Soccer: Waitakere Utd rises from City's ashes

By TERRY MADDAFORD

From humble beginnings in 1989, Waitakere City quickly made their mark, winning the national league in their second season. Within seven years their record was bettered only by league giants Mt Wellington and Christchurch United.

Toss in three successive Chatham Cup triumphs from 1994 and the West Auckland-based club could justifiably lay claim as one of the best in New Zealand.

After initially playing at Western Springs, City returned to their western roots at Fred Taylor Park, but eventually faded, if not away at least back to regional football.

With interest waning and tired facilities, Waitakere finished last in the 2002 national league, were beaten in the play-offs and relegated.

From those ashes, the phoenix has risen.

Keen to have soccer at the highest level return to the west, Rex Dawkins, a driving force in Waitakere City's glory days, again mustered his deputies and won a place for a revamped Waitakere United in the new eight-team league.

"With the club back in the northern premier league but determined to rebuild, the emphasis was solidly on youth development," Dawkins said. "At the first hint of a new league we started talks and quickly made it our goal to be part of it."

Those early discussions involved Bay Olympic chairman Ross Clow and Waitakere's Peter Bult.

Both clubs had a league pedigree, with Bay Olympic formed in part with an amalgamation involving inaugural [1970] national league winners Blockhouse Bay.

"It was obvious Fred Taylor Park was not going to meet New Zealand Soccer's criteria," Dawkins said. "We went to the Waitakere City Council and quickly found they were prepared to support us. They offered The Trusts Stadium in Henderson as a prospective home base. That was the support we needed."

Councillor Ross Dallow became the go-to man on the council.

A board was formed, with Bult and Vern Russell representing the two major clubs. Brian Stanyer was appointed to represent the other member clubs - Norwest United, Waitemata, Te Atatu, Ranui Swanson, Glen Eden, West Auckland, Lynn Avon, Metro and Mt Albert Ponsonby. Dawkins was named chairman. Other board members, including some with marketing/sponsorship expertise, will be added.

"This part of Auckland has long been regarded as one of the soccer strongholds. We are determined to give our players every opportunity to play at the highest level," Dawkins said. "The great carrot is the chance to play in the Oceania club championships in Tahiti and possibly the world club championships after that.


Like other clubs in the new league, Waitakere United have yet to name their coach. "We would like to follow the British system of having a football manager and coach," Dawkins said. "At this stage we are not looking to fill these positions from outside New Zealand, but will almost certainly look offshore for our three allowed guest players."

With more than adequate funding, Waitakere United are ready to go.

There is much to be done, but given the track record of those at the top and the unequivocal council, Dawkins, who recently stood down from the New Zealand Soccer board, is certain Waitakere will be ready to fire some big shots from the October 15 kick-off..