NUAFC 1968-2018

1983
1983 Ngaruawahia-AFFCo United, Waikato Division 2
Rear: Owen Allison, Dean Puncheon, Rodney Hill, Peter Magee, Shane Whatford.
Middle: Jeff Tozer (Coach), Keith Middleton, Mark Webb, Brian Morris, Graeme MacDonald, Eddie Callaghan (Manager).
Kneeling: Kerry McKee, Paul Phillips, Eddie Callaghan, Steve Buchanan (Captain), Joe Wright, Brian Webb.
Absent: S Brown, F Hewthorst.
The season opened with the Waikato breweries Cup, in which the team
had a very mixed run, losing the first two then, inexplicably, throwing away an
easy win for a draw at Tokoroa. They cruised to their best win of the year
against Huntly Blue and had a real fight against Hamilton before a good win.
In between we lost to Hillcrest and Putaruru. The local derby versus
Taupiri wound up that competition when, after 1-1 at the break, it all
collapsed for an easy Taupiri win. If we had had a little more practice and
match attendance by more players, the team may develop into a good one.
Waikato 2nd Division
The second competition, the Waitemata Cup, opened with a dismal
display at Te Aroha but with a much better effort at home against Marist.
We still cannot understand how they got both points when having
fielded a Hamilton player? With 10 men at Putaruru we gave a gritty
display but that was quickly forgotten at Unicol where we gave a dismal
display of footballing ability and sportsmanship! The rest of the season is
reflected in the match-notes with the season ending in Putaruru edging
us out of the Knockout in extra time.
PHILLIP BULLIVANT
What can you say? Life—blood of the team, prolific goal scorer now with
the Reserve Team. Likes to link with Little Webby and has an enormous
capacity for running and work. He also likes to Rally Drive now and then
and has often been referred to in print as 'Bully—For—Phil'.
JOE WRIGHT
A colourful sort of chap who likes to think he can play darts (doesn't do too
bad either!). He coaches the Club's most successful team, the 11th B. Joe has
been side-lined with injury for the best part of the season, but loves to
support all teams as well as the bar!
PETER MORRIS
Transferred across from Melville this year. A fiery chap, this one! Tried to take
on Putaruru single—handed! He used to drive the Black Bullet, but has moved
down to something a little more sedate. There is no truth in the rumour that
he sleeps on the woodwork. Likes to pull off fancy saves (from back—
passes), but usually ends up plucking the ball out of the net!
RALPH WALLACE
In a brief stint as striker he scored two goals! One would defy any keeper to
come out and dive at this chap's feet (size 20, I think!). Managed to spend
quite some time getting home from Te Kuiti one Saturday — nothing to do
with vehicular difficulties, either.
STEVE BUCHANAN
A tenacious defender likened to a terrier, and a Narra man all the way. He
dislodged his knee at Te Aroha [not mountain—climbing, surely?]! This
allowed him plenty of time at home with his wife, instead of courting a
football! Captain of the team, he returned for the last few matches of the
season.
BRIAN WEBB
(The lad with numerous nick—names). The smallest body
in the team (but his feet nevertheless reached the ground), and
arguably the smallest member in the club, 7th Graders not excepted! His
favourite move is to run through the opposition, not around them!
This action is particularly easy when the grass is long! He abdicated from
the 2nd Division to take on the Youth Team late in the season.
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