United engrave their name on Challenge Cup

The United team pictured after their last game of the season, a 4-1 victory against Port Hill on Saturday, are, back (from left): Matt Adams, Mal Scammell, Jack Faulkner, Kieran Venema (captain), Stu Cranswick, Noy Paull and Martin Garnier. Front: Lucian Nickerson, Josh Adams, Josh Harris, Corey Adams (player-coach), Dane Thompson, Aaron Graham, Malcolm Marfell and Kieran Higham. And holding the cup is the team's young helper, Aiden Norris. Picture supplied

By ending the season as holders of the Challenge Cup, the Gisborne United Pacific Premiership football team earned the right to have their name engraved on the cup and hold it over summer.

It will be defended at home games next season.

Eight-year-old Aiden Norris (pictured holding the cup), started going to United’s games with his father, Brent this year.

Aiden took it on himself to fetch balls kicked out during games, and afterwards to collect corner flags, stack chairs and wind in boundary ropes. The United players signed a football and gave it to him, with a bag of goodies, to show their appreciation.