Renfrew to leave Nomads for Gisborne

Press, 27 February 1986, Page 44

Renfrew to leave Nomads for Gisborne

Rod Renfrew, among the best goal-keepers in the Hertz Soccer League, will join N.Z. Permanent Gisborne next month. The Nomads United player, aged 25, will be vying for a place in the Gisborne Rothmans League side with the former Northern Ireland youth international, David Reynolds, this season. His coach at Nomads, Mr Martin Stewart, said he was pleased that Renfrew would get a chance to play for a national league club. “Obviously the lad’s keen to have a crack at the national league and the opportunities are few and far between down here,” he said. Renfrew, who will get his coaching this winter from the New Zealand coach, Mr Kevin Fallon, is delighted to be making the move, although admitting a certain sadness at leaving Nomads. He had a chance of a trial at Gisborne last year, “but I messed around and left it a bit late.

“I can’t wait to get up there; I’m really thrilled to bits,” he added. The initial contact came

through the national team players, Allan Boath and Steve Sumner, who are family friends, according to Renfrew. Mr Fallon said he has received good reports about Renfrew’s application to soccer and he is keen to have a second goal-keeper, a luxury he has not enjoyed since 1981. However, Mr Stewart has already picked up a replacement for Renfrew, with the signing of the Bumdale United goalkeeper, Tony Boomer. In addition, he has also persuaded Christchurch’s longest-serving national league player, Kees Doornenbal, to join the Club. Doomenbal, who played for Christchurch Brother United from the early 1970 s until the end of the 1984 season, will provide an essentially young Nomads side ? with a wealth of experience. "I heard on the grapevine that Kees might be looking for a change, so I got in touch because I felt he could do a good job for us,” said Mr Stewart. “I’m sure he will be a tremendous asset, not just for the team but also the club,” he added.