Northern Leagues

playoff between Te-Atatu and Claudelands (2 legs) winner plays Papakura for the spot in the NRFL (1 off game).

Dates are on AFF website.

Yeah, the only issue with that is persuading our drunken Irish player base that away games in Whangarei are a fun way to spend a Saturday. Oh well, we'll see how this season goes.

ive heard manurewa have signed hoani edwards as player / coach? and they are trying to tuild up a bit of depth as well. . . advertising on AFF for u15 and u17 metro players  . . . building for the future?

ellerslie have got their facility upgrades, and that has go to look appealing to a few NRFL players

Maybe they just havent got enough players ? 

Would imagine some of suburbs players not wanted ( too old) will go there...

Ellerslie are a well run club and will do ok this year I think

Yeah we are looking forward to this season - we reckon we have our off field stuff sorted out - it's just down to what we do on the park now. 

Just a heads up - Ellerslie will be playing Saturday night football this year at home - so if you want to come watch another game after your own teams one head over to the new Michaels Ave # 1 for first team games at 6pm - anyone is welcome!

Saturday 6pm? Interesting. I take it that the lights have had a massive upgrade? In a cold winter, that will not be fun at all.

Believe ellerslie have turf and  flood lights . Great idea get the younger kids watching and club members...

Been to a few Metro Friday night gaems to watch and yeah can be cold but as long as its not raining it's quite a good spectacle.

I'll try make it to a few Ellerslie night games where fixtures will allow this season.

It's a complete joke. (In my opinion)

Yep it will be cold - won't be able to do much about that :-P  

We do have a new turf being installed as we speak (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Michaels-Ave-1/138990676195308) and international standard flood lighting.

We are in discussions about a mobile catering company coming in and offering hot food and drinks - which might help with the cold nights!

Read somewhere on here before that Birko were playing Wanderers this weekend, is that confirmed? Becuase I heard they were playing Hukanui, which obviously wouldn't be nearly as watchable!

try Birko's website they have a pretty up-to-date schedule on there.

March 23 Hamilton wanderers. According to there manager

Might pop down for a look then!

Heard that the Fijian boy who's playing for Waikato is going to Hamilton , be a good signing he's looked dangerous for Waikato

Last week I had the pleasure of interviewing Birkenhead's Jack Hobson-McVeigh about the upcoming NRFL season, as well Waikato FC and his famous goal in the U17 World Cup. Transcript's here if you're interested:

http://in-the-back-of-the.net/2013/02/23/an-interview-with-jack-hobson-mcveigh/

"I just play to enjoy it". - J Hobson-McVeigh. How refreshing. Nice one JH-V.

I was really impressed with his all round maturity.

Hair to match

Any Pre season games over the weekend...?

Springs beat papatoetoe... Oratia beat metro ..... Any others

Waiuku beat Waitemata 5 -2.

 I went along to see Papakura play Ellerslie, but it was cancelled. Watched about 15 minutes of what ppeared to be an Ellerslie squad game and then buggered off.

Did waitamata get promoted

Nope. Oratia did. I suspect Te Atatu will go up as well, on the evidence of last season, in the play offs due to Matamata pulling out.

A couple of preseason games for the weekend...

Also - Warkworth v Taka (Reserves) 3pm on the turf at NHS

Will be interested to see the results coming out of this pre-season NFF tourny starting this weekend.

Metro another loss over the weekend, early days yet but not the best signs for them.

Only 4 weeks until season kicks off proper!

The Pre season cup has been woefull over the last few years, be good if everyone played there 1st teams.....

Ngarua's new coach apparently not going down well, rumour is there's going to be some exits.

I saw narra play glenfield and f.hill up here last season and they impressed me.... Thought if they got that team together plus maybe 3 good signings they be in with a shout. Of promotion ...

They're a fairly scrappy side, mediocre division one outfit, yeah signings could make the push. Might pop down to watch first leg of Claudelands v Te Atatu playoffs this Saturday, be awesome to have another Waikato team representing in the NRFL.

Think   Te atatu are supposed to be not bad

Watched the Bay O v Birko game ...

Not a bad Pre season game... Both teams not at full strength.... I guess depends who have the better players to come in !

Birkenhead  on 3-1   To be fair should have been a few more.   . Still wouldn't go past Bay O as champions again....

A few results from the weekend

Glenfield 4 - 3 Hibiscus Coast

Warkworth 2 - 1 Taka Reserves

Waitemata 4 - 1 Waitakere

Claudelands 4 - 3 Te Atatu. Reverse fixture this weekend should be a cracker.

Was 3-0 to Rovers as well before they collapsed, definitely makes the return leg very interesting indeed.

 Anyone know if George Slefendorfas is playing somewhere here. We played him and Gordan ( not sure what is last name is but he posts on here ) on Saturday in a final of a summer footy tournament and beat them 2nil. George was a very dirty player

He's going to bays