1986 New Zealand National Soccer League
Encyclopedia
The 1986 New Zealand National Soccer League was the seventeenth season of a nationwide round-robin
club competition in New Zealand
football. Mount Wellington finished as champions, one point ahead of Miramar Rangers
.
finished last in the 1985 league, and took part in a play-off with the winners of the northern, central, and southern leagues (Takapuna City, Manawatu United, and Rangers
respectively). Palmerston North-based Manawatu United were promoted to the league, their first appearance in the top flight since 1979
There was to be no relegation at the end of the 1986 season, as it was decided to increase the size of the league to 14 teams. Auckland University were ejected from the league at the end of the season for failing to meet NZFA criteria, and three teams were promoted from the regional leagues.
One other new team appeared in the league, Wellington United
. They were formed by an amalgamation of 1985 champions Wellington Diamond United and Central league side Wellington City, who had been one of the national league's inaugural members under the name Hungaria.
, Papatoetoe
, and new composite side Wellington United
, who were formed from 1986 champions Wellington Diamond United and former league side Wellington City
. the league devolved into two groups with a large gap separating the top five from the bottom seven sides.
Mount Wellington started the season as favourites on the back of some big pre-season signings, and did not disappoint, though their season was patchy at times. They remained unbeaten at home, allowing them to finish one point and one place above Miramar Rangers
. It had looked to be Rangers' season, and they led the league until two matches from the end, but despite their last two games being at home they could not hold onto the lead, falling to a loss and a draw. Wellington United
finished third, scoring more goals than any other side and only losing one away game, but their mediocre home form cost them the title. They did record the season's top score, an 8-0 win over North Shore United
. Christchurch United
's season had similarities to Miramar's; the team was in title contention until the last three games, but they failed to win any of them and slipped to fourth. Gisborne City
completed the top group in the league. A poor start to the season hurt the club, but a mid-season rally took them within reach of the top, but not close enough to ever have more than a slim chance at the title.
Below Gisborne was a twelve point gap, effectively splitting the league in two. Of the lower group it was Papatoetoe
who finished top. Their season started badly, and at the halfway point they were bottom after picking up no wins and six draws in eleven starts. They then went on a run of seven unbeaten games to lift themselves into the middle of the table. Below the Reds were North Shore United
who battled with a depleted and inexperienced squad. Dunedin City
finished seventh for the second consecutive season. A dismal start and finish to the season were separated by a flurry of wins mid-season which was all that kept the side above the bottom few places.
The league's biggest controversy came not on the pitch but off it. Auckland University finished in ninth place, but were ejected from the league at the season's end for failing to meet the NZFA's criteria for a league side. On the pitch, their form was better than several in the league, and they were briefly fifth in mid-season. Nelson United
continued their dismal form from the end of the 1984 season, competing for almost half the season before recording a win. A better second half to the season enabled them to climb two places off the bottom of the table. Manawatu United's return to the league saw them briefly flirting with the middle of the table before a damaging second half to the season which saw them win only one game. Manurewa
also started brightly, and were in the top three after five games, but only managed two further wins all season.
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. Mount Wellington finished as champions, one point ahead of 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...
.
Promotion and relegation
Napier City RoversNapier City Rovers
Napier City Rovers are an association football team based in Napier, New Zealand. They are currently competing in the Central Premier League.-Club history:The team was founded in 1973 via a merger of Napier Rovers and Napier City....
finished last in the 1985 league, and took part in a play-off with the winners of the northern, central, and southern leagues (Takapuna City, Manawatu United, and 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...
respectively). Palmerston North-based Manawatu United were promoted to the league, their first appearance in the top flight since 1979
1979 New Zealand National Soccer League
The 1979 New Zealand National Soccer League was the tenth season of a nationwide round-robin club competition in New Zealand football. It produced the biggest winning margin in the league's history, with Mount Wellington never being in serious danger of finishing anywhere but first.-Promotion and...
There was to be no relegation at the end of the 1986 season, as it was decided to increase the size of the league to 14 teams. Auckland University were ejected from the league at the end of the season for failing to meet NZFA criteria, and three teams were promoted from the regional leagues.
One other new team appeared in the league, 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....
. They were formed by an amalgamation of 1985 champions Wellington Diamond United and Central league side Wellington City, who had been one of the national league's inaugural members under the name Hungaria.
Team performance
The 1986 season was not a vintage one for brilliant play, but did produce its share of entertainment, especially from Miramar RangersMiramar 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...
, Papatoetoe
Papatoetoe (soccer)
Papatoetoe AFC is a semi-professional football club based in Papatoetoe, New Zealand. They compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1.Former club coaches include current All Whites coach Ricki Herbert.-History:...
, and new composite side 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....
, who were formed from 1986 champions Wellington Diamond United and former league side Wellington City
Wellington City
Wellington City Council is a territorial authority in the Wellington region of New Zealand. Wellington city extends as far north as Linden, and includes the rural areas of Makara and Ohariu. It is New Zealand's third-largest city, behind Auckland and Christchurch.Wellington attained city status in...
. the league devolved into two groups with a large gap separating the top five from the bottom seven sides.
Mount Wellington started the season as favourites on the back of some big pre-season signings, and did not disappoint, though their season was patchy at times. They remained unbeaten at home, allowing them to finish one point and one place above 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...
. It had looked to be Rangers' season, and they led the league until two matches from the end, but despite their last two games being at home they could not hold onto the lead, falling to a loss and a draw. 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....
finished third, scoring more goals than any other side and only losing one away game, but their mediocre home form cost them the title. They did record the season's top score, an 8-0 win over 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:...
. 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:...
's season had similarities to Miramar's; the team was in title contention until the last three games, but they failed to win any of them and slipped to fourth. 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....
completed the top group in the league. A poor start to the season hurt the club, but a mid-season rally took them within reach of the top, but not close enough to ever have more than a slim chance at the title.
Below Gisborne was a twelve point gap, effectively splitting the league in two. Of the lower group it was Papatoetoe
Papatoetoe (soccer)
Papatoetoe AFC is a semi-professional football club based in Papatoetoe, New Zealand. They compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 1.Former club coaches include current All Whites coach Ricki Herbert.-History:...
who finished top. Their season started badly, and at the halfway point they were bottom after picking up no wins and six draws in eleven starts. They then went on a run of seven unbeaten games to lift themselves into the middle of the table. Below the Reds were 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:...
who battled with a depleted and inexperienced squad. Dunedin City
Dunedin 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...
finished seventh for the second consecutive season. A dismal start and finish to the season were separated by a flurry of wins mid-season which was all that kept the side above the bottom few places.
The league's biggest controversy came not on the pitch but off it. Auckland University finished in ninth place, but were ejected from the league at the season's end for failing to meet the NZFA's criteria for a league side. On the pitch, their form was better than several in the league, and they were briefly fifth in mid-season. 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...
continued their dismal form from the end of the 1984 season, competing for almost half the season before recording a win. A better second half to the season enabled them to climb two places off the bottom of the table. Manawatu United's return to the league saw them briefly flirting with the middle of the table before a damaging second half to the season which saw them win only one game. 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:...
also started brightly, and were in the top three after five games, but only managed two further wins all season.
League table
Sources
- Hilton, T. (1991) An association with soccer. Auckland: The New Zealand Football Association. ISBN 0-473-01291-X.