Latest news from Friends of Football
A hat-trick by Jordi Langton spearheaded a 7-1 win by Otumoetai over Hamilton Wanderers in the latest round of games in the WaiBOP Premiership. The win keeps Otumoetai in third place, chasing Taupo and Waikato Unicol in the title race. … Read More
New Zealand age-group international Dane Schnell heads a trio of new signings for Northern League club Birkenhead United. Schnell (23) moved across Auckland’s harbour to complete his move from Western Springs ahead of the June 30 transfer deadline. The midfielder … Read More
Former All White Noah Billingsley has signed for Christchurch United after a one-game stint with Wellington’s Waterside Karori. The 24-year-old defender has returned to New Zealand after two years in the United States contracted to Major Soccer League club Minnesota … Read More
By Jonno Ross Football’s all about the games that really matter … and for fans of the women’s game, there’s no more important match than Sunday’s top-of-the-table fixture in the Lotto NRFL Women’s Premier League. Unbeaten Northern Rangers can all … Read More
All White Marco Rojas is reportedly in negotiations to sign with Chilean Premera Division club Colo-Colo, based in Santiago. The 30-year-old Hamilton-born winger is understood to be out of contract at A-League club Melbourne Victory and has previously stated his … Read More
Here’s the schedule of Northern League and Lotto NRFL men’s and women’s competitions, and top WaiBOP matches, to help you plan an entertaining weekend of football for July 2-3. Please note that clubs from the NRF men’s and women’s championships … Read More
Former All White and Wellington Phoenix defender Louis Fenton has had a change of heart about early retirement and has signed for the Queensland Lions. The semi-professional Lions are currently top of the National Premier League (Queensland). Fenton (29) joins … Read More
By Jonno Ross If any side can emerge as the Northern League’s second-best team, it’ll be decided this weekend when Melville United host Birkenhead United at Hamilton’s Gower Park. It’s a given that Auckland City are unarguably the region’s best … Read More
By Jonno Ross There’s no such thing as a meaningless game in the Lotto NRFL first division — every result counts in this tight competition. The title race is turning into a two-way scrap between West Coast Rangers and Manurewa, … Read More
By Jonno Ross Local rivalry could close the gap in form between Claudelands Rovers and leaders Ngaruawahia United when the Waikato clubs meet in this weekend’s Lotto NRFL second division fixtures. If Rovers can cause an upset, it’ll open the … Read More
Plans are underway for the biggest fundraising campaign in New Zealand football’s history with the potential for clubs and schools to share benefits of up to $900,000. The bold initiative is being promoted by the New Zealand Football Foundation in … Read More
Auckland City will play clubs from Fiji, New Caledonia and the Cook Islands in their pool games at the OFC Champions League tournament in August. The draw for the competition was made on Thursday June 30, splitting the eight qualifying … Read More
Australian age-group international Lucas Mauragis has joined the Wellington Phoenix on loan from the Newcastle Jets for the 2022/23 A-League season. Mauragis (20), who plays at left back, made his debut for the Jets at the end of the 2019/20 campaign … Read More
Much-travelled Football Fern Katie Rood is on the move again — this time, signing for Scottish club Hearts. The 29-year-old striker will move North to Edinburgh after the expiration of her contract at Southampton, the club she helped gain promotion … Read More
Auckland City have opened up a 12-point lead in the Northern League after beating Eastern Suburbs 2-1 under lights at the Croatian Cultural Club. The game was played midweek to help Auckland City alleviate pressure on their fixture schedule, caused … Read More
The Wellington Phoenix have drawn Devonport City Strikers in the round of 32 of the renamed Australia Cup. The Phoenix will visit the National Premier League Tasmania leaders on a yet-to-be-determined date in late July or early August. It will … Read More
Friends of Football are pleased to welcome Auckland club Metro FC to our growing group of partner clubs. Metro, who play in the Lotto NRFL first division, join our list of partner clubs that now includes Mt Albert Ponsonby, Birkenhead … Read More
As an 11-year-old in Te Awamutu, The Crowd Goes Wild reporter James McOnie was a fan of the All Whites squad that became the first New Zealand side to reach the FIFA World Cup finals. Forty years on, McOnie had … Read More