1959 Chatham Cup
Encyclopedia
The 1959 Chatham Cup was the 32nd annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand
.
The competition was run on a regional basis, with regional associations each holding separate qualifying rounds. Teams taking part in the final rounds are known to have included North Shore United
, Rangers (Bay of Plenty), Hamilton Wanderers
, Eastern Union (Gisborne), Moturoa, Colenso Athletic (Hawkes Bay), Wanganui Athletic, Massey College (Manawatu), Miramar Rangers
, Nelson Rangers, Western
(Christchurch), and Northern
(Dunedin).
since Seacliff won the first final in 1923, winning the cup for the first time in their sixth final. Northern goalkeeper Jim Stephenson
was playing in his fourth final for the club; he was to play in two more in 1961 and 1962, to become the first player to play in six finals.
The game had a frantic start, with a goal coming for each side in the opening five minutes. Cliff Schmidt turned the ball into his own net to give the lead to Northern after just two minutes. The lead was only to last for some 90 seconds, with Alex Middleton heading the ball into the Dunedin side's net. Goals either side of the half-time interval from Bill Berry and George Little gave Northern a 3-1 lead. Chris Foulkes reduced the deficit late on, but despite strong pressure from the Aucklanders Northern held on to win the match by the odd goal in five.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
The competition was run on a regional basis, with regional associations each holding separate qualifying rounds. Teams taking part in the final rounds are known to have included North Shore United
North Shore United
North Shore United is a semi-professional football club based in North Shore, Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2.Their home ground, Allen Hill Stadium, is located in the suburb of Devonport.-History:...
, Rangers (Bay of Plenty), Hamilton Wanderers
Hamilton Wanderers
Hamilton Wanderers is an semi-professional association football club in Hamilton, New Zealand. They compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Premier.-External links:**...
, Eastern Union (Gisborne), Moturoa, Colenso Athletic (Hawkes Bay), Wanganui Athletic, Massey College (Manawatu), Miramar Rangers
Miramar Rangers
Miramar Rangers AFC is a semi-professional New Zealand association football club in the Wellington suburb of Miramar. They are current holders of the Chatham Cup, the fourth time they have won the trophy...
, Nelson Rangers, Western
Western A.F.C.
Western A.F.C. is a semi-professional association football club in Christchurch, New Zealand. They compete in the Robbie's Premier Football League.-1913–1920:...
(Christchurch), and Northern
Northern (soccer)
Northern AFC is a semi-professional association football club in North East Valley, Dunedin, New Zealand. They are currently competing in the ODT FootballSouth Premier League.The club is based at The Gardens Ground, North East Valley, Dunedin....
(Dunedin).
The 1959 final
Northern became the first Chatham Cup winners from OtagoOtago
Otago is a region of New Zealand in the south of the South Island. The region covers an area of approximately making it the country's second largest region. The population of Otago is...
since Seacliff won the first final in 1923, winning the cup for the first time in their sixth final. Northern goalkeeper Jim Stephenson
Jim Stephenson
Jim Stephenson is a former football goalkeeper who represented New Zealand at international level.Stephenson made his full All Whites debut in a 0-2 loss to New Caledonia on 10 September 1951 and ended his international playing career with 10 A-international caps to his credit, his final cap an...
was playing in his fourth final for the club; he was to play in two more in 1961 and 1962, to become the first player to play in six finals.
The game had a frantic start, with a goal coming for each side in the opening five minutes. Cliff Schmidt turned the ball into his own net to give the lead to Northern after just two minutes. The lead was only to last for some 90 seconds, with Alex Middleton heading the ball into the Dunedin side's net. Goals either side of the half-time interval from Bill Berry and George Little gave Northern a 3-1 lead. Chris Foulkes reduced the deficit late on, but despite strong pressure from the Aucklanders Northern held on to win the match by the odd goal in five.