A palpable air of expectation has been hanging over Mangere Centre Park since the start of the 2013 NRFL 2 season with excited fans wondering whether this is the year in which everything comes together for Mangere United.
The South Auckland Club, a bastion of Fijian Indian football, has been impressive in its resolve thus far to reclaim the glory days of yore.
Mangere United was born at the turn of the millennium and, much to the delight of thousands of football aficionados, immediately stepped into the vacuum left by the demise of Mangere Town FC in the 1990s.
Fiery disaster
Its brand of football quickly sparked an energetic revival in the fortunes of the game and the Club managed to keep pace with the growing ambitions of its supporters with a series of title triumphs when disaster struck in 2006.
On the verge of making a charge for the premiership, Mangere United’s hopes were reduced to cinders when vandals set fire to the Clubhouse and razed it to the ground.
What followed was a story of true grit as the Club set about rebuilding itself from scratch with the help of its legion of loyal fans.
Today, the resilient Club is one of the main contenders for the NRFL 2 title, placed third after nine rounds with a match in hand on 19 points.
“We have had a good run so far and this has been possible only because of our determination over the years. We never gave up and kept trying,” Club President Feroz Hassan said.
Memerising shooter
On the field, Mangere United boasts of league’s top goal-scoring machine in El Salvadoran Ernesto Lopez, whose silky ball skills and explosive shooting have mesmerised fans.
Along with the experienced Salesh Kumar, who has proved to be the sheet anchor, the midfield duo of Mario Hofmann and James Hoyt, and the reliable Krith Kumar in goal, the Club has repeatedly underlined its title credentials.
A resounding 3-0 win over the fancied and deep-pocketed Western Springs at the half-way mark of the league two weeks ago provided more proof of Mangere United’s ascendancy, which Hassan and Daud are keen to cement with the ongoing youth programme, the first ever in the history of the Club.
“We never had a youth programme before but now we are thinking long-term and have introduced two teams for the Under-10s and Under-14s. The response, as you would imagine, has been overwhelming,” Daud said.
Coaching Camp
Mangere United has also held its first coaching camp for junior coaches, a welcome step in the right direction, while extending a helping hand to the Auckland Football Federation, courtesy sales of tickets for the Oceania Football Confederation games.
The Club’s efforts have not gone unnoticed in the wider football world.
“It is fantastic to see a club who have a strong desire to assist the Club’s coaches with their personal development and the Auckland Football Federation looks forward to working with the Club over the coming months to implement additional Junior, Youth and Senior courses from the New Zealand Football Coach Education pathway,” Steve Dillion of Auckland Football Federation said.
The Club has also launched its own website (www.mangereunited.co.nz) and enhanced its interaction with the fans by resorting to the social media domain through Twitter and Facebook.
ASB Premiership Academy Director and well-known coach Paul Temple recently tweeted: “Quality stuff coming out of Mangere United on and off the pitch. Great to see, Love the improved image.”
Daud said it was imperative that the Club has been re-modelled along professional lines for sustainable development.
“We are a small but ambitious Club by any standards. We are not a wealthy club but we hope to attract sponsors by providing a fantastic football experience to our fans and patrons,” he said.
Time will tell if this ‘fantastic football experience’ will include the coveted NRFL 2 silverware this year.
Ravi Kumar is General Manager, Mangere United Football Club.
Mangare United Facts
Mangere United is well- known for routinely drawing huge crowds over the years, some of the biggest in New Zealand football. This is a resounding testimony to its popularity and all-embracing culture.
With a fan base running into thousands, Mangere United has often proved to be the pleasing exception to the rule in a Rugby country. Mangere’s fans are known for their passionate support to the team, pulling out all stops in home-and-away games, and creating a colourful and vibrant atmosphere during the games.
The Club also has a proud tradition of being one of the main breeding grounds of football in New Zealand, keeping up a steady supply to the national sides.
Daniel Kaprovic, Andrew Gillespie and Miro Major are among the players who plied their trade at Mangere Centre Park before representing the country on the world stage. Stuart Bola, Nikola Raoma, Inoke Boseilala and Waisake Sabutu earned their spurs at Mangere United before representing Fiji in international competitions.
With the introduction of junior football in 2013, Mangere United is confident of producing the future stars of the All Whites
Mangere United Achievements Over the years
2001: NRFL 3 Champions
2002: NRFL 2 Champions
2002: Chatham Cup R16
2003: Division 1 Runners-Up (promoted to the Premiership)
2004, 2005, 2006: Premiership best finish; eighth out of 14 teams
2006: Vandals set fire to Clubhouse
2007: Eighth in Division 1 out of 11 teams
2008: Division 1 Runners-Up
2009: Fourth in Division 4
2010: Division 2 Champions
2011: Ninth in Division 2 out of 12 teams
2012: Third in Division 2 out of 12 teams
Photo :
Participants of the Mangere United Junior Coaching programme
2. The Mangere United team, which won over Western Springs
