Mainland Premier League

Talk going around that ChCh United in talks to merge with another club and still want to retain their name. For the younger posters out there Christchurch United was orginially formed out of four existing clubs in the city  - ChCh City, ChCh Technical, Rangers and Shamrock, in the late 1960's to contest the old 'National League'. 

FC2011

Whilst it would be sad to see a club with their long history merge with Chch Utd it's the logical step.

Why does this not surprise me? Gives them automatic step into MPL without having to go the right way about it on the pitch, something they have failed to do once again this season! Cop out

Absolutely - still living on their glories of 20+ years ago (but what teams they had under Conley & Marshall) when they were effectively what Canterbury Utd are today. They would probably be toast by now if not for their marriage of mutual convenience with their benevolent benefactor.

No way. Surely it's April Fools?

You'd wonder what's in it for FC2011 and why they would consider it (again).

Yes, Glen has done a great job getting out of CCL and improving from there, but what has FC2011 done developing players? Left all the coach ed to Mainland. Unlike Selwyn, ChCh United and Tech they have made no progress towards a CY licence, instead sending their talent off to Mainland's FTC which everyone knows is to be phased out.

So with a CY licence becoming a requirement for Southern League, merger may well be the soft option for their volunteers.

Ultimately their membership will decide but as you say will mean a few clubs playing amongst themselves.   

I kinda like the sound of Christchurch Shamrock Technical City Rangers Burnside Riccarton Avon Utd 2011 2017 FC.  

It has a certain ring to it. 

Rearrange the order and you could call them CRABCAST 2011-17 United FC

Updated table:

If Western were to be relegated, is that the beginning of the end for the club, despite their long and proud history? Cannot see them fighting back in the short term to be honest. Merger? Swallowed up into West Chch United FC Twente perhaps?

I think it would be good for the league if Western got relegated we would get rid of a team with no grass pitch to play on.

Mind I reckon if Western go down we will see Mainland pull something out of the backsides and state an expanded league format to take in the SI league plus other clubs eg Western.

SI league looking a no show with Cavy spanking Queenstown 7-1 last weekend.

What's the point in just having Cavy play with the Mainland teams.

Of course, far more sensible to merge with the neighbours. Who do Spreydon and Hoon hay kids play for these days? Chch Utd just happened to be a very convenient vehicle for Slava. Whilst I'm an advocate of slicker ambitious better performing clubs (as long as the Board has a considered strategic plan that takes their community and members into account and they don't act like silly buggers spending money irresponsibly), I do worry about 2 issues. 1. Looking after the base of the player pyramid so that future elite players and future park social players alike, can develop in adequate numbers to sustain a club; 2. A private owner model where, when push comes to shove, one persons money makes the decision. 

Like an Eastern Western?

The beginning of the end was 5-7 years back when they abandoned any pretence of Junior/Youth Development. 

Be a damn shame if Coastal repeated the same mistake eh lads...

Any community based club in any code needs to put energy into its junior player base. It's the future of the club - players, volunteers, coaches, refs, administrators, managers, sponsors, board and committees etc. but I guess that is the Jacinda approach to sustaining and growing a football club. I guess we will see if other approaches can work long term. 

Hey guys, back with a recap from the Selwyn vs CUFC game if anyone is interested.

http://mainlandanalyst.com/2017/08/03/selwyn-2-vs-...

*Apologies in advance if I got any of the names wrong. Had to source these myself due to their being no match day programs in the qualifying leagues. 

Nice work!  There is an online program - but that one for Tuesday didnt have the line ups so you did pretty well.  Underdown left mid season and Busson didn't get on.  Jack Henderson was your man in the backline while Joe Arnott came on near the end and secured the win.

Thanks for the help! I think I have fixed it now

News coming out of Dunedin that there is not going to be South Island Football Championship Final this season (play-off between the winner's of the FootballSouth and Mainland Premier League).

Hope this is not the case, if so will be interesting to hear what the reason is considering all thr positive talk about some form of a South Island League in 2018.

Is Mainland's turn to host the SIFC this season.   

Think it is Football South's turn to host, AW82 - Caversham won it at English Park last year?

Yes you are correct Steptoe, on the venue for this year and your other points as well.

Cannot believe Mainland Football has been called out on saying one thing to one party and the diametrical opposite to another. 

and here is the problem. 2 national premier league "clubs" and their federation owners have conflicting interests because they are each essentially one and the same. I know the history but with Slava in the mix now I wonder if a better NPL club could be run 'privately' than canty united? 

people actually care about the sifc? 

anyway, we already had it, on july 15 (or 16, i can't remember which)

Huge game this coming Saturday for the relegation battle:

Universities vs. Western 

Cashmere Technical vs Coastal Spirit

Nomads vs. FC Twenty11

and on Sunday

Nelson Suburbs vs. Ferrymead Bays 

I hear meeting being held early this week on the future of the FC Twenty11 / ChCh United 'merger'. 

Some big decissions ahead for all involved. 

'Merger' like Crimea was annexed? Or fctwenty board just happy to pass all the responsibility on to Slava and Co.? 

Its happening. Well I'd be shocked if it didn't. 

It is a two way conversation.

It just IME when there is an enormous economic gap between two parties the wealthier one tends to get a good deal. 

Nothing on either club's websites or Facebook about it, I guess it's just between the two boards at this point? Will the members get a say in it?

Is Slava from the glasnost school? 

Seriously though, who are the legal entities involved here? Presumably Christchurch Football Academy is not a party to the merger, and merely a privately owned facility? The Academy won't have members.

ChCh United's alteration of constitution September last year makes interesting reading. Hope FC Board has had a decent look at it so they can present their membership with exactly what they are in for if they become affiliated to or merge with ChCh United.

What are the guts of the changes 10cc?

Sounds like it is the thumbs down.

Who is next in line for a white knight? Western, I'm looking at you. 

#piegraphsdontlie

With Nelson and Bays still having a catch-up game, and Tech now playing in the CC, seems a little pointless having the games all at 1pm on the last Satdy right?