National League History Thread

Southern Trust became the sponsor for the National League when I think Ansett folded. In later times NZ Community Trust was involved.

Bluebird was solely a regional league sponsor - used to sponsor all three. Northern League also had Country Foods (of yoghurt fame)  and Hertz sponsored Central and Southern - lots of van hire in both these leagues.

As far as clubs go then there was DB Spats Wellington (Spats a nightclub owned by Ray Johns) and Miramar also had sponsors by Arena (Ray Johns nightclub) and Pines (restaurant in Houghton Bay). Dunedin City sponsored by 4ZB .Hamilton by Zelos (no idea who they were !). Plenty of others but a lot were one season wonders which i think is why NZFA didn't really like it. The National Mutual / Miramar relationship was I think the longest at 9 years.

Colombus Waterside (Karori). Quite an interesting story that one 

for the longest not sure if thats right National Mutal were a long term sponsor but I think Hanimex were involved ion North Shore for longer also the DB one with WDU and then Wellington United was a pretty long one (and very lucrative about $65k a year!) Spats got involved as they sponsored Wellington City and when they merged they got naming rights - DB weren't too happy about it though as Spats only put in about $10k, Ray Johns eventually decamped to Mar when Barrie Truman moved and Arena replaced Spats, DB stuck with Wellington United until the Superclub years

Others I can remember (that haven't been mentioned)

Southmall Manurewa, oh and also Magic Carpets Manurewa - I remember that because I went to a game in 1986 that was DB Spats Wellington City Diamond United v Magic Carpets Manurewa - that long name was definitely more memorable than the game!

Landbase Papatoetoe

4XO were Dunedin City sponsors at one stage

University Cowan

Rolle Hutt Valley United

NZ Permanent Gisborne City

here's a visual representation.... from www.nationalleaguedebates.weebly.com

DB Wellington City

Masport Mt Wellington I used to watch as a kid.  Could have been Real Madrid in my eyes.  

Arena Miramar Rangers

Colonial Mutual Waikato

Columbus Waterside Karori

DB Draught Wellington (1988 was DB Spats Wellington)

Enterprise Cars Gisborne City

Maurice Kain North Shore

Pony Sports Waitakere

Prudential Mt Maunganui

Synfuel New Plymouth

Watties Napier City

Wiri Timber Manurewa

Did Invercargill have a year or two in National League?

Invercargill Thistle played in the league for 1 season in 1982, they signed Bobby Almond but due to All White's games he only ended up playing about 6 games for them

They finished bottom and were relegated along with East Coast Bays and Hamilton

The mighty Leopard United from Hastings

Whatever happened to Leopard United ? Played in the Hawkes Bay for a while - Hastings teams were Hibs St John , Maycenvale and Western Rangers from memory. Speaking of Hawkes Bay - Napier CR had Watties , Bay City and Medallion as naming sponsors from memory

Leopard United formed in 1970 by merger of Shamrock & Hastings United (who were known as Hastings Leopard in 68-69)

Name changed to Hastings City in 1976, presumably after losing sponsorship of Leopard Brewery

folded in 1980

Can you still buy Leopard Beer?

Don't think you can still buy Leopard. One of the worst beers ever made. Went to a one day Cricket international at McLean Park in the 1980's and the only beer available was Leopard Paw Lager. Think they were trying to quit surplus stocks. Mid afternoon headache ensued. Some great nights at the Leopard Tavern on Marine Parade though.Played with a few guys at Taradale that played for Leopard in it's Central League days

Possibly a result of the DB Brewery strike of 1984 or 1985.

Yeah - Doug and John Stok .Mid 1980's or thereabouts,

Brave Brewery in Hastings is on the site opposite the old Leopard brewery.

Medallion was a small goods (Ham/Bacon) company- i think local mover and shaker Rodney Green (Bluewater Hotels) was involved> medallion brand is now used for a high end pet food company in Waipukurau

#EconomicDevelopment Update from the provinces

Music World New Brighton was another. 

Caused a bit off a stir as they provided the 1st Team with a new adidas strip as it was black (including shorts) and yellow (strips) rather than Brighton traditional yellow and black, this was in the days that match officials (or as they were called then - the referee and lineo's) only had black kits. 

If I recall correctly there was one game were the match officials turned out in white but the black strip was not used too often. 

Here is a link about Music World and the director Houghton 'The Hustler' Hughes, another of the great characters involved in the game in the 1970's and 80's: 

https://www.audioculture.co.nz/labels/music-world

My dad was the coach of Trans Tours United back in the 70s', Terry Conley. I remember going to QEII in the mid 80's to watch Chch Utd when they won the National League in 87 & 88.. and I think in 90 if memory serves...

don’t forget his time at Blockhouse Bay (although he might want to)

Terry Conley - definitely no track suit Manager. Suit and leather trenchcoat was his standard attire. Quite abrasive but successful (apart from the one year at Blockhouse Bay). National league coachs in those days had real personalities - Armstrong , Fallon , Conley ,Ormond  to name a few. Often as much entertainment watching them as the game

Trying to think of some more...

Wickliffe Press Dunedin City

Say When Nelson United

Prudential Mount Maunganui

3ZB Christchurch United

has Child Freighters United already been mentioned?

Christchurch United had a few, as already mentioned 3ZB Christchurch United, as well as Trans Tours United and last one was Linwood City United - a shopping mall in Christchurch.

Was that Manawatu?

Yip, Manawatu

I think Invercargill had a team in for one season

you asked the same question about this time last year :-)

And look at us now, with the name still fresh in our minds 100 years later

Great, timeless marketing

I think you've already covered the ones I remember, except I always think of Christchurch United with Mogal in their name.