Question time

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Gisborne United Premiers are steamrolling their way to football's Eastern League 1 title.

And while Wainui Sharks have an outside chance of hauling them in, United could be forgiven if their thoughts turn to the question: what next?

They have shown they can field two teams who can comfortably compete in the top local league. But playing in a four-team competition can become repetitive, and players want to test themselves.

Those were some of the considerations when Eastern Union ventured into outside competition, the Central Districts League, in 1967. From a local league comprising Thistle, Riverina, Gisborne Boys' High School and Eastern Union, they went into a league with teams from Hawke's Bay, Manawatu and Taranaki, and won it. They made the North Island semifinal of the Chatham Cup that year, losing in extra time to eventual winners North Shore.

In 1968, renamed Gisborne City, they were in the Central League, with Wellington clubs included, and in 1970 they were founding members of the National League.

They were relegated in 1976, won promotion by winning the Central League in 1979, won the Air New Zealand Cup and National League in 1984 and the Chatham Cup in 1987.

But this success was built on regular infusions of outside talent, particularly from overseas. That cost money, and so did the travel around the country. When the money dried up, so did the success.

Gisborne City no longer exist; it just got too hard. But what a ride!

Thistle are trying to fill the vaccuum, and United are waiting in the wings. Spring and summer could be an interesting time off the field, as clubs evaluate their positions and ambitions.

In the meantime, competition continues in Eastern League 1. Heavy Equipment Services United Premiers maintained their perfect record with a 7-0 victory over Thistle Youth, while 1st Class Decorators Wainui Sharks beat HES United Firsts 3-1 to maintain the pressure.

Damon Husband gave United Firsts the lead after 10 minutes when he ran on to a ball over the top and sidefooted it home.

But striker Thiago Carlos de Melo scored twice to gve Wainui a 2-1 halftime lead and Mariano Beniot added another.

Goalkeeper Matt Wotherspoon was Wainui man of the match. Midfielder Andy McBride and centrebacks Mal Furlan and Dan Willock also put in good shifts.