Waikato FC
Waikato FC was formed in 2004 specifically to contest the newly formed New Zealand Football Championship played over summer. For the first two seasons it was headed by manager James Pamment and his coach, Declan Edge, with Waikato Stadium the home base.
In 2006-07 Dave Edmondson – who had travelled north from Lower Hutt – got the coaching job, with Ray Pooley his assistant. But after six winless matches Edmondson resigned, Pooley held the fort for a couple of matches, and former Waikato United coach Roger Wilkinson returned to Hamilton to take over as coach, but Waikato again finished seventh.
In 2007-08 Waikato improved to fifth place, with Wilkinson again at the helm, with Mark Cossey as his assistant. Keith Ward was chairman, Joe Sprangers development manager, and James Raffan operations manager.
In 2008-09 Waikato appointed Kevin Fallon as coach. However club financial problems meant he never took the helm on a competitive match, and Dave Edmondson returned to do the job for free. Waikato made Centennial Park in Ngaruawahia its base for the season, and it drew enthusiastic backing, with many of the football community there taking a week off work to conduct a working bee to get the ground up to standard with fences and seating installed.
Edmondson’s squad was put together at relatively short notice but it was effective, and Waikato were league leaders at Christmas time, but faded to finish sixth. With Edmondson unavailable the following summer, founding Waikato skipper Che Bunce was appointed player-coach, with the team again based at Ngaruawahia - and finishign bottom. The board consisted of Charlie Panakera, (chairman), Chris Ryan, Maxine Williams, Brendon Coker, and Mohammed Hassan, while James Raffan was operations manager.
In 2010-11 North Shore-based Willie Gerdsen was appointed coach, with Waikato shifting their home base to Fred Jones Park – adjacent to Waikato Stadium. Brendon Coker succeeded Charlie Panakera as chairman.
In 2011-12 Dave Edmondson was appointed coach, but departed for a full-time football job in Adelaide before the season started. Declan Edge, the youth team coach, was promoted to replace him and he largely based his team around young players from his private academy. Edge's assistants were Danny Donegan and Neil Mouncher, with Graeme Nobilo team manager. Once again Waikato finished sixth.
In 2012-13 Edge was reappointed but sacked before Christmas with Mark Cossey taking over. At the conclusion of the season Waikato FC invited the Waikato-BOP federation to take over administration of the franchise. They did so, changig the name to WaiBop United, and appointing Peter Smith as coach.
In 2006-07 Dave Edmondson – who had travelled north from Lower Hutt – got the coaching job, with Ray Pooley his assistant. But after six winless matches Edmondson resigned, Pooley held the fort for a couple of matches, and former Waikato United coach Roger Wilkinson returned to Hamilton to take over as coach, but Waikato again finished seventh.
In 2007-08 Waikato improved to fifth place, with Wilkinson again at the helm, with Mark Cossey as his assistant. Keith Ward was chairman, Joe Sprangers development manager, and James Raffan operations manager.
In 2008-09 Waikato appointed Kevin Fallon as coach. However club financial problems meant he never took the helm on a competitive match, and Dave Edmondson returned to do the job for free. Waikato made Centennial Park in Ngaruawahia its base for the season, and it drew enthusiastic backing, with many of the football community there taking a week off work to conduct a working bee to get the ground up to standard with fences and seating installed.
Edmondson’s squad was put together at relatively short notice but it was effective, and Waikato were league leaders at Christmas time, but faded to finish sixth. With Edmondson unavailable the following summer, founding Waikato skipper Che Bunce was appointed player-coach, with the team again based at Ngaruawahia - and finishign bottom. The board consisted of Charlie Panakera, (chairman), Chris Ryan, Maxine Williams, Brendon Coker, and Mohammed Hassan, while James Raffan was operations manager.
In 2010-11 North Shore-based Willie Gerdsen was appointed coach, with Waikato shifting their home base to Fred Jones Park – adjacent to Waikato Stadium. Brendon Coker succeeded Charlie Panakera as chairman.
In 2011-12 Dave Edmondson was appointed coach, but departed for a full-time football job in Adelaide before the season started. Declan Edge, the youth team coach, was promoted to replace him and he largely based his team around young players from his private academy. Edge's assistants were Danny Donegan and Neil Mouncher, with Graeme Nobilo team manager. Once again Waikato finished sixth.
In 2012-13 Edge was reappointed but sacked before Christmas with Mark Cossey taking over. At the conclusion of the season Waikato FC invited the Waikato-BOP federation to take over administration of the franchise. They did so, changig the name to WaiBop United, and appointing Peter Smith as coach.
2004-05 New Zealand Football Championship
The NZFC began with high hopes, and Waikato back at top domestic level for the first time since 1999 (North Island League). Waikato FC had a tidy, well presented programme with production overseen by Dwayne Barlow, and editorial input from Bruce Holloway. Excellent columns from James Pamment.
Waikato FC: Michael Utting, Che Bunce, LJ Pijnenburg, Shaun Easthope, Cameron Jones, Garry Board, Craig Flowerday, Clinton Boyle, Brett Derry, Colin Gardyne, Nathan Fry, Sam Messam, Aaron Scott, Anees Khan, Adam Crump, Michael Mayne, Sam Wilkinson, Brent Mayhew, Cole Tinkler, Mark Fulcher, Joshua Mattock, David Samson, Quinn Neely-Gallagher, Adrian Biundo, Nathan Holten, James Pamment.
The NZFC began with high hopes, and Waikato back at top domestic level for the first time since 1999 (North Island League). Waikato FC had a tidy, well presented programme with production overseen by Dwayne Barlow, and editorial input from Bruce Holloway. Excellent columns from James Pamment.
Waikato FC: Michael Utting, Che Bunce, LJ Pijnenburg, Shaun Easthope, Cameron Jones, Garry Board, Craig Flowerday, Clinton Boyle, Brett Derry, Colin Gardyne, Nathan Fry, Sam Messam, Aaron Scott, Anees Khan, Adam Crump, Michael Mayne, Sam Wilkinson, Brent Mayhew, Cole Tinkler, Mark Fulcher, Joshua Mattock, David Samson, Quinn Neely-Gallagher, Adrian Biundo, Nathan Holten, James Pamment.
Waikato FC v Waitakere United Monday October 25 2004
The message from chairman Clive Morgan and football manager James Pamment in the club's first home programme.
The message from chairman Clive Morgan and football manager James Pamment in the club's first home programme.
Waikato FC v Waitakere United, October 25, 2004
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Waikato FC v Canterbury, October 30 2004
Pamment's Patter: column from football manager James Pamment
Pamment's Patter: column from football manager James Pamment
Waikato FC v Canterbury, October 30 2004
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Waikato FC v Team Wellington, November 6, 2004
Up Front: Editorial by programme editor Bruce Holloway
Up Front: Editorial by programme editor Bruce Holloway
v Team Wellington, November 6 2004
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Waikato FC v Napier City, November 20 2004
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Waikato FC v Otago United, December 4, 2004
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Waikato FC v Napier City, January 16 2005
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Waikato FC v Waitakere United, January 21 2005
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
v Central United, January 25, 2005
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Waikato FC v Manawatu, February 5 2005
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Waikato FC v Auckland City, Friday February 18 2005
The message from chairman Clive Morgan and football manager James Pamment for the club's last home programme of the summer.
The message from chairman Clive Morgan and football manager James Pamment for the club's last home programme of the summer.
v Auckland City, February 18, 2005
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Days Like These feature... Ron Anorak trawls back through the archives of this week in Waikato soccer
Goalscoring and appearance stats for the 2004-05 season.
From the programme v Auckland City, February 18, 2005
From the programme v Auckland City, February 18, 2005
The 2004-05 squad numbers to make sense of the above appearance stats.
2005-06 NZFC
This was another very tidy 20-page programme (including a cover pre-supplied by the league and over-printed with matchday details). Features included an editorial by Bruce Holloway, a lively column by James Pamment, a regular Player Profile, a segment about the opposition and Ron Anorak's column on "This week in Waikato soccer history". One of the better Waikato programmes.
Waikato FC: Mark Fulcher, Che Bunce, LJ Pijnenburg, Danny Donegan, Shane Hooks, Grant Cooper, Colin Gardyne, Matt Williams, Nathan Robertson, Hindrich Hahn, Jakub Sinkora, Stu Watene, Mike De Vetter, Aaron Scott, Brent Mayhew, Adam Crump, David Samson, Stu Wilson, Eddie Trubshoe. Coaches: James Pamment, Declan Edge.
This was another very tidy 20-page programme (including a cover pre-supplied by the league and over-printed with matchday details). Features included an editorial by Bruce Holloway, a lively column by James Pamment, a regular Player Profile, a segment about the opposition and Ron Anorak's column on "This week in Waikato soccer history". One of the better Waikato programmes.
Waikato FC: Mark Fulcher, Che Bunce, LJ Pijnenburg, Danny Donegan, Shane Hooks, Grant Cooper, Colin Gardyne, Matt Williams, Nathan Robertson, Hindrich Hahn, Jakub Sinkora, Stu Watene, Mike De Vetter, Aaron Scott, Brent Mayhew, Adam Crump, David Samson, Stu Wilson, Eddie Trubshoe. Coaches: James Pamment, Declan Edge.
2005-06 NZFC, Cordwainer Bull column
Cordwainer Bull columns were often provocative, as with this one on the All Time Worst National League XI, v Auckland City, December 11, 2005 (Click to enlarge)
Cordwainer Bull columns were often provocative, as with this one on the All Time Worst National League XI, v Auckland City, December 11, 2005 (Click to enlarge)
2005-06 NZFC another Bull column
2006-07 NZFC
Featured often quirky editorial by James Raffan and columns by senior players Matt Williams and Paul Caton. And a column by chairman Keith Ward, and comment by coach Dave Edmondson until he resigned following the arrest of three players during a late night during the away trip to Napier. 20 pages, including league-standard cover. Ray Pooley was stand-in coach before Roger Wilkinson was appointed three weeks later.
In the pictured programme Ward reflected on being bottom of the league: "Some of our players are very competent at the highest level; others are plainly struggling, but the exposure absolutely gives them an insight into how much they need to improve in terms of technical skill, fitness and attitude. Some will survive, others may not, but at least we are giving them the opportunity to aspire to give things a go and a pathway to higher things."
Waikato FC: Danny Robinson, Grant Cooper, Tim Schaeffers, Matt Cunneen, David Samson, Matthew Butler, Stu Wilson, Godwin Bebeu, Matt Williams, Brad Scott, Brent Mayhew, Paul Caton, Aaron Scott, Daryl Gibbs, Stanley Waita, Michael Mayne, Sam Butler, Nils Reardon, Nathan Holten, Jordan Culpepper, Scott Burgess, Mark Brind.
Featured often quirky editorial by James Raffan and columns by senior players Matt Williams and Paul Caton. And a column by chairman Keith Ward, and comment by coach Dave Edmondson until he resigned following the arrest of three players during a late night during the away trip to Napier. 20 pages, including league-standard cover. Ray Pooley was stand-in coach before Roger Wilkinson was appointed three weeks later.
In the pictured programme Ward reflected on being bottom of the league: "Some of our players are very competent at the highest level; others are plainly struggling, but the exposure absolutely gives them an insight into how much they need to improve in terms of technical skill, fitness and attitude. Some will survive, others may not, but at least we are giving them the opportunity to aspire to give things a go and a pathway to higher things."
Waikato FC: Danny Robinson, Grant Cooper, Tim Schaeffers, Matt Cunneen, David Samson, Matthew Butler, Stu Wilson, Godwin Bebeu, Matt Williams, Brad Scott, Brent Mayhew, Paul Caton, Aaron Scott, Daryl Gibbs, Stanley Waita, Michael Mayne, Sam Butler, Nils Reardon, Nathan Holten, Jordan Culpepper, Scott Burgess, Mark Brind.
Waikato FC v Youngheart Manawatu, November 12, 2006
On The Road With Waikato: Programme editor James Raffan gives his take on an away trip with the team to Kiwitea St.
On The Road With Waikato: Programme editor James Raffan gives his take on an away trip with the team to Kiwitea St.
2006-07 P16 of the Waikato FC programme
Displaying a club graphic featuring Matt Williams, Paul Caton and David Samson.
Displaying a club graphic featuring Matt Williams, Paul Caton and David Samson.
Waikato FC v Canterbury United, December 10, 2006
Column from Waikato FC development manager Joe Sprangers, in which he acknowledges the events of the previous week, in which three players were arrested on the away trip to Napier, and the subsequent resignation of coach Dave Edmondson.
Column from Waikato FC development manager Joe Sprangers, in which he acknowledges the events of the previous week, in which three players were arrested on the away trip to Napier, and the subsequent resignation of coach Dave Edmondson.
Waikato FC v Auckland City, January 7 2007
Waikato board member profiles
Waikato board member profiles
2007-08 NZFC
Waikato FC, coached by Roger Wilkinson, had a squad which included Danny Robinson - stretched taller than even he would have liked on this cover. 16 inside pages, including columns from chairman Keith Ward, development manager Joe Sprangers, and editor James Raffan.
Waikato FC: Danny Robinson, David Samson, Hone Fowler, Tom Edwards, Aaron Scott, Sam Wilkinson, Joe Simpkins, Michael Gwyther, Luke Findley, Paul Stewart, Che Bunce, Shaun Van Rooyen, Chris Wood, Rob Gill (England), Steven Holloway, Dale Beattie (UK), Matt Friel (US) and Stanley Waita (Solomons), Scott Campbell.
Waikato FC, coached by Roger Wilkinson, had a squad which included Danny Robinson - stretched taller than even he would have liked on this cover. 16 inside pages, including columns from chairman Keith Ward, development manager Joe Sprangers, and editor James Raffan.
Waikato FC: Danny Robinson, David Samson, Hone Fowler, Tom Edwards, Aaron Scott, Sam Wilkinson, Joe Simpkins, Michael Gwyther, Luke Findley, Paul Stewart, Che Bunce, Shaun Van Rooyen, Chris Wood, Rob Gill (England), Steven Holloway, Dale Beattie (UK), Matt Friel (US) and Stanley Waita (Solomons), Scott Campbell.
2008-09 NZFC
Dave Edmondson took the helm after cash-strapped Waikato FC could not afford previously-appointed Kevin Fallon. Centennial Park, Ngaruawahia was the home ground.
Programme 16 internal pages, including column by development manager James Raffan and editorial by Matt Laird.
Waikato FC: Jason Mann, Graham Pearce, Craig Wylie, Nathan Strom, Michael Mayne, Joel Mathews, Steven Holloway, Marco Rojas, Ben Hunt, Joe Simpkins, Paul Stewart, Stu Hogg, Daniel Rattray, Shaun Van Rooyen, Rhys Ruka, Sam Margetts, Nick Robson, Greg Walters, Matt Hastings.
Dave Edmondson took the helm after cash-strapped Waikato FC could not afford previously-appointed Kevin Fallon. Centennial Park, Ngaruawahia was the home ground.
Programme 16 internal pages, including column by development manager James Raffan and editorial by Matt Laird.
Waikato FC: Jason Mann, Graham Pearce, Craig Wylie, Nathan Strom, Michael Mayne, Joel Mathews, Steven Holloway, Marco Rojas, Ben Hunt, Joe Simpkins, Paul Stewart, Stu Hogg, Daniel Rattray, Shaun Van Rooyen, Rhys Ruka, Sam Margetts, Nick Robson, Greg Walters, Matt Hastings.
2009-10 NZFC
Waikato were back at Ngaruawahia, but with Che Bunce as the new coach, and Kevin O'Leary his assistant. This was an ambitious programme with full colour on most pages, James Raffan edited, with layout by Print House, and photography from Sandy MacDonald. 20 pages including league-standard cover.
Waikato FC finished bottom of the league for the first time.
On the subject of the cover, from a Waikato perspective it was irritating to see a home programme boasting Auckland City captain Ivan Vicelich holding the trophy.
Waikato FC: Sean Dowling, Che Bunce, Richard Beard, Charlie Hoyle, Joe Simpkins, Jason Chewins, Tewi Te Pou, David Samson, Mikael Munday, Sam Wilkinson, Sean Van Rooyen, Daniel Peat, Paul Stewart, Corey Hitchens, Alex Barlow, Maurie Wasi, Alex Carr, Scott Robinson.
Waikato were back at Ngaruawahia, but with Che Bunce as the new coach, and Kevin O'Leary his assistant. This was an ambitious programme with full colour on most pages, James Raffan edited, with layout by Print House, and photography from Sandy MacDonald. 20 pages including league-standard cover.
Waikato FC finished bottom of the league for the first time.
On the subject of the cover, from a Waikato perspective it was irritating to see a home programme boasting Auckland City captain Ivan Vicelich holding the trophy.
Waikato FC: Sean Dowling, Che Bunce, Richard Beard, Charlie Hoyle, Joe Simpkins, Jason Chewins, Tewi Te Pou, David Samson, Mikael Munday, Sam Wilkinson, Sean Van Rooyen, Daniel Peat, Paul Stewart, Corey Hitchens, Alex Barlow, Maurie Wasi, Alex Carr, Scott Robinson.
2009-10 centrepage
Click photo to enlarge
Click photo to enlarge
2011-12 ASB Premiership
After lobbying from clubs (or franchises if you like), the competition was renamed as the ASB Premiership. Waikato were playing at Porritt Stadium, under coach Declan Edge, who took the reins at short notice after Dave Edmondson picked up a full-time post in Adelaide. Edge added an always topical column, but the layout seldom made best use of the available space, with tiny print and big white empty spaces.
Waikato finished seventh in the league, winning two matches: away to Otago and bottom-placed Manawatu,.
Waikato FC: Mark Fulcher, Tyler Lissette, Jessie Smith, Mohammed Awad, David Samson, Mike Kramer, Jason Hicks, Matteo Ballan, Adam Thomas, Max Tommy, Josh Greene, Jesse Edge, Raymond How, Michael Mayne, Harry Edge, Tyler Boyd, Adam Wallis, Jordan Shaw, Ryan Thomas, Neil Mouncher.
After lobbying from clubs (or franchises if you like), the competition was renamed as the ASB Premiership. Waikato were playing at Porritt Stadium, under coach Declan Edge, who took the reins at short notice after Dave Edmondson picked up a full-time post in Adelaide. Edge added an always topical column, but the layout seldom made best use of the available space, with tiny print and big white empty spaces.
Waikato finished seventh in the league, winning two matches: away to Otago and bottom-placed Manawatu,.
Waikato FC: Mark Fulcher, Tyler Lissette, Jessie Smith, Mohammed Awad, David Samson, Mike Kramer, Jason Hicks, Matteo Ballan, Adam Thomas, Max Tommy, Josh Greene, Jesse Edge, Raymond How, Michael Mayne, Harry Edge, Tyler Boyd, Adam Wallis, Jordan Shaw, Ryan Thomas, Neil Mouncher.
2012-13 ASB Premiership
Edge again at the helm, Waikato mostly playing at Porritt Stadium, with squad including Adam Thomas, Sam Margetts, Rory Turner and Sam Jasper. Programme 16 inside pages, including The Soccer Shop Kid's Page, and a Cordwainer Bull column.
Edge was sacked halfway through the season after a string of losses and replaced by Mark Cossey. Edge then dragged away all the players he had influence over, but Waikato racked up three wins to finish sixth on the table, an improvement of one place from the previous summer.
Waikato FC: Matt Upton, Josh Greene, Eder Franchini, Sam Jasper, Robbie Greenhalgh, Rory Turner, Jack Hobson-McVeigh, Sam Margetts, Elliott Collier, Alexi Caroama Varela, Dave Parkinson, Adam Luque, Raymond How, Jordan Shaw, Hone Fowler, Mark Jones, Sunny Singh, Jesse Edge, Mohammed Awad, Ryan Thomas, Adam Wallis, Adam Thomas, Harry Edge, Jordan Shaw, Michael Kramer, Jessie Smith.
Edge again at the helm, Waikato mostly playing at Porritt Stadium, with squad including Adam Thomas, Sam Margetts, Rory Turner and Sam Jasper. Programme 16 inside pages, including The Soccer Shop Kid's Page, and a Cordwainer Bull column.
Edge was sacked halfway through the season after a string of losses and replaced by Mark Cossey. Edge then dragged away all the players he had influence over, but Waikato racked up three wins to finish sixth on the table, an improvement of one place from the previous summer.
Waikato FC: Matt Upton, Josh Greene, Eder Franchini, Sam Jasper, Robbie Greenhalgh, Rory Turner, Jack Hobson-McVeigh, Sam Margetts, Elliott Collier, Alexi Caroama Varela, Dave Parkinson, Adam Luque, Raymond How, Jordan Shaw, Hone Fowler, Mark Jones, Sunny Singh, Jesse Edge, Mohammed Awad, Ryan Thomas, Adam Wallis, Adam Thomas, Harry Edge, Jordan Shaw, Michael Kramer, Jessie Smith.