Mainland Premier League

Good on Western, but will they play at Walter Park next season? 

Council owned grounds will always get a lot of use; and the upgrades at Avonhead, Tullet and Ferrymead are all significant improvements. Aside from Walter Park, of the 2019 Chch based MPL clubs it’s only Cuthberts that has not had an upgrade.  

PS Privately owned Garrick was also upgraded during U20 World Cup. 

Thought it was more to do with pitch conditions when it rains due to poor drainage situation. Has CCC upgraded drainage? Did they have to transfer many games this year? Are MPL criteria different to MQL? 

Not 100% sure of details but Cashmere Technical also put a big chunk of dollars in to the pot for the upgrade at Garrick. 

I think the worst thing around the upgrades for the U20 World Cup was the upgrade at the Linwood Rugby Ground, sure Canterbury United got to use it for one season as English Park was upgraded.

I know one of their home games was played English Park against us but that was the week in which all grounds in Chch were closed. Other than that not sure they had many more moved

I believe that the CCL (MQL) do not have to met the MPL criteria - at the moment ChCh Until still developing their changing rooms, unsure if their loo's are up and running yet.

Good point Steptoe. So what do we think of the quality of next year's MPL pitches? And sure, I understand the 'home ground advantage' argument but cow paddocks aren't really conducive to quality football. Also, when is English Park turf due for renewal?

Should of been done 3+ years ago easy

I seem to recall lifespan was 8-10 years, so that would only be coming up now. I'd assume capital raising discussions would be well advanced.

I seem to recall lifespan was 8-10 years, so that would only be coming up now. I'd assume capital raising discussions would be well advanced.

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Mainland have been putting money aside yearly for when the turf needs to be upgraded.

Avonhead's a beach too. Shame if they are not maintained well.

While they are at it, perhaps they could do something about the glow worms they call lights?

Maybe best to invest any money for ungraded pitch and lights elsewhere for the long-term future for Mainland Football, main issue is only one pitch at English Park.

Tonight's MPQL Results:

FC Twenty11 2 Selwyn 0

Final game on Saturday between Universities vs. Selwyn

what about gaining access to the centre of that new running track in the new sports facility that’s nearing completion??

More likely several new fields our there, even some talk of Mainland moving their HQ out to the Ngā Puna Wai sports hub.

Athletic, tennis hockey and as VIm says rugby league will all have their HQ's there.

MPQL - Final Round

Universities 3 (Rodrigo Bacazar, Will Doherty, Luis John) Selwyn 2 (Dan Ede, Troy Pennycuick) HT 2 - 2

Final Table

and here is the table for just the MPQL games (before someone asks)

Now that the MPL and MPQL are all over looks like up to three (may be more) MPL clubs likely to be looking for a new coach and maybe up to the same in the CCL so are there coaches waiting in the wings to take up the challenge. 

Heard Vim is keen

Still too valuable as a player, not ready to hang up his boot just yet I imagine. 

stu kelly always keen on doing the dirty and coaching isnt he? short answer I dont think there is many at all. time will tell i guess

Tomorrow night at 7pm the 99th English Cup Final will be played between current holders - Cashmere Technical and Coastal Spirit.

Cup first played for in 1913 and was won by Sydenham. Cup was played for during both World War's but has not been contested every year, with Cup not played for on 1973, 1975 - 1978, 2002 - unsure why so any information would be great, and also 2010- due to 7. 1 earthquake hitting Christchurch in the early hours of 4 September, th day of the final.

Here is a list of the club names (and the numbers of times) they have lifted the cup.

Great stats there AW82. What's the difference between Chch Rangers and Chch Rangers Utd? 

Unsure - ChCh Rangers United won in 1927

English cup tonight?

yep, fingers crossed for a Coastal win!

It’s healthy to be sharing your emotions amongst loved ones Vim. 

Actually it was another top tough battle, similar to the Chatty Cup game between the two teams.

The football suffered a bit at times and Coastal were very generous with their application of the play out from the back style. Mixed bag from the man in the middle but he wasn't going to cost either team the game. Yah football!

English Cup 3 - Lyle Matthysen, Tom Schwarz, Aaron Clapman Coastal Spirit 2 Ant Jones, Treye Butler - after extra time HT 1 - 0 FT 2 - 2

Must say was very interesting how a couple of players escaped cards for what in most games would be deemed bookings (or even more when raising an arm to an opponent) yet the ref all of a sudden around the 70th minute mark decided to start dishing them out for most tackles (except a studs showing tackle on the keeper!)

Thought in normal time Coastal created the better chances and actually deserved the victory inside 90, but as we all know it’s about playing to the end and tech did just that.

Once extra time came around Tech looked the better side and more likely to grab the winner despite being reduced to 10 men.

The way one of the Tech Stalwarts (I’m imagining that’s what he is as he wasn’t on the official bench) entered the pitch area during the game and then continued to provoke and swear at Coastal players after the game was nothing short of embarrassing for the club.

This wasn’t the heat of the game stuff or banter, this was purposefully inciting a reaction when it didn’t need to. I think it actually marred what was an entertaining game.

Yeah that Tech staff member (Nixy is it? Nicholson maybe) yelling and yahooing in our coaches face and some players in the handshake :o I wanted to jump the fence and punch him. Surely Tech highguard are embarrassed by that. 

Love it how our positive reception to Danny Boys coming off was all he got. Top kid, even though he was even worse then Gary in coming and celebrating in our faces 2 years back. #nofans 

Amazing fight and fitness Tech had in extra time especially after their heroics just last Sat both WITH 10 MEN. How we were the ones cramping up.. ?? 

And yes 5 minutes stoppage time out of nowhere for them to score 96 mins and 30 seconds... big ouch. Proud of the club I support. What a ride. Being the club challenging Tech is a compliment and similiar to Chatham, actually deserving to win.... class!! See you next year for another cracker. Fanbase growing after games like that. Coastal up!!

P.S we were thinking of recruiting our mob to get behind the Dragons this summer... but na how we only have 2 players in that squad means either 1. We are overachieving massively or 2. Willy is blind. He will never get true local support the way treats our local players or local competitions. 

There was always going to be a heap of added time with subs, yellow cards the injury to the Coastal player and the ref clearly was showing the he was adding time for time wasting. 

Seen it plenty of time this season in the MPL, SFL and other games that team do not seem to know how to run the clock down late in a game - knocking it long in the corners.

Also some what surprised with Tech's tired legs that with Coastal's pacey players that is was hardly used in extra time.

There is a time to celebrate your victories but during after game hand shakes and in the faces of your opponents is not one of them. If true then that is pretty poor form and reflects badly on a Cashmere team and club. I hope they have a word to him. 

It definitely happened as I was stood just behind the dugouts. He also went through the gate into the technical area when Clapham went down for an injury in extra time. Since when are fans allowed to enter the technical area in those situations?

If the boot was on the other foot (and I know when we've had situations at our club) then the hierarchy at the club need to be having a word with him and taking the necessary action.

Everyone else during the handshakes put what happened to one side and congratulated those that deserved it and commiserated with the others. One guy has let the club down

Every game has subs and cards. Physio went on once. But not every game has 5 minutes stoppage and over 6 minutes played. Oh well. There was no ambulance. How good were our goals!!? I slipped and fell into the new nets behind us like a spider web celebrating the 2nd. 

Sorry to disturb your forum but thought this could be interesting for all involved within Christchurch football...

The Christchurch Football Centre at Yaldhurst will be kicking-off Social Leagues on October 15th, catering for 7/9/11-a-side formats throughout the week. 

It could be a nice way for players to stay ticking over for the rest of 2018... or for all you spectators who have been watching this season to finally get your chance to produce the goods on pitch! 

Follow the link to have a look - http://www.cfcentre.co.nz/cfc-term-2-leagues-2018/

Fully appreciate the coming off applause. We’ve come a long way since my head rush celebration I feel. Keep up the support for coastal I love it