By Jack Sharp
Birkenhead United will look to spoil the party for Northern League rivals Auckland City when the sides meet in the semi-final of the Chatham Cup on Sunday.
Auckland City, who have already secured the 2024 OFC Champions League and are well-placed to win back-to-back Northern League titles, will celebrate their 20th jubilee at the cup semi-final.
Many of the club’s big-name players and coaches from the past will be at Kiwitea St to cheer on the Navy Blues as they try to reach the September 7 final of New Zealand football’s oldest club competition.
READ MORE: Auckland City plan 20th anniversary celebration on Chatham Cup semi-final day >>>>
Birkenhead, who have chased City hard in the Northern League, are themselves aiming for a big finish to the year.
Having already secured qualification to the Men’s National League, with City and Eastern Suburbs, Birkenhead are chasing their third Chatham Cup in eight years, having lifted the trophy in 2016 and 2018.
First, they have to get past an Auckland City side who have had the drop on Birkenhead in past encounters.
This year, City beat Birkenhead 3-1 in their latest league match, and drew the previous clash 2-2 in July.
Last year, the Navy Blues beat their rivals 2-0 and 5-1, and in 2022, they also completed a double, winning 5-3 and 3-0.
The last time the clubs met in the Chatham Cup was 2021 when City needed a penalty decider when the sides were tied 3-3 after extra time.
Can Birkenhead turn the tables?
If they do, it will no doubt require the inspiration of midfielder and captain Luke Jorgensen.
Jorgensen (24) was in the 2018 cup-winning side, after joining Birkenhead from Bay Olympic.
Sunday’s semi-final will be his 150th first-team appearance for Birkenhead,
Birkenhead made a special presentation to Jorgensen during the week, presenting him with a trophy and framed poster.
“Over the past six years, it’s been incredible to witness Luke’s growth both as a player and as a person,” the club said.
“His journey has seen him excel in our U-19s, lift the Chatham Cup, and earn accolades like Player of the Year and the Golden Boot.
“Taking on the captain’s armband has added another dimension to his game, bringing invaluable experience to the pitch.”
The winners will go to the final at North Harbour Stadium on Saturday September 7, to meet either Coastal Spirit or Wellington Olympic.
READ MORE: North Harbour Stadium confirmed to host double header of cup finals >>>>
Fixtures
Games to be played on Sunday August 18, 2024
Chatham Cup
Semi-finals
Coastal Spirit v Wellington Olympic
Linfield Park, Bromley, 1pm
PREVIEW: In-form Spirit and Olympic face off in Chatham Cup semi-final >>>>
Auckland City v Birkenhead United
Kiwitea St, Sandringham, 2pm
Final
Game to be played on Saturday September 7, 2024
READ MORE: North Harbour Stadium confirmed to host double header of cup finals >>>>
Past rounds
RESULTS: Quarter-finals of 2024 Chatham Cup >>>>
RESULTS: Fourth round of 2024 Chatham Cup >>>>
RESULTS: Third round of 2024 Chatham Cup >>>>
RESULTS: Second round of 2024 Chatham Cup >>>>
RESULTS: First round of 2024 Chatham Cup >>>>
RESULTS: Preliminary round of 2024 Chatham Cup >>>>
The Chatham Cup … donated by the crew of the HMS Chatham in 1922.READ MORE: History of the Chatham Cup >>>>
All the past winners — Chatham Cup
1923 – Seacliff (Otago)
1924 – Harbour Board (Auckland)
1925 – YMCA (Wellington)
1926 – Sunnyside (Canterbury)
1927 – Ponsonby (Auckland)
1928 – Petone (Wellington)
1929 – Tramways (Auckland)
1930 – Petone (Wellington)
1931 – Tramurewa (Auckland)
1932 – Wellington Marist (Wellington)
1933 – Ponsonby (Auckland)
1934 – Thistle (Auckland)
1935 – Hospital (Wellington)
1936 – Western (Canterbury)
1937 – competition cancelled due to lack of entries
1938 – Waterside (Wellington)
1939 – Waterside (Wellington)
1940 – Waterside (Wellington)
1941-44 – no competition due to World War II
1945 – Western (Christchurch)
1946 – Wellington Marist (Wellington)
1947 – Waterside (Wellington)
1948 – Christchurch Technical Old Boys
1949 – Petone (Wellington)
1950 – Eden (Auckland)
1951 – Eastern Suburbs (Auckland)
1952 – North Shore United and Western (Canterbury)(shared)
1953 – Eastern Suburbs (Auckland)
1954 – Onehunga (Auckland)
1955 – Western (Canterbury)
1956 – Stop Out (Wellington)
1957 – Seatoun (Wellington)
1958 – Seatoun (Wellington)
1959 – Northern (Dunedin)
1960 – North Shore United (Auckland)
1961 – Northern (Dunedin)
1962 – Hamilton Technical Old Boys (Waikato)
1963 – North Shore United (Auckland)
1964 – Mount Roskill (Auckland)
1965 – Eastern Suburbs (Auckland)
1966 – Miramar Rangers (Wellington)
1967 – North Shore United (Auckland)
1968 – Eastern Suburbs (Auckland)
1969 – Eastern Suburbs (Auckland)
1970 – Blockhouse Bay (Auckland)
1971 – Western Suburbs (Wellington)
1972 – Christchurch United (Canterbury)
1973 – Mount Wellington (Auckland)
1974 – Christchurch United (Canterbury)
1975 – Christchurch United (Canterbury)
1976 – Christchurch United (Canterbury)
1977 – Nelson United (Marlborough)
1978 – Manurewa (Auckland)
1979 – North Shore United (Auckland)
1980 – Mount Wellington (Auckland)
1981 – Dunedin City (Otago)
1982 – Mount Wellington (Auckland)
1983 – Mount Wellington (Auckland)
1984 – Manurewa (Auckland)
1985 – Napier City Rovers (Hawkes Bay)
1986 – North Shore United (Auckland)
1987 – Gisborne City (Poverty Bay)
1988 – Waikato United (Waikato)
1989 – Christchurch United (Canterbury)
1990 – Mount Wellington (Auckland)
1991 – Christchurch United (Canterbury)
1992 – Miramar Rangers (Wellington)
1993 – Napier City Rovers (Hawkes Bay)
1994 – Waitakere City (Auckland)
1995 – Waitakere City (Auckland)
1996 – Waitakere City (Auckland)
1997 – Central United (Auckland)
1998 – Central United (Auckland)
1999 – Dunedin Technical (Otago)
2000 – Napier City Rovers (Hawkes Bay)
2001 – University-Mount Wellington (Auckland)
2002 – Napier City Rovers (Hawkes Bay)
2003 – University-Mount Wellington (Auckland)
2004 – Miramar Rangers (Wellington)
2005 – Central United (Auckland)
2006 – Western Suburbs (Wellington)
2007 – Central United (Auckland)
2008 – East Coast Bays (Auckland)
2009 – Wellington Olympic (Wellington)
2010 – Miramar Rangers (Wellington)
2011 – Wairarapa United (Masterton)
2012 – Central United (Auckland)
2013 – Cashmere Technical (Canterbury)
2014 – Cashmere Technical (Canterbury)
2015 – Eastern Suburbs (Auckland)
2016 – Birkenhead United (Auckland)
2017 – Onehunga Sports (Auckland)
2018 – Birkenhead United (Auckland)
2019 – Napier City Rovers (Hawkes Bay)
2020 – cancelled due to COVID-19
2021 – Cashmere Technical (Canterbury)
2022 – Auckland City (Auckland)
2023 – Christchurch United (Canterbury)
This story was first published on August 17, 2024
Jack Sharp
Jack Sharp is a long-time follower of club football in New Zealand and is a volunteer writer for Friends of Football. You can show your appreciation for his work by buying him a coffee.
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