1981 New Zealand National Soccer League
Encyclopedia
The 1981 New Zealand National Soccer League was the twelfth season of a nationwide round-robin
club competition in New Zealand
football. Wellington Diamond United won the league for a second time, having previously been champions in 1976
. The league was the closest up until this point, with only four points separating the top five teams.
, Blockhouse Bay, and Nelson United
) replaced by the winners of the northern, central, and southern leagues (Takapuna City, Miramar Rangers
, and Woolston WMC respectively).
, with the best performance ever recorded by a side from the deep south. Dunedin City were one point away from achieving the league and cup double, having won the 1981 Chatham Cup
earlier in the season. City had led the league early on, but a mid-season form slump ruined their chances of taking the league. Mount Wellington also led the league for a while aften an excellent run of seven wins in which they only conceded one goal. Gisborne City
was the other team to have briefly perched on top of the league, with an unbeated run in the early weeks of the season. New Zealand's successful 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification
campaign ruined their season, however; despite being granted postponements of several matches due to the loss of several top players and coach Kevin Fallon
, they could not maintain their form once they resumed, and the backlog proved too much for them to cope with.
Fifth-placed Hanimex North Shore United
were also briefly in contention for the title, and only finished four points behind the eventual winners. With three matches to play they were being picked as possible champions, but two defeats in their last three matches saw to their hopes. Sixth place went to Christchurch United
, who set an unlikely league record with six scoreless draws during the season, including their first three matches. Tellingly, the team managed only one away win though seven of the remaining ten matches away from Christchurch were drawn. Manurewa
, like Gisborne, were granted dispensation for their heavy loss of personnel to the national side. When they resumed they lay low in the table, and even though they had several games in hand the chances olf them challenging for the prize money had evaporated. Miramar Rangers
finished their first league season comfortably but unspectacularly placed eighth. As with Eastern Suburbs in 1978
the team bolstered its ranks from England, bringing in Peter Mendham
from Norwich City
, and his six-match stint with Miramar saw them briefly enter the upper half of the table.
The lower reaches of the table contained Hamilton, who narrowly avoided relegation after a first half of the season containing just one win. They improved in the second half of the league, but were still lucky not to return to the regional leagues. Less lucky were newcomers Takapuna City and Woolston WMC. Takapuna proved experts at losing matches where they had led, having five reversals, most spectacularly a match against Woolston where they had led 3–0 before letting through five goals. A young squad paid for their inexperience, and the statistic of seven penalties awarded against them with none for them is telling. Woolston managed little better in 1981 than their previous one season in the league in 1978
, thgough at least this time they finished one place off the basement. The third Christchurch-based team in the league had the dubious honour of finishing last; it was clear that the city could not support three clubs in the league. Rangers
completed what was up until that time the worst season for any league club — no wins, only ten goals, and just five points in 22 matches.
Round-robin
The term round-robin was originally used to describe a document signed by multiple parties in a circle to make it more difficult to determine the order in which it was signed, thus preventing a ringleader from being identified...
club competition in 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...
football. Wellington Diamond United won the league for a second time, having previously been champions in 1976
1976 New Zealand National Soccer League
The 1976 New Zealand National Soccer League was the seventh season of a nationwide round-robin club competition in New Zealand football.-Promotion and relegation:...
. The league was the closest up until this point, with only four points separating the top five teams.
Promotion and relegation
Promotion was automatic, with the three lowest placed sides in the 1980 league (Stop OutStop Out
Stop Out is an association football club in Lower Hutt, New Zealand. They are based at Hutt Park, Gracefield in Lower Hutt.The Stop Out organisation was founded in 1919 with the aim of providing recreation to Te Aro Flat children associated with the wellington city missionso as to prevent them...
, Blockhouse Bay, and Nelson United
Nelson United
Nelson United is a New Zealand soccer club, based in the South Island city of Nelson. Their home ground is Guppy Park. The team was founded in 1968 through the amalgamation of Nelson Rangers and Nelson Thistle...
) replaced by the winners of the northern, central, and southern leagues (Takapuna City, 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...
, and Woolston WMC respectively).
Team performance
The league was decided by goals for only the fourth time, and for the first time neither of the top two teams came from Auckland. Wellington Diamond United's efficient, if unspectacular, style of play won the day. The team which took them all the way in the title chase was unexpectedly Dunedin CityDunedin City
Dunedin City is a former New Zealand football club based in the South Island city of Dunedin. The team won the Chatham Cup in 1981, and was a member of the National League in 1977 and 1979-87, before withdrawing from the league for financial reasons...
, with the best performance ever recorded by a side from the deep south. Dunedin City were one point away from achieving the league and cup double, having won the 1981 Chatham Cup
1981 Chatham Cup
The 1981 Chatham Cup was the 54th annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.Early stages of the competition were run in three regions , with the National League teams receiving a bye until the Fourth Round of the competition. In all, 124 teams took part in the competition...
earlier in the season. City had led the league early on, but a mid-season form slump ruined their chances of taking the league. Mount Wellington also led the league for a while aften an excellent run of seven wins in which they only conceded one goal. Gisborne City
Gisborne City
Gisborne City FC is a soccer club in Gisborne, New Zealand who play in the eastern league 1st division. Their home ground is Childers Road. They have won the National League, Air New Zealand cup, and the Chatham Cup....
was the other team to have briefly perched on top of the league, with an unbeated run in the early weeks of the season. New Zealand's successful 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification
1982 FIFA World Cup qualification
A total of 109 teams entered the 1982 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds, competing for a total of 24 spots in the final tournament, an increase from 16 in the previous World Cups...
campaign ruined their season, however; despite being granted postponements of several matches due to the loss of several top players and coach Kevin Fallon
Kevin Fallon
Kevin Fallon is an English born football coach residing in New Zealand.He started his career with Sligo Rovers in 1967. He played in 102 matches for Sligo in the League of Ireland Championship, the FAI Cup, the Shield, the City Cup and the Blaxnit All-Ireland Cup.He made his debut for Sligo in an...
, they could not maintain their form once they resumed, and the backlog proved too much for them to cope with.
Fifth-placed Hanimex 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:...
were also briefly in contention for the title, and only finished four points behind the eventual winners. With three matches to play they were being picked as possible champions, but two defeats in their last three matches saw to their hopes. Sixth place went to Christchurch United
Christchurch United
Christchurch United is a semi-professional association football club in Christchurch, New Zealand. They compete in the Robbie's Premier Football League.-Club history:...
, who set an unlikely league record with six scoreless draws during the season, including their first three matches. Tellingly, the team managed only one away win though seven of the remaining ten matches away from Christchurch were drawn. Manurewa
Manurewa (soccer)
Manurewa AFC is a semi-professional football club in Manurewa, Auckland, New Zealand. They compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1-History:...
, like Gisborne, were granted dispensation for their heavy loss of personnel to the national side. When they resumed they lay low in the table, and even though they had several games in hand the chances olf them challenging for the prize money had evaporated. 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...
finished their first league season comfortably but unspectacularly placed eighth. As with Eastern Suburbs in 1978
1978 New Zealand National Soccer League
The 1978 New Zealand National Soccer League was the ninth season of a nationwide round-robin club competition in New Zealand football. A change was made from previous years, with the replacement of goal average by goal difference as a means for ranking teams equal on points.-Promotion and...
the team bolstered its ranks from England, bringing in Peter Mendham
Peter Mendham
Peter Stanley Mendham is a former professional footballer who played for Norwich City. He was a midfielder, who played in the side that won the Milk Cup in 1985. He has two sons and a granddaughter. In February 2007, he was sentenced to seven-and-a-half years in prison for wounding with intent his...
from Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
, and his six-match stint with Miramar saw them briefly enter the upper half of the table.
The lower reaches of the table contained Hamilton, who narrowly avoided relegation after a first half of the season containing just one win. They improved in the second half of the league, but were still lucky not to return to the regional leagues. Less lucky were newcomers Takapuna City and Woolston WMC. Takapuna proved experts at losing matches where they had led, having five reversals, most spectacularly a match against Woolston where they had led 3–0 before letting through five goals. A young squad paid for their inexperience, and the statistic of seven penalties awarded against them with none for them is telling. Woolston managed little better in 1981 than their previous one season in the league in 1978
1978 New Zealand National Soccer League
The 1978 New Zealand National Soccer League was the ninth season of a nationwide round-robin club competition in New Zealand football. A change was made from previous years, with the replacement of goal average by goal difference as a means for ranking teams equal on points.-Promotion and...
, thgough at least this time they finished one place off the basement. The third Christchurch-based team in the league had the dubious honour of finishing last; it was clear that the city could not support three clubs in the league. Rangers
Rangers A.F.C.
Rangers AFC is one of the oldest still existing Canterbury football clubs located in Christchurch, New Zealand.- History :Rangers AFC was founded in 1910 by a group of dedicated players who were denied the opportunity to play on Saturday owing to the nature of their employment...
completed what was up until that time the worst season for any league club — no wins, only ten goals, and just five points in 22 matches.
League table
Sources
- Hilton, T. (1991) An association with soccer. Auckland: The New Zealand Football Association. ISBN 0-473-01291-X.