Central League 2026

127 replies · 9,840 views
about 2 months ago
I am coming down from Auckland for the Derby on Saturday.

Does anyone have any intel on preseason fixtures Thursday, Friday,or Saturday?

Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.


Phoenix fans. We have to win them over one fan at a time.

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about 2 months ago
Not sure the timings are quite right - my info is that the Karori / IBU game is a 2pm KO on saturday.
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Endorsed by
bwtcf
about 2 months ago
Awesome, thanks. Maidstone at midday Saturday might be the go for Wests v Nix
zonknz
bwtcf
I am coming down from Auckland for the Derby on Saturday.

Does anyone have any intel on preseason fixtures Thursday, Friday,or Saturday?
https://www.petonefootball.org.nz/hilton-petone-cup


Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.


Phoenix fans. We have to win them over one fan at a time.

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about 2 months ago
bwtcf
Awesome, thanks. Maidstone at midday Saturday might be the go for Wests v Nix
zonknz
bwtcf
I am coming down from Auckland for the Derby on Saturday.

Does anyone have any intel on preseason fixtures Thursday, Friday,or Saturday?
https://www.petonefootball.org.nz/hilton-petone-cup



That game is at petone memorial, not maidstone!
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Endorsed by
bwtcf
about 2 months ago
Great catch! Petone Memorial is slightly easier to get to from Tawa than Upper Hutt.

And closer to the Tin too.

Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.


Phoenix fans. We have to win them over one fan at a time.

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Endorsed by
Simon B
about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History
Petone 1sts welcome Nelson Suburbs to town, 7pm Friday 20th at Petone Memorial, then Suburbs back up on the Saturday, 2pm at Fraser Park vs WeeNix with an U18 curtain raiser.

Olympic inter-squad friendly at the same time Friday night at Martin Luckie maybe of less interest but more accessible?

Valley FC til I die?

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Endorsed by
Th
about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History
Tyler
I’ve heard that FC Western have signed a number of Americans….5 maybe. 

Puts to bed them pulling out of central league!
Names I've found for guys coming to the Naki in 2026.

Alfonso Porras 
Evan Walters
Ilias El Makkoul (Whanganui Athletic in 2025)

Will keep on digging around and see what else I can turn up.
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Endorsed by
hoThTyler
about 2 months ago · edited about 2 months ago · History
Tough start for Western - three trips to Wellington first up and then the first home game is Wellington Olympic in week four.
Screenshot_20260224_123149_Samsung Notes.jpg 503.27 KB

Some shark spelling mistakes in there - FV Western, Lunmouth Park...

I am secretly hoping they'll move one of the games to Stadium Taranaki, which they managed to do last year for a CL2 match. It would be far easier to broadcast a game live through FIFA + too if that were the case.

That and I could just walk down the road to get there as well. 🙂
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Endorsed by
Half a PintSouthernixTyler
about 1 month ago
Anyone been watching Hilton Petone? Who's looking strong/weak? Early season predictions?
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about 1 month ago
Miramar the only team with three wins but Olympic rolled out some under 19s in the first game vs Tawa. 

Petone and Upper Hutt looked OK. Dont think Upper Hutt looked as good as last season. 

Phoenix beat wests who comfortably beat IBU and Karori.

So……anyone’s game 😂 I’m sure the usual suspects up top. Maybe Karori looking the worst down bottom
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about 1 month ago · edited about 1 month ago · History
Sorry if it's been covered already. Getting so many forbidden errors when I try click on threads its hard to know who's said what.

Anyway, WeeNix departures.

Luke Flowerdew to Auckland United
Ryan Watson to Western Springs

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26 days ago
great to have the site back up and running.... Thanks all who are working on it.


Hilton Final tomorrow Wests vs WeeNix


Any news we've missed whilst the site was down?
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24 days ago · edited 24 days ago · History
Big weekend ahead!

Miramar vs Olympic. Probably Wellingtons biggest derby between two strong teams with big aspirations. New coaches for both but surely Olympic are favourites.

Phoenix vs FC western. New boys vs young boys. I’m picking Phoenix to win this reasonably easily.

Petone vs Upper Hutt. Could be interesting. Both with untested coaches. Upper Hutt have a baby as a coach. I reckon Petone edge this one.

IBU vs Wharf. Probably a game close to the bottom of the table. Wharf have had some very poor results pre-season so I’ll go with IBU.

Wests vs Napier. Massive clash for two teams with eyes on national league 2027. Supposedly Napier have imported 10 players and plenty of changes at wests too. I’ll go Wests
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Endorsed by
FeverishNoah4thenixThzonknz
22 days ago
For the 2026 season, there will be no relegation from MCL, MCL2 or WCL.
Promotion processes for the 2027 season will be determined following the
completion of the Central Leagues Consultation scheduled for 2026.
12.3 MCL2 Promotion and relegation is outlined below:
12.3.1 Relegation from NZF Men’s Central League:
a There is no relegation in 2026 seaosn due to introduction of new National
League structures.
b In all other years, The last-placed team from the Men’s Central League will be
relegated to Men’s Central League 2.
c If a team withdraws from the NZF Men’s Central League before a new season
the position will be offered to the relegated team from the previous season
before any additional promotions are made.

12.3.2 Promotion into NZF Men’s Central League:
a At the completion of MCL2 the top four, or five teams (depending on the
National League Play Off winner) will be promoted to the NZF Men’s Central
League.
b Promotion to the NZF Men’s Central League is also dependent on NZF Club
Licensing.
12.3.3 Relegation from MCL2
a There is no relegation in 2026 seaosn due to introduction of new National
League structures.
b In all other years, The last-placed team from MCL2 will be relegated to the
relevant Federation competition.
c If a team withdraws from MCL2 before a new season and the club is unable to
fill the spot, the position will be offered to the loser of the MCL2 playoff and 
then the relegated team from the previous season before any additional
promotions are made.
12.3.4 Promotion into NZF Men’s Central League 2:
a Promotion into MCL2 will be determined following the completion of the
Central Leagues Consultation scheduled for 2026.
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Endorsed by
mrNoah4thenixSouthernixTh+1
22 days ago
Olympic made a post annoucing the signing of Jack Julian which on instagram at least has garnered a bit of a negative reaction. Is there a story behind Jack?
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21 days ago
Where did you get the gossip about no relegation? That will be a massive relief for a few clubs
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21 days ago
Tyler wrote:
Where did you get the gossip about no relegation? That will be a massive relief for a few clubs
With the new National League coming in, 4 maybe 5 clubs will be going up, and then 4 maybe 5 up from CL2. Doesn't make sense to relegate 10th place of CL if they'll be replaced by 5th place in CL2
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Endorsed by
Southernix
21 days ago · edited 21 days ago · History
I can’t see the written but in the regs (but do get bored easily). 


Assumed there wouldn’t be relegation but hadn’t heard officially 
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21 days ago
Noah4thenix wrote:
Olympic made a post annoucing the signing of Jack Julian which on instagram at least has garnered a bit of a negative reaction. Is there a story behind Jack?
I Think they are his mates having a laugh.
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21 days ago
Tyler wrote:
I can’t see the written but in the regs (but do get bored easily). 


Assumed there wouldn’t be relegation but hadn’t heard officially 

Apologies - link update to point the correct CL2/WCL regs.
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21 days ago
zonknz wrote:
 Tyler wrote:
I can’t see the written but in the regs (but do get bored easily). 


Assumed there wouldn’t be relegation but hadn’t heard officially 

Apologies - link update to point the correct CL2/WCL regs.
Thanks mate. All CL coaches can have a year off 
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21 days ago · edited 21 days ago · History
From the Taranaki Daily News today.
Probably a good thing we're away for the first three weeks after all the rain we've had today as well. 😂

FC Western nets debut in Central League this weekend
For the first time since 1992, a Taranaki football club is back on the national stage with New Plymouth’s FC Western set to play their first Central League match this weekend.

And it’s going to be a tough one. They will travel to Hutt Valley to play the Wellington Phoenix Academy, a side which came fourth in the league last year. While, Team Taranaki, a composite side, spent one season in the Central League in 2017, FC Western is the first club to have a side in the division since New Plymouth Old Boys in 1992.

Spencer Salt, who coaches the side with Josh Dobson, said the club’s rise had been years in the making, fuelled by higher standards and belief that helped the team progress through the regional ranks and claim the Central League 2 title last year.

“We were close to winning things locally, but once we started taking everything more seriously, analysis, preparation, all of it, that’s when things changed,” he said. However, moving into a stronger competition meant increased travel, costs and extra commitments for its players, with only a handful remaining from last year’s squad.
FC Western had joined the Federation League before it was replaced by Central League 2 last year, where they won the competition to secure promotion to the higher league for this year.

Ahead of the season, Salt was realistic about expectations, with the club set to play 18 matches, nine home and nine away, against some of the strongest amateur clubs in the central North Island.

At the end of the season, the top three clubs, along with the Phoenix Academy team, earn entry into the national league, the equivalent to rugby’s NPC. For FC Western, that goal was still a long way off.

“We don’t want to finish bottom, but it’s more about how we perform and how we grow into the level. It’s a big step up, so it’s about improving each week,” Salt said.
Beyond the results, he said the promotion was about building a long-term pathway for Taranaki players, who had traditionally left the region to pursue higher honours.

Club president Luke Stancliffe-White said there were initial hesitations about joining the league because of the added financial and logistical challenges for what was a traditionally low-resourced club.

Travel costs, including regular overnight trips out of the province, along with league fees and general operations stretched the club’s resources.

“We’re a volunteer-run club trying to compete at a national level, so every bit of funding, every sponsor and every home game matters,” he said.
“It’s a big step up financially. But we knew if we didn’t take the opportunity, the pathway might close.”
Despite playing a few games at Stadium Taranaki, he said home ground Lynmouth Park could become a fortress.

The club is genuine grassroots, with smaller changing rooms and facilities and a less manicured pitch that visiting teams are not used to.

“It’s really funny seeing teams come here and see the surface and the changing rooms, seeing that reaction. It’s quite a psychological benefit to playing here, this is our home ground.”

Whether their Central League journey is short-lived or the start of something bigger, club captain Matt Scott said it was a moment the region should get behind.

With games streamed on FIFA+ and TVNZ, the league had already gained a large following in Asia, which could attract more sponsors, he said.

“It’s a huge opportunity, not just for us, but for football in Taranaki,” he said.

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Endorsed by
LT01
21 days ago · edited 21 days ago · History
So some sports gambler in Jakarta has a better understanding than Feverish of where FC Western come from. Cue the death threats if they actually win too many games.

The Naki for 3 years was home for me, so hope they go well.

Though I don't think a possible goat track pitch is anything to be celebrated when the CL, is basically part of the NL and a major pathway in developing the next cohort of up & coming young NZ talent.
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21 days ago
coochiee wrote:
So some sports gambler in Jakarta has a better understanding than Feverish of where FC Western come from. Cue the death threats if they actually win too many games.

The Naki for 3 years was home for me, so hope they go well.

Though I don't think a possible goat track pitch is anything to be celebrated when the CL, is basically part of the NL and a major pathway in developing the next cohort of up & coming young NZ talent.
Ground is not that bad, but it's no carpet. It's a swamp if it rains consistently/heavily as the surrounding embankments funnel water drainage down to one half of the main pitch.

Really hope there's at least one game taken to the stadium though. 🤞


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Endorsed by
coochiee
21 days ago
Tyler wrote:
 zonknz wrote:
 Tyler wrote:
I can’t see the written but in the regs (but do get bored easily). 


Assumed there wouldn’t be relegation but hadn’t heard officially 

Apologies - link update to point the correct CL2/WCL regs.
Thanks mate. All CL coaches can have a year off 
Not sure this is quite true for Mar, NCR and Wests....
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Endorsed by
Tyler
20 days ago
YoungHeartHM wrote:
 coochiee wrote:
So some sports gambler in Jakarta has a better understanding than Feverish of where FC Western come from. Cue the death threats if they actually win too many games.

The Naki for 3 years was home for me, so hope they go well.

Though I don't think a possible goat track pitch is anything to be celebrated when the CL, is basically part of the NL and a major pathway in developing the next cohort of up & coming young NZ talent.
Ground is not that bad, but it's no carpet. It's a swamp if it rains consistently/heavily as the surrounding embankments funnel water drainage down to one half of the main pitch.

Really hope there's at least one game taken to the stadium though. 🤞



That slope in the corner close to the carpark is awful though lol. And everyone in the bar being able to see you shower in the away changing rooms 😂
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Endorsed by
YoungHeartHM
20 days ago · edited 20 days ago · History
hotchips wrote:
 YoungHeartHM wrote:
 coochiee wrote:
So some sports gambler in Jakarta has a better understanding than Feverish of where FC Western come from. Cue the death threats if they actually win too many games.

The Naki for 3 years was home for me, so hope they go well.

Though I don't think a possible goat track pitch is anything to be celebrated when the CL, is basically part of the NL and a major pathway in developing the next cohort of up & coming young NZ talent.
Ground is not that bad, but it's no carpet. It's a swamp if it rains consistently/heavily as the surrounding embankments funnel water drainage down to one half of the main pitch.

Really hope there's at least one game taken to the stadium though. 🤞



 
That slope in the corner close to the carpark is awful though lol. And everyone in the bar being able to see you shower in the away changing rooms 😂
Home ground advantage. 😜

I am however very happy that the region will be represented at this level. It's been far too long between drinks.
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20 days ago · edited 20 days ago · History
 
Fixture Update 🚨
 
The match between WPX Reserves and FC Western has been postponed.
 
The game will now be played later in the season, with NZF and Capital Football working alongside both clubs to confirm a new date.
 
Further details will be shared once confirmed. pic.twitter.com/inUFzxsPtE
— NZ National League 🏆🇳🇿 (@nzleagues) March 27, 2026 

Goddammit, was really looking forward to this one to start the Central League season. 🥲
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20 days ago
Olympic have announced 11 signings in 5 days, won't be long until half of Wellington is on the clubs books
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Endorsed by
Southernix
20 days ago
YoungHeartHM wrote:
https://twitter.com/i/status/2037326157662859481
Fixture Update 🚨

The match between WPX Reserves and FC Western has been postponed.

The game will now be played later in the season, with NZF and Capital Football working alongside both clubs to confirm a new date.

Further details will be shared once confirmed. pic.twitter.com/inUFzxsPtE
— NZ National League 🏆🇳🇿 (@nzleagues) March 27, 2026 

Goddammit, was really looking forward to this one to start the Central League season. 🥲
Does anyone know why?
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20 days ago
NCR have signed a 29yr old Englishman Callum Cooke who has over 200 apps in England's League 1 and 2. 
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20 days ago
bigfudge wrote:
 YoungHeartHM wrote:
 https://twitter.com/i/status/2037326157662859481
Fixture Update 🚨

The match between WPX Reserves and FC Western has been postponed.

The game will now be played later in the season, with NZF and Capital Football working alongside both clubs to confirm a new date.

Further details will be shared once confirmed. pic.twitter.com/inUFzxsPtE
— NZ National League 🏆🇳🇿 (@nzleagues) March 27, 2026 

Goddammit, was really looking forward to this one to start the Central League season. 🥲
Does anyone know why?

Death of a senior club official at FC Western.
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Endorsed by
biNoah4thenixSouthernixYoungHeartHM
19 days ago
https://x.com/i/status/2037632993905541400
A good rundown of this weekends games in the Central League.

And my wishes have been granted. About 4.30 into that recording, FC Western are taking two games up the road from Lynmouth Park to Stadium Taranaki - Upper Hutt City on May 17th, and Waterside Karori on July 19th. 


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19 days ago
IBU over Karori
UH over Petone
Miramar over Olympic

Intriguing
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19 days ago
observerfromuh wrote:
IBU over Karori
UH over Petone
Miramar over Olympic

Intriguing
Miramar and Olympic was 1-1
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19 days ago
Themooseman wrote:
 observerfromuh wrote:
IBU over Karori
UH over Petone
Miramar over Olympic

Intriguing
Miramar and Olympic was 1-1
ok last time I trust the cap football site on game day.
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19 days ago
observerfromuh wrote:
 Themooseman wrote:
 observerfromuh wrote:
IBU over Karori
UH over Petone
Miramar over Olympic

Intriguing
Miramar and Olympic was 1-1
ok last time I trust the cap football site on game day.
You should use tribe mate. It gives up to date scorelines (sometimes. Some games it only gives it once it's done) and let's you track a number of leagues
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19 days ago
Noah4thenix wrote:
 observerfromuh wrote:
 Themooseman wrote:
 observerfromuh wrote:
IBU over Karori
UH over Petone
Miramar over Olympic

Intriguing
Miramar and Olympic was 1-1
ok last time I trust the cap football site on game day.
You should use tribe mate. It gives up to date scorelines (sometimes. Some games it only gives it once it's done) and let's you track a number of leagues

Tribe has the wrong score as well, says Miramar won 2-0, when it was definitely 1-1 - I was there!

https://thejourneyfan.blogspot.co.nz/

New Zealand Football Media Association Website of the year 2015 & 2016

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