Mangere United
Encyclopedia
Mangere United is a semi-professional football (soccer) club in Mangere
, Auckland
, New Zealand
. It is a member of No.2 District Federation of NZ Soccer
(Soccer2) and plays in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2
.
including young men who played or wished to play football with an established club. The founders of the club then saw the need for a football club in Auckland to provide players of Fijian
origin and chose Mangere
as a suitable location due to the concentration of Fijian Indian's in the area. The founders of the Club are Mr Mohammed Imran (president), Mr James Kado (secretary), Mr Patrick Herman (former manager) and Mr Ramu Prasad (former coach).
an national football team kit.
The Fijian Indian element can be seen on their emblem with a Fijian whale tooth carving holding a prominent place.
The only other successful New Zealand football clubs with ethnic origins are Wellington Olympic AFC (Greek), Central United
(Croatian) and to some extent Wellington United
(Dutch and - historically - Hungarian).
, Manukau
. It previously housed a club rooms but was burnt down in 2005. Plans are underway for a major renovation of the ground which would see a small stadium/seating area being built. It is hoped the ground will one day be the home of ethnic and Fijian tournaments in Auckland
.
Mangere United's alternative ground is Walter Massey Park, Manukau
.
due to name and location similarities between the clubs. In the derby context, Mangere United is known as Onehunga-Mangere United
's cousins from the valley (Onehunga-Mangere United
's home ground being on top of an extinct volcano).
It is, along with Central United
and South Auckland Rangers
, the last remaining ethnic club in Auckland
. Despite this, the club welcomes players of all nationalities and includes several players of non Fijian
origin on its roster.
The lingua franca
spoken by the players during games is Fijian Hindi with English
generally only spoken to players of a non Fijian origin.
The club was set for promotion to the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1
when it played the 2009 promotion match with Papatoetoe AFC. In spectacular fashion, over half of the first team roster made themselves unavailable after accepting invitations to play in a Fijian-Indian football tournament in Los Angeles
, USA on the same weekend. Not surprisingly, the club lost out on promotion.
The team always says a pray in a huddle in the changing room before each game.
The year 2009 was a season of sorts. After losing 8 games in the first round and sitting second to last at the wrong end of the standings, relegation looked inevitable. The signing of Kindness Agwu and David Firisua plus the newly found form of Justin Fredickson and Safraz Ali marked a turn-around for the club. The team went on an amazing 14 games undefeated (drawing only twice) to close out the season in 4th place.
The club has played in the Norther Premier League 3 times before (2004, 2005, 2006) with its best placing an 8th out of 14 teams in 2004.
The club's best record in the Chatham Cup
is reaching the last 16 in 2004. It lost 1-2 to Waitakere United
.
Mangere United are the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2
2010 Champions.
Vishal Lal - Played for Fiji
at U17 (1999 U17 World Cup Oceania qualifiers) and national futsal level. Sumendra Pooni - Played for Fiji at U17 (1999 U17 World Cup Oceania qualifiers) level. Justin Fredrickson - Played for New Zealand
at U16 and U17 level. Naveen Prasad - Played for New Zealand
at U16 and U17 level. Stu Bola - Played for Fiji at senior level. David Firisua
- Played for Solomon Islands
at senior level. Johnny Worley - Played for New Zealand at Secondary Schools level. Surfsraz Ali Akbar - Played for Fiji at U17,U19,U21 and U-23.
Mangere
Māngere is one of the larger suburbs in South Auckland, in northern New Zealand.The suburb is located on flat land at the northeastern shore of the Manukau Harbour, to the northwest of the centre of Manukau city and 15 kilometres south of Auckland city centre...
, Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
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...
. It is a member of No.2 District Federation of NZ Soccer
Soccer in New Zealand
Association football, also known as football or soccer, is a popular recreation sport in New Zealand. The sport is administered in New Zealand by the governing body New Zealand Football ....
(Soccer2) and plays in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2
Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2
The Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2 is a New Zealand Association football semi-professional status league competition that is run by the Auckland Football Federation and includes soccer clubs located in the northern part of the North Island, New Zealand. It is open to clubs from the Northland,...
.
History
In 2000 it became evident that there was a large Fijian Indian population in AucklandAuckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
including young men who played or wished to play football with an established club. The founders of the club then saw the need for a football club in Auckland to provide players of Fijian
Fijian people
Fijian people are the major indigenous people of the Fiji Islands, and live in an area informally called Melanesia. The Fijian people are believed to have arrived in Fiji from western Melanesia approximately 3,500 years ago, though the exact origins of the Fijian people are unknown...
origin and chose Mangere
Mangere
Māngere is one of the larger suburbs in South Auckland, in northern New Zealand.The suburb is located on flat land at the northeastern shore of the Manukau Harbour, to the northwest of the centre of Manukau city and 15 kilometres south of Auckland city centre...
as a suitable location due to the concentration of Fijian Indian's in the area. The founders of the Club are Mr Mohammed Imran (president), Mr James Kado (secretary), Mr Patrick Herman (former manager) and Mr Ramu Prasad (former coach).
Playing strip and emblem
The founders decided on a black strip because no other club in Auckland seemed to use those colours. Coincidentally, it also includes one colour of the FijiFiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
an national football team kit.
The Fijian Indian element can be seen on their emblem with a Fijian whale tooth carving holding a prominent place.
Background
The club has a distinctly Fijian-Indian feel with the majority of players having a Fijian-Indian origin, being either born in Fiji or resided or recently moved to New Zealand. Due to that, the style of play often resembles creative passing, strong running and exciting football to watch.The only other successful New Zealand football clubs with ethnic origins are Wellington Olympic AFC (Greek), Central United
Central United
Central United Football Club is a semi-professional Association football club based in Sandringham, Auckland, New Zealand...
(Croatian) and to some extent Wellington United
Wellington United
Wellington United AFC is an association football club in Wellington, New Zealand competing in the Capital Premier League.-Wellington Diamond United:Wellington Diamond United was the result of the merger of Diamond and Zealandia/Wellington United in 1968....
(Dutch and - historically - Hungarian).
Home Ground
The club's home ground is Centre Park in MangereMangere
Māngere is one of the larger suburbs in South Auckland, in northern New Zealand.The suburb is located on flat land at the northeastern shore of the Manukau Harbour, to the northwest of the centre of Manukau city and 15 kilometres south of Auckland city centre...
, Manukau
Manukau
Manukau City was a large territorial authority in Auckland, New Zealand. The city was sometimes referred to as South Auckland, but this term did not possess official recognition and did not encompass areas like East Auckland, which was previously within the official boundaries of Manukau City...
. It previously housed a club rooms but was burnt down in 2005. Plans are underway for a major renovation of the ground which would see a small stadium/seating area being built. It is hoped the ground will one day be the home of ethnic and Fijian tournaments in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
.
Mangere United's alternative ground is Walter Massey Park, Manukau
Manukau
Manukau City was a large territorial authority in Auckland, New Zealand. The city was sometimes referred to as South Auckland, but this term did not possess official recognition and did not encompass areas like East Auckland, which was previously within the official boundaries of Manukau City...
.
Derby
While there are many other football clubs in close proximity to the club, a loose derby exists with Onehunga-Mangere UnitedOnehunga-Mangere United
Onehunga-Mangere United is an semi-professional association football club in Mangere Bridge, New Zealand. They currently compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1.-History:The club was formed in 1921...
due to name and location similarities between the clubs. In the derby context, Mangere United is known as Onehunga-Mangere United
Onehunga-Mangere United
Onehunga-Mangere United is an semi-professional association football club in Mangere Bridge, New Zealand. They currently compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1.-History:The club was formed in 1921...
's cousins from the valley (Onehunga-Mangere United
Onehunga-Mangere United
Onehunga-Mangere United is an semi-professional association football club in Mangere Bridge, New Zealand. They currently compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1.-History:The club was formed in 1921...
's home ground being on top of an extinct volcano).
Interesting facts
Mangere United's war cry commences before each game without fail. It includes all players entering into a huddle immediately prior to kick off on the field each player placing one hand in the centre and counting down from 3 to then yell "Mangere!" while thrusting hands into the sky.It is, along with Central United
Central United
Central United Football Club is a semi-professional Association football club based in Sandringham, Auckland, New Zealand...
and South Auckland Rangers
South Auckland Rangers
South Auckland Rangers is an association football club in New Zealand. Affiliated to Auckland Football Association.The club started as the Otara Rangers in 1973...
, the last remaining ethnic club in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
. Despite this, the club welcomes players of all nationalities and includes several players of non Fijian
Fijian people
Fijian people are the major indigenous people of the Fiji Islands, and live in an area informally called Melanesia. The Fijian people are believed to have arrived in Fiji from western Melanesia approximately 3,500 years ago, though the exact origins of the Fijian people are unknown...
origin on its roster.
The lingua franca
Lingua franca
A lingua franca is a language systematically used to make communication possible between people not sharing a mother tongue, in particular when it is a third language, distinct from both mother tongues.-Characteristics:"Lingua franca" is a functionally defined term, independent of the linguistic...
spoken by the players during games is Fijian Hindi with English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
generally only spoken to players of a non Fijian origin.
The club was set for promotion to the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1
Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1
The Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1 is a New Zealand Association football semi-professional status league competition that is run by the Auckland Football Federation and includes soccer clubs located in the northern part of the North Island, New Zealand...
when it played the 2009 promotion match with Papatoetoe AFC. In spectacular fashion, over half of the first team roster made themselves unavailable after accepting invitations to play in a Fijian-Indian football tournament in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, USA on the same weekend. Not surprisingly, the club lost out on promotion.
The team always says a pray in a huddle in the changing room before each game.
The year 2009 was a season of sorts. After losing 8 games in the first round and sitting second to last at the wrong end of the standings, relegation looked inevitable. The signing of Kindness Agwu and David Firisua plus the newly found form of Justin Fredickson and Safraz Ali marked a turn-around for the club. The team went on an amazing 14 games undefeated (drawing only twice) to close out the season in 4th place.
Honours
In 2001 the club won the Northern League Division Three. In 2002 the club won the Northern League Division Two.The club has played in the Norther Premier League 3 times before (2004, 2005, 2006) with its best placing an 8th out of 14 teams in 2004.
The club's best record in the Chatham Cup
Chatham Cup
The Chatham Cup, currently known as the ASB Chatham Cup for sponsorship purposes, is New Zealand's premier knockout tournament in men's football...
is reaching the last 16 in 2004. It lost 1-2 to Waitakere United
Waitakere United
Waitakere United is a football club based in Waitakere City, New Zealand. They are one of the franchises in the ASB Premiership. They play their home games at Fred Taylor Park in Kumeu.-History:...
.
Mangere United are the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2
Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2
The Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2 is a New Zealand Association football semi-professional status league competition that is run by the Auckland Football Federation and includes soccer clubs located in the northern part of the North Island, New Zealand. It is open to clubs from the Northland,...
2010 Champions.
Notable players
Mangere United has several former and current players who have represented their country at various levels:Vishal Lal - Played for Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
at U17 (1999 U17 World Cup Oceania qualifiers) and national futsal level. Sumendra Pooni - Played for Fiji at U17 (1999 U17 World Cup Oceania qualifiers) level. Justin Fredrickson - Played for New Zealand
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...
at U16 and U17 level. Naveen Prasad - Played for New Zealand
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...
at U16 and U17 level. Stu Bola - Played for Fiji at senior level. David Firisua
David Firisua
David Firisua is a Solomon Islands professional footballer, who is currently playing for Central United in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Premier.-Career:...
- Played for Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
at senior level. Johnny Worley - Played for New Zealand at Secondary Schools level. Surfsraz Ali Akbar - Played for Fiji at U17,U19,U21 and U-23.