ASB Chatham Cup set to celebrate 90 years of glory

One hundred and thirty two teams will line up for the 90th year of the ASB Chatham Cup which gets underway on Anzac Day.

April 10, 2012

AUCKLAND – The competition begins with 18 fixtures in the qualification round with some of the competition's smaller clubs battling for the right to enter the main draw.

"The Chatham Cup holds a very special place in New Zealand sport," said New Zealand Football Chief Executive Grant McKavanagh.

"The early rounds are as much part of the Chatham Cup story as the business end.  Road trips, inter-city rivalries and local derbies are all part of the 90-year history of the competition and this year will be no different.
 
"It's one of the oldest competitions in the country and the knockout format throws up all sorts of drama, quirks, twists and upsets every year. Nothing creates a buzz in the clubrooms like a Chatham Cup victory," said McKavanagh.

The curiously-named Puhoi Wolfpack will host South Auckland Rangers who end a five year absence from the Cup.  Also returning to the knockout competition is Bucklands Beach who entered their U-19 side and will host Waitemata City.  Sunday League sides Nixon Park and Waitakere Rangers face long away trips to Cambridge and Taupo respectively.

The Central and Southern Regions get into full swing in Round One, but a sole qualification round fixture in each will be played.  A central derby between North End and New Plymouth Rangers will determine who advances to the competition proper, while in the top-of-the-south, newcomers Central Pirates host Wakefield FC in Blenheim.

The ASB Chatham Cup played along regional lines in early rounds, moving into an open national draw at the quarterfinal stage. The final is scheduled for September 15.

The ASB Chatham Cup’s format, like the trophy itself, is modelled on England’s FA Cup and has remained relatively unchanged over its 89 year history. It has been contested every year since 1923 apart from 1937 and three years at the end of World War Two.

Last year, Central United enhanced their reputation as one of the great clubs in the history of the ASB Chatham Cup with a 6-1 victory over Lower Hutt City in the 85th final at Wellington’s Newtown Park.

Celebrating their 50th anniversary, Central joined fellow Aucklanders Eastern Suburbs as five time winners with only University Mount Wellington, with seven titles, and six time winners North Shore United and Christchurch United above them on the honours board.

See the full draw for the ASB Chatham Cup