Northern League & US1

Northern League & US1

I remember at the beginning of last season, US1 clubs were saying the new league would almost certainly be a one-season wonder and they would be back in the Northern League for 2009. That clearly hasn't happened. Does anyone know if this situation going to remain or whether the Northern League will cover the whole of the North Island again for 2010?

I believe that NZ Football is conducting a review of all leagues and competitions to address problems like the NZFC, US1 and Auckland competitions being apart, the intergration of school football and the Chatham Cup so that as a country we have some clear guidelines of the pathways for players and clubs.  On a side note I believe that there have been some big changes at board level with US1 and although previously the board supported the stand alone competition with new board members now appointed or elected by the clubs this is now a split decision.

Thanks for that, nzowl. I personally welcome NZ Football's review as it seems badly needed and overdue. Hopefully common sense will prevail. I personally would love to see the old Northern, Central and Southern regional leagues come back into force, operating under a National League (funding permitting). If there is not enough money for a National League, then the Regional League Premier Division winner's to play-off with each other for the NZ Championship title (with the Chatham Cup being played through the same season and the final at the very end of the season).

Yes there are certainly some problems at present that really need NZ Football to sort out.  At present the Chatham Cup doesn't get the profile it deserves as many of the best players are no longer playing winter club football.  The NZFC has seen crowds dwindle and now has several franchises struggling for money whereas many of the clubs playing in the winter premier competitions don't have anything to aim for.  I'm not sure what the answers are but I think it is definatley time for a revamp of a few things.

Season previews for the non-Mickey Mouse League.

http://tinyurl.com/d7q5th

Thanks for the link HN. I think Central have done a good piece of business in getting Gardyne from Bay Olympic. He scored a lot of goals for them last season. I think Central will retain the title in 2009.

I'd pass comment on yesterday's US1 games but i'd probably be talking to myself.

Ah well...




BIRKO 6 NORTH SHORE 1

Ave It!!!

Ah Glenfield Rover 6 beat Waitakere City 2 last week,

Check the match report thread Ed.

Paulsg totally agree with strong regional leagues  with the national league as the pyramid

So the board have stepped down to clear the air before the AGM.

I'm not sure you have the full story edward. The clubs weren't consulted about being removed from the Northern League they were told they had been removed which is why a group of them appealed against the decision.  You are right in the fact that the points made to support this league are that due to less travel and not paying refs all the clubs would save money and this would allow them to develop young players.  My opinion is that they should have been developing young players anyway!  The travel point is a farce, they still make a trip to Whangarei and I really can't see how 2 away trips to Hamilton would make a club broke in this years Northern League.