Gisborne United player of the year Aaron Graham a model of consistency

Gisborne United midfielder Aaron Graham moves upfield during the 2022 Central Federation Cup final against Manawatū side North End at Harry Barker Reserve. United won a penalty shootout to clinch the silverware. Graham was named United's first-team player of the year for 2025 at the club's annual prizegiving. Photo / Liam Clayton

Midfielder Aaron Graham is Gisborne United’s player of the year for 2025.

Graham was a model of consistency in a defensive midfield role for Heavy Equipment Services United in their return to football outside the district.

United finished third in Central Football’s Eastern Premiership and were the highest-finishing Gisborne team in the league.

Graham’s reading of the game, his tackling, work rate and distribution were big factors in Gisborne United’s record of beating every opponent in the league at least once this year.

Although Gisborne clubs United and Thistle made the early running in the competition, their results fell away mid-season. Injuries to key players cost United points, but they rallied towards the end of the season.

Graham was named first-team player of the year at United’s annual prizegiving function.

Gisborne United goalkeeper Andy McIntosh blocks a shot from Thistle's Sam Patterson in an Eastern Premiership match at Harry Barker Reserve this season. McIntosh was named players' player of the year, most improved and club sportsman of the year for 2025 when United held their annual prizegiving function. Photo / Paul Rickard

Goalkeeper Andy McIntosh was named players’ player of the year, most improved, and club sportsman of the year.

McIntosh converted to goalkeeping after a leg injury affected his mobility for outfield duties. With time between the sticks, he became more than just a stand-in, and this year was one of United’s outstanding performers. Good hands, quick reflexes, bravery and a nose for attacking danger served him and his team well.

Player-coach Josh Adams (centre, in action against Taradale) led from the front in Gisborne United's return to outside competition in 2025. Adams won the club's golden boot award for top first-team scorer with 13 goals in Eastern Premiership games. United's third-place finish made them the highest-placed Gisborne team in the competition. Photo / Paul Rickard

Player-coach Josh Adams won the first-team golden boot award for most goals – 13, all in the Eastern Premiership. That they made up just over a quarter of United’s season tally says much for the contribution of the rest of the team to the goals-for column.

With the club’s 50th anniversary celebrations set for February, 2026 promises to be a big year for Gisborne United. Whether their first team has another crack at the Eastern Premiership depends on the players’ willingness to commit to the travel required.

Adams plans to catch up with the players over summer to gauge their interest.