Soccer: Homeless Wairarapa 90 minutes from Cup glory

Wairarapa's Seulle Soroman (centre). Photo / Photosport

There have been some fantastic fairytale stories in the long history of the Chatham Cup but it is hard to rival the tale of Wairarapa United in 2011. Formed as a club less than two decades ago, they have no regular home field or clubrooms - and use different local pubs for their aftermatch functions.

During the wintry blast over the last month they have often had nowhere to train but, thanks to local goodwill, have used the facilities of nearby hockey, badminton and volleyball clubs. Local rugby legend Brian Lochore - who remains the only New Zealander to coach a World Cup winning side in any code - has helped with preparations, attending their final training session last Thursday.

While they are now established in the Central Premier League, just a few years ago they were four divisions lower and on the cusp of dropping into Capital division three - and today in Palmerston North they face four time winners Napier City Rovers in the 89th Cup final.

"It's been a hell of a ride," says coach Phil Keinzley, "and the local reaction has been staggering. Rugby is number one in the rural areas around here but everybody is getting into the football. Some of the other sports teams even cancelled their training so we could use their facilities when our grounds were closed ."

Much has been made of their difficult run to the final, where they had to play five of six games away from home, but Keinzley sees a silver lining.

"We don't have a regular home ground or clubrooms," says Keinzley, "and we hold our aftermatch functions at the pub that can give us a good deal. Hopefully what we have achieved this season will encourage the local councils to look at our situation."

Wairarapa United were formed in 1996, as an amalgamation of Carterton and Masterton. Keinzley has guided the team since 2003, overseeing their rise from the lower leagues to the Central Premier League.

"Last year we had a good squad but probably too much flair. Now we have the right balance of flair and graft."

They have a strong Pacific Island connection, with two Fijians headlined by international Pita Rabo and a Vanuatu duo that includes Seule Soromon, top scorer in the 2009 NZFC.

Captain Adam Cowen has the most appearances in ASB Premiership history, while local stalwart Carl Shailer has played 172 times for the club, including 56 on the trot.

Keinzley's aim was to emulate the deeds of 2006, when they made the last 16. When they beat Lower Hutt in round two they joked that it could be an omen - each of the last two Cup winners have beaten Lower Hutt on their way. They then ambushed Waitakere City 4-1 on a Carterton 'paddock', before upsetting Cup favourites Bay Olympic 1-0 in the semifinal. Due to airport fog, their journey to Auckland took more than 10 hours. Bay Olympic were in rare form, having wrapped up the Northern Premier League title with three games to spare. Despite being reduced to 10 men in the second half, a Soromon strike was enough to get Wairarapa home and the players celebrated with kava, after Rabo filled a 20 litre container with the Fijian staple.

Napier will make their sixth final appearance today, having lifted the trophy in 1985, 1993, 2000 and 2002.

"They have a strong spine throughout their team and are tough to counter," says Keinzley. "We play a similar style so it should be a very entertaining match."

Chatham Cup

Founded: 1923.
Inaugural champions: Seacliff (Otago).
Most successful club: Mt Wellington (seven wins).The trophy was gifted to the New Zealand Football Association by the crew of British Navy ship the HMS Chatham and is modelled on the FA Cup.