Football: WaiBOP coach rewards City pair

Sam O'Regan led Tauranga City United to promotion this season. Photo / File

The dividends from Tauranga City United's outstanding promotion-winning season continue with two of the team's best performed players promoted ahead of the 2014/15 ASB Premiership season.

Sam O'Regan, 25, and Jerahl Hughes, 24, have signed for WaiBOP United as coach Peter Smith continues to reward local talent for consistent performances.

Both O'Regan and Hughes were instrumental in Tauranga's charge to the Northern Region Football League Division 2 title during the 2014 winter season.

Brighton-born O'Regan, a centre half, captained Tauranga to the title and made his as one of the league's most skilful defenders. The staunch West Ham United supporter also had a habit of chipping in with goals, most notably via spectacular free kicks.

This season was O'Regan's second for Tauranga and he was influential in bringing his good friend Hughes to the club at the start of the winter.

Hughes, also originally from Brighton and a former youth player with Crystal Palace, operated out wide or through the middle as an attacking midfielder for Tauranga, and was their chief playmaker. His impact makes him as one of the best imports to ever wear the club's blue shirt.

Not only was he a provider of goals and NRFL Division 2's primary tormenter of defenders, he was also deadly in front of goal. His 17 goals played a major part in Tauranga securing the title.

WaiBOP United head coach Smith is pleased to have both players involved in his squad.

"Sam and Jerahl have solid backgrounds in the game in the UK and will bring with them a desire to prove themselves at the highest domestic level here in New Zealand," Smith said. "It's that hunger that I think will help them be successful in the ASB Premiership. The step up from NRFL 2 is a big one, but Jack McNab proved last season it could be done. I think Sam and Jerahl will follow quite comfortably in his footsteps."