Soccer Pride At Stake

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32265, 7 April 1970, Page 17

Soccer Pride At Stake

Christchurch United will have a long, proud record to protect and preserve when the club plays its first match, against Auckland United (Blockhouse Bay), in the Rothmans National League at English Park on Saturday.

Since the four Canterbury clubs—Christchurch City, Rangers, Shamrock and Technical—joined forces four

years ago to field a combined team, the United senior eleven has been unbeaten. United made its debut in March, 1967, when the committee organising the joint affairs of the four clubs brought to Christchurch the then Chatham Cup holder, Miramar Rangers. The two teams met at Rangers Park, and before a record crowd for the ground, United won, 2-0. Of its team of that day, only two are in the present senior squad—T. Haydon and C. Jones. The club’s coach, Mr G. Evans, led the first United side, and R. Taylor, the City playercoach, scored both goals. In the following two years, United brought two more clubs from the North Island —Ponsonby, then northern league champion, in 1968, and Western Suburbs, the central league title-holder, in 1969. Both matches were played at English Park and both were drawn—4-4—with Ponsonby and 1-1 with Western Suburbs. GOOD START This year, since the club began training late in January, United has had seven matches and has won them all, although some narrowly. It beat Shamrock 1-0 and 3-0, Rangers 3-0, City 4-0, Technical 2-1, Western 2-1 and Caversham, the strong Dunedin club, 2-0,

The club’s record against senior sides, on the eve of its greatest undertaking, is played 10, won 8, drawn 2, scored 24 goals, conceded 7. NEW NAME

Although an earlier application was refused by the Auckland Football Association, Blockhouse Bay has now been permitted to use the title of Auckland United for its national league team.

The club’s secretary, Mr D. Cantlay, said: “We are glad officials have changed their minds. The title of Auckland United gives us a definite geographical position known throughout the country. “In addition, it gives a vital extra spark to our first match, which will now be Christchurch v. Auckland.”