Tokoroa AFC
Tokoroa AFC was formed in 1955, originally as Kinleith United, with the name change coming in 1961.
It first entered the northern league in 1970 and won three titles: Division 2B in 1970, Division 4 in 1977, and Division 3 in 1985.
In the 70s and 80s the club generally prospered as Tokoroa boomed as a NZ Forest products mill town, and a population bordering 20,000, though by the time it departed the northern league in 1998 the town's population would have shrunk to less than 50 per cent of that.
It first entered the northern league in 1970 and won three titles: Division 2B in 1970, Division 4 in 1977, and Division 3 in 1985.
In the 70s and 80s the club generally prospered as Tokoroa boomed as a NZ Forest products mill town, and a population bordering 20,000, though by the time it departed the northern league in 1998 the town's population would have shrunk to less than 50 per cent of that.
1984 3rd division northern league, v Kawerau
A tough season for Tokoroa as they finished bottom of the 3rd division.
At the time the club had 38 junior teams, an U17 team, a women's team and a relatively young northern league team..
Tokoroa northern league squad: Richard Packwood, Darren Nicholas, Richard Grooms, Michael Fitzgerald, Randall Leacock, John Slater, Ricvard Shannon, Gordon Caldwell, Bob Mutter, Stevie Shaw, Kevin Fitzgerald, Shaun Parkinson, Brian Fitzgerald.
A tough season for Tokoroa as they finished bottom of the 3rd division.
At the time the club had 38 junior teams, an U17 team, a women's team and a relatively young northern league team..
Tokoroa northern league squad: Richard Packwood, Darren Nicholas, Richard Grooms, Michael Fitzgerald, Randall Leacock, John Slater, Ricvard Shannon, Gordon Caldwell, Bob Mutter, Stevie Shaw, Kevin Fitzgerald, Shaun Parkinson, Brian Fitzgerald.
The 8-page programme featured the names of all Tokoroa players for all teams playing on the day.
July 24, 1984 v Kelston
In this issue a photo four members of the Tokoroa women's team with coach Allen Barton. From left, Lynette Irwin, Sonya Vondervoort, Tina Barton and Sandra Joseph.
In this issue a photo four members of the Tokoroa women's team with coach Allen Barton. From left, Lynette Irwin, Sonya Vondervoort, Tina Barton and Sandra Joseph.
April 27, 1985 Chatham Cup v Waikato Unicol
The lineups for a Cup tie, which Tokoroa won 4-1 against a Unicol team from the division above.
The lineups for a Cup tie, which Tokoroa won 4-1 against a Unicol team from the division above.
May 4 1985 v Waiuku, northern league division 3
Bobby Mutter's Tokoroa had their best season in the northern league in 1985, winning the third division by a massive seven points.
And their programme was christened with a name: On Target: "the official bulletin of the Green Machine". 8 pages, with most issues printed on green paper.
Feedback in the following issue (v Papakura City, Chatham Cup):
The first issue of ON TARGET has had better reviews than that which would normally be associated with a Hollywood gossip column. First there was that article that suggested there was insurrection within the junior committee. We can however assure our readers that Mr Coulter is firmly in control as chairman and that other aspirant, Mrs Christine LennAN, is indeed altogether fictitious. Mrs Christine LennON is the treasurer of the junior committee. Secondly there was that probe into the domestic situation of the Mountford family. Mrs Val Mountford was left wondering just who Carol is, and Mr Carl Mountford was just as much in the dark regarding Carl Junior. We are pleased to report that all is well that ends well, and Carol is in fact Carl, and Carl Junior is Craig. Extremely sorry about the confusion bit at least I know that there are folk about who will read anything.
Bobby Mutter's Tokoroa had their best season in the northern league in 1985, winning the third division by a massive seven points.
And their programme was christened with a name: On Target: "the official bulletin of the Green Machine". 8 pages, with most issues printed on green paper.
Feedback in the following issue (v Papakura City, Chatham Cup):
The first issue of ON TARGET has had better reviews than that which would normally be associated with a Hollywood gossip column. First there was that article that suggested there was insurrection within the junior committee. We can however assure our readers that Mr Coulter is firmly in control as chairman and that other aspirant, Mrs Christine LennAN, is indeed altogether fictitious. Mrs Christine LennON is the treasurer of the junior committee. Secondly there was that probe into the domestic situation of the Mountford family. Mrs Val Mountford was left wondering just who Carol is, and Mr Carl Mountford was just as much in the dark regarding Carl Junior. We are pleased to report that all is well that ends well, and Carol is in fact Carl, and Carl Junior is Craig. Extremely sorry about the confusion bit at least I know that there are folk about who will read anything.
June 15 1985 v Kawerau
In the fine tradition of enthusiastic Waikato match programmes over the years, On Target editorialised (unattributed) on a massive brawl with Central players a week earlier, concluding....
"There have been many remarks in the past week as to what should happen when the Central team play in Tokoroa later in the season. The only way to prove any sort of point is for our team to take the field and give these fellows a football lesson. Anything other than that will drag our players to the level of that which offended us last week, and the love for the game will bring the ultimate reward..."
In the fine tradition of enthusiastic Waikato match programmes over the years, On Target editorialised (unattributed) on a massive brawl with Central players a week earlier, concluding....
"There have been many remarks in the past week as to what should happen when the Central team play in Tokoroa later in the season. The only way to prove any sort of point is for our team to take the field and give these fellows a football lesson. Anything other than that will drag our players to the level of that which offended us last week, and the love for the game will bring the ultimate reward..."
ABOVE: Tokoroa team photo as published in the August 24, 1985 edition of On Target, v Rotorua Suburbs
BELOW: occasional letters to the editor were features of ON Target... The writer of this one - from the September 7 1985 programme, went on to be acting editor of the Waikato Times, then editor of the Taranaki Daily News.
BELOW: occasional letters to the editor were features of ON Target... The writer of this one - from the September 7 1985 programme, went on to be acting editor of the Waikato Times, then editor of the Taranaki Daily News.