seen that before, but it was certainly a good laugh!

Anyway, it finished 5-0 to North Wellington, probably no complaints at the final score to be fair. Although Whanganui will be disappointed that they let what was a nice tight contest for that first hour or so, eventually slip to such a heavy defeat.

WallyWilliams

Went to watch SO vs NCR on the weekend. SO are in for a very, very long season. Score line flattered them in the end as Napier missed a penalty and another half a dozen decent chances. 

SO struggled to have any decent possession and when they did they lost it far too easily, also very poorly disciplined and will struggle once they lose players to red cards and injuries as there didn't seem to be much depth off their bench. The two English lads Cunniff and Gaul pretty much spent the whole game gobbing off to the opposition, they'd be handy players if they could keep their mouths shut.

NCR looked decent but nothing spectacular, definitely showed their experience at this level though.

Hmm do you want to revise your prediction re Stop Out?

Shambles

Just watched the weenix v olympic. The refereeing wasn’t great. Weenix behaviour is a little better on previous years but they are a petulant bunch of whingers. They constantly scream at the referee for decisions. Not a fan. 

Only have to look at the way their coaches behave to understand that behaviour. Greenacre admittedly is better/more behaved than he was last year but Coleman will never change his stripes. 

ChopperNZ

Shambles

Just watched the weenix v olympic. The refereeing wasn’t great. Weenix behaviour is a little better on previous years but they are a petulant bunch of whingers. They constantly scream at the referee for decisions. Not a fan. 

Only have to look at the way their coaches behave to understand that behaviour. Greenacre admittedly is better/more behaved than he was last year but Coleman will never change his stripes. 

Coleman strikes me as a Boy Scout coach, all badges no clue. To be fair the only reason I say that is I don’t like the way he holds himself on the sideline. He could be the next Pep for all I know but if I don’t like the guy he can’t even eat a sandwich right in my mind 😂 

whatever

WallyWilliams

Went to watch SO vs NCR on the weekend. SO are in for a very, very long season. Score line flattered them in the end as Napier missed a penalty and another half a dozen decent chances. 

SO struggled to have any decent possession and when they did they lost it far too easily, also very poorly disciplined and will struggle once they lose players to red cards and injuries as there didn't seem to be much depth off their bench. The two English lads Cunniff and Gaul pretty much spent the whole game gobbing off to the opposition, they'd be handy players if they could keep their mouths shut.

NCR looked decent but nothing spectacular, definitely showed their experience at this level though.

Hmm do you want to revise your prediction re Stop Out?

I'd give it a couple of more games, was a good come back by Stop Out on Saturday, but honestly it was a game that Waterside lost. They had several chances to close the game off but didn't take them. Keeper gave away a stupid pen, panicked and took down Stop Out player running away from goal, which  Stop Out scored with last kick off the game.

anyway I also took some photos click here if your interested

ClubOranje

mrsmiis

Though this might be interesting for any Taranaki lads - Georg Niedermeier, ex-Bayern and Stuttgart CB and German youth international, has joined New Plymouth Rangers for the upcoming Fed Premier season. Might remember him from his season at Victory in 18/19. Still only 37

Funny club to join for the Fed season.
NPR don’t seem to be playing in it!

5BACB6F1-0DA9-4A82-AFF0-3F344EB6A721.jpeg 384.43 KB

Football is dead in Taranaki. Even the Taranaki Premier League only has 6 teams.

Too many small clubs, none of whom have great facilities or are particularly well resourced.

Kind of thing that NZF needs to support more, like they have for plenty of women's football leagues and South Island footy. 

Ultimately the fed league is a greater part of the National League system, and it struggling doesn't reflect well on the Central League. 

lthomas20

Kind of thing that NZF needs to support more, like they have for plenty of women's football leagues and South Island footy. 

Ultimately the fed league is a greater part of the National League system, and it struggling doesn't reflect well on the Central League. 

Bit of a stretch

ChopperNZ

Shambles

Just watched the weenix v olympic. The refereeing wasn’t great. Weenix behaviour is a little better on previous years but they are a petulant bunch of whingers. They constantly scream at the referee for decisions. Not a fan. 

Only have to look at the way their coaches behave to understand that behaviour. Greenacre admittedly is better/more behaved than he was last year but Coleman will never change his stripes. 

 Agree that coaches do not set a great example but do you seriously believe their players are any more petulant than the likes of Olympic, Stop-Out, Miramar etc? Bit of a case of guilty by association in my book...most of their players just get on with it but as always you will have a few exceptions!

JUSTSAYING

ChopperNZ

Shambles

Just watched the weenix v olympic. The refereeing wasn’t great. Weenix behaviour is a little better on previous years but they are a petulant bunch of whingers. They constantly scream at the referee for decisions. Not a fan. 

Only have to look at the way their coaches behave to understand that behaviour. Greenacre admittedly is better/more behaved than he was last year but Coleman will never change his stripes. 

 Agree that coaches do not set a great example but do you seriously believe their players are any more petulant than the likes of Olympic, Stop-Out, Miramar etc? Bit of a case of guilty by association in my book...most of their players just get on with it but as always you will have a few exceptions!

I’ve followed a lot of teams around Wellington for 10 years plus and the current Olympic and Miramar teams aren’t nearly as dissenting as 10 years ago. 

The weenix constantly harass the refs to give fouls and book opposition players. Then when they foul players they dive to the ground too to play the victim. 

There aren’t any teams that don’t have vocal players but the attitude I’ve seen at the weenix over the last 3 seasons has been pretty petulant.

JUSTSAYING

ChopperNZ

Shambles

Just watched the weenix v olympic. The refereeing wasn’t great. Weenix behaviour is a little better on previous years but they are a petulant bunch of whingers. They constantly scream at the referee for decisions. Not a fan. 

Only have to look at the way their coaches behave to understand that behaviour. Greenacre admittedly is better/more behaved than he was last year but Coleman will never change his stripes. 

 Agree that coaches do not set a great example but do you seriously believe their players are any more petulant than the likes of Olympic, Stop-Out, Miramar etc? Bit of a case of guilty by association in my book...most of their players just get on with it but as always you will have a few exceptions!

I guess it's just that you maybe expect a little more out of a professional outfit like the Nix, these players are representing them after all.

Bit yes, the other teams can be just as stripey at times.

Watching the Phoenix women's reserves atm and they're almost as stroppy as the men, so I can definitely say it's a phoenix thing.

Monto

Watching the Phoenix women's reserves atm and they're almost as stroppy as the men, so I can definitely say it's a phoenix thing.

Did they all have the fake English accents too? All their kids develop English accents to fit in with the cool kids

Shambles

Monto

Watching the Phoenix women's reserves atm and they're almost as stroppy as the men, so I can definitely say it's a phoenix thing.

Did they all have the fake English accents too? All their kids develop English accents to fit in with the cool kids

I can't say I noticed any, the coaches all had them, most likely genuine though.

Alright geeeeza! Phoenix Academy becoming a cult. Let them be in their own bubble. Coaches and players barely kick on. If anything it keeps the league interesting...looking forward to watching a game boil over. Someone will not tolerate them in the middle of winter. 

Showtime Nixie

Alright geeeeza! Phoenix Academy becoming a cult. Let them be in their own bubble. Coaches and players barely kick on. If anything it keeps the league interesting...looking forward to watching a game boil over. Someone will not tolerate them in the middle of winter. 

I mean I did enjoy Ben Mata just about face slamming one of the pipsqueaks into the turf at Avalon, was pretty funny. 

whats the Mata with that though....all for it Geeza

Quite the donation from Rodney Green. Great stuff for Football in the region. 
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/raising-the-roof-businessman-shells-out-half-a-million-dollars-for-special-50th-birthday-gift/5C3LQZHTFJB33DFBQKP4KGJCXM/

Monto

Showtime Nixie

Alright geeeeza! Phoenix Academy becoming a cult. Let them be in their own bubble. Coaches and players barely kick on. If anything it keeps the league interesting...looking forward to watching a game boil over. Someone will not tolerate them in the middle of winter. 

I mean I did enjoy Ben Mata just about face slamming one of the pipsqueaks into the turf at Avalon, was pretty funny. 

I did watch the Nix Academy v Wainui last Saturday and it was Wainui who did not cover themselves with glory. Not only was the performance poor as the score indicates 1-11 but their abusive attitude including their coach was crap.

Headed up to Alex Moore yesterday to catch the Phoenix Res v NW game. Impressed by the referee showing good player management to take aside a couple of players to have a chat and cool them down when necessary and he was well placed to make a call on two challenges in the penalty area (-> pk's). Nix bossed the game, early goal, 70% possession and well disciplined (perhaps getting ahead after 5min helped, no 'embellishments' from physical challenges) against a NW team which struggled to put much together (although the Weenix keeper made two smart saves, actually NW keeper did too, so 4-0 could have more for both). Noah Karunaratne came on for the last 20mins or so and was in a different class to everyone else, admittedly the game was locked up and NW defence is not the strongest he will face but he looked sharp. For NW, Okamura up front worked hard but lacked support in attack.
CL through 5 games already looking likely the current top4 (Oly, Nix, Wests & Mir) are set, with Napier, StopOut & Petone chasing 4th place at best if the top quartet have any squad depth issues later & WKarori, NW & Whanganui scrapping out enough points to stay out of 10th. 

rastes

Headed up to Alex Moore yesterday to catch the Phoenix Res v NW game. Impressed by the referee showing good player management to take aside a couple of players to have a chat and cool them down when necessary and he was well placed to make a call on two challenges in the penalty area (-> pk's). Nix bossed the game, early goal, 70% possession and well disciplined (perhaps getting ahead after 5min helped, no 'embellishments' from physical challenges) against a NW team which struggled to put much together (although the Weenix keeper made two smart saves, actually NW keeper did too, so 4-0 could have more for both). Noah Karunaratne came on for the last 20mins or so and was in a different class to everyone else, admittedly the game was locked up and NW defence is not the strongest he will face but he looked sharp. For NW, Okamura up front worked hard but lacked support in attack.
CL through 5 games already looking likely the current top4 (Oly, Nix, Wests & Mir) are set, with Napier, StopOut & Petone chasing 4th place at best if the top quartet have any squad depth issues later & WKarori, NW & Whanganui scrapping out enough points to stay out of 10th. 

WPX about to lose a good chunk of their squad to U20 WC which will test their depth, but that actually doesn’t help the chasing pack as only top 3 (+WPX) get National League.