24 December 2004 John Adshead appointed manager of the Kingz for the new A League season. John should get things going at the club. He has worked miracles in the past. Who else could get NZ to the World Cup finals!? Plans to rename the Kingz disappoint many fanz however.

19 December The BOP men's and women's tables have finally been finalised! Check them out. Both Auckland NZFC teams had big wins today to consolidate the top two placings over 3rd and 4th (Otago & Canty). Well done to the Fed 3 U14 girls team who came equal top in their fed tournament.

7 December There is plenty of humour out there in the NZ football world. Check out this funny report of the Otago Utd win against Waikato at the weekend. Otago are currently 3rd in the NZFC and surprising many people who thought they'd be lying last!

28 November A Rangers team won the Kawerau 7 a-side tournament last weekend. Rangers beat two teams from the host club, and lost to a Whakatane team, then drew 0 - 0 with Kawerau in the final. Rangers went on to win the penalty shoot out 3 - 2. Keeper Matt Aberhart was gutted that he was the only one to miss his penalty!

1 November Good news. The Kingz are one of the eight founding teams for the Hyundai A League, kicking off in August next year. They can now start finding sponsors, coaches, players etc.

31 October The NZFC has been running a few weeks. Our most local team Waikato started well but has faded a bit lately, with consecutive home losses. Waitakere Utd is in front. Tomorrow should be an important day for the Kingz with Soccer Austraila launching its new national league. Hopefully the Kingz will be one of the eight teams accepted.
Ex-Rangers player Kerry Hawkes is getting married next week. All the best Kerry!

9 October Only a week till the new NZ national league (NZFC) kicks off. The teams are looking strong with the two Auckland clubs having a large number of NZ internationals and ex Kingz players. The NZFC has a well organised and informative website, check it out via our links page.
On the local scene, Rangers players are keeping themselves fit playing in the various summer soccer competitions at either Kawerau, Whakatane or Awakeri.

21 September NZSoccer launched the new national league tonight, the NZFC. It kicks off in mid October.
On the local scene, BOP clubs totally dominated the Federation League (check our BOP tables page). Our three teams came 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Will they, or their beaten Waikato counterparts be keen to carry on next season? To rub it in,Whakatane beat the Waikato local champ Claudelands Rovers to win the Caper Cup at the weekend.

13 September Congratulations to Tasman Cup winners TCU, Bowl winners Whakatane and the Edgecumbe juniors 10th grade team who took out the John Horsburgh tournament at the weekend.

5 September Edgecumbe Prize giving last night. Player of the Year keeper Matt Aberhart, Players' Player Bas Overdevest, Golden Boot Mark Thompson (I know, he's a defender, so he can now say rude things to the strikers for a whole season!), Personality Harley de Lacy, Sportsman Brendan Cusack, Most improved Mark Jeynes, Stirrer David Dennis.Go to the Rangers Honours Board to see all the past winners.
Thanks to Chopper, Matt and Sam for hosting the event. The Singles beat the Marrieds in the football game. Oh well , next year!

3 September Some unwelcome news from BOP Soccer centre administrator Barry Lusher..."I have been instructed by the Force Three Referees Committee to inform Edgecumbe Plains Rangers that there will be no more appointments made by them for your home fixtures until the referee changing and shower facilities are brought up to an acceptable standard.
Force Three are currently putting together a Facilities and Participation Criteria document that will apply from the 2005 season - this is to be circulated shortly to give adequate notice of standards required prior to a criteria inspection early next year."
Rangers have already responded that there are referee facilities at our umbrella club, the Edgecumbe Rugby Club. The walk of 150 metres from the ground deters some people. Hopefully this will satisfy the "criteria inspection".

31 August BOP results are now up to date again. Thanks to results officer Nick Aiken. The tables will be updated soon.
Edgecumbe breakup on Saturday should be fun. Will the married beat the singles again in the football?

21 August Party poopers Tauranga City Utd came to play Whakatane in a catch up game and beat them 3 - 1 in an even contest, spoiling the champions' unbeaten record and pushing Rangers and Kawerau into the bottom half of the table.

14 August Congratulations to Kawerau who bowled league champs Whakatane out of the Tasman Cup with a committed display. Rangers drew 4 - 4 with THS, a great improvement on the school side's heavy loss last season. A spectacular goal from THS James Mitchell, beating Rangers stand-in keeper Ian Finch was the highlight.

12 August The proposed further games for BOP Div 1 & 3 have been cancelled. Now there is only the Tasman Cup left. Congrats to Whakatane High School who bowled women's champs Whakatane 4 - 0 on Sunday!
This Sunday Rangers have a friendly against Trident High Sch, to help them prepare for tournament. Kickoff at THS is at 1 pm. Watch the match up between Matty Ward- Julian and Thommo!

7 August Final league game a home loss to Otumoetai. The 1 - 4 score doesn't show that Rangers had their visitors thinking they might have to settle for a draw until the last fifteen minutes. Chopper finished the season in his own inimitable style, getting a red card. Hori played his first full game for over a year, and Thommo grabbed the golden boot after Richie set him up in the most unselfish fashion, getting himself injured in the process! Read the report. Have a look at action pics from the game.

5 August Chopper made up for not getting his 8th yellow card on Saturday by being pulled up by the cops on his way to practice tonight! Now he apprecaites that the $20 fines are cheap!
Coming up: Friendly with Trident HS 1st XI Sunday 15th Aug (11am kick off?)
Rangers break-up & prize giving Sat 4 Sept, 12 noon onwards at 37 Eivers Rd. Game 3pm, presentations 6pm. $20, BYO drinks & food contribution. Who will win the trophies? Personality? Stirrer? Sportsman? Most Improved, Player of the Year?
Last chance to grab the Golden Boot award on Saturday. Some players are plotting a 'don't give the ball to Thommo near the goal' campaign!

31 July Whakatane came to Edgecumbe and won, sealing the league championship. Heartening though were the returns of Sjoerd Overdevest and George Elliot. They both had a major impact on a good second half. Michel Nillesen reffed the game well, with no-one, not even Chopper, getting a card! Rangers had good support from the sideline too, thanks girls! Read the report.The game this coming Saturday looks like being Rangers last for the season, so watch out Otumoetai!

27 July The league tables are up to date. Here are some action pics from Saturday's draw at Kawerau. Mostly it is Thommo catching the eye, or was it the nose?

25 July Rangers sneaked a 1 - 1 draw at Kawerau, but Richie Nillesen is still kicking himself for having a last minute penalty saved by the Kawerau keeper.
Richie then helped do the draw for the Tasman Cup, and matched up Whakatane with Kawerau, Opotiki with Tauranga City and Te Puke with Rotorua City. Click here to see the rest of the draw.
Meanwhile ex-Rangers, now rugby, stars Wett and Dutchie have helped their teams Edgecumbe and Matata to the final, where they will meet up. Both ex-goalkeepers have also been named in thr EBOP rep team.

18 July A waterlogged ground meant the fixture v Otumoetai was postponed yesterday. Even if the field was playable, Otumoetai couldn't have reached us, slips had blocked the highway! A civil defence emergency has been declared with the Rangitaiki River flooding lots of Edgecumbe and surrounding districts over the last 48 hours.

16 July The rain stopped for 90 minutes last night and Rangers had a useful practice. Hopefully the rain might ease up soon so we can play tomorrow. Club meeting last night resolved some money issues. Anyone keen to sponsor Rangers contact us. You can have recognition through our website in return for $$.
Congratulations to ex-Rangers player-coach Christian Wetting, who has just been selected in the EBOP rugby rep team, in his first year of the 'other game' Christian has made a big impact and is the only player from Edgecumbe selected.

All the Tasman Cup & Bowl results are here.

11 July Ouch!! Rangers crashed out of the Tasman Cup in style as they lost at Opotiki 5 - 0. The good sized home crowd enjoyed every minute of it.

6 July Congratulations to Whakatane A for winning the Womens' league. The league now splits into a top and bottom six comp. Click here to view.
NZ new national league kicks off in Octobar. The closest team to Edgecumbe is now Waikato FC, a mere 2.25 hours drive away!

5 July The Tasman Cup & Bowl draw is confirmed. Rangers are away to Opotiki this Saturday.

3 July Cusack set the ball rolling in the changing rooms, producing the strip which he "washed" last night, and which had partially dried on the line over night! He then produced his own strip in a separate bag, nice and clean!
As for the game, Thommo curled a lovely free kick in from 20 metres. At this point Rotorua City began to self destruct with internal arguments. Richie was then dragged down by the same defender, and while City deliberated about setting up a wall, cheeky Richie smacked home the free kick. Thommo scored twice more from free kicks, the same defender coughing up all four free kicks! Read the report.

30 June Still waiting for Saturday's results, but it looks like Rangers will be playing 2nd div Opotiki away, in the Tasman Cup 10th July. Opotiki are usually a hard out team, so it will be a good battle. Great to see Ryan Wilson starring on XS TV (Sky Sport 1) tonight. Ryan's cool skating was outdone by the nude pic!!! Maybe you should have stuck to soccer Ryan!

27 June Suburbs will think they are unlucky. The ref didn't notice Chopper playing as an extra keeper. Matt saved yet another penalty. Richie played with his head injury and set up the goal in a 1 - 1 draw. Read the report.

24 June A hard out practice, will mean that Saturday's game is unlikely to be as dangerous. Cuse and Craig flattened each other twice, and they were on the same team. Various players were sprigged, stood on etc, then to finish it off Big Jase and Richie collided leaving Jase nursing loose teeth and Richie stemming the blood from his head. Watch out Rotorua Suburbs!
The goss? Fraser getting together with Chopper's sister Alison at the weekend, then following it up with a courier-delivered rose during the week. Go Fraser!

20 June Rangers battled to a gritty 1 - 1 draw with second placed Te Puke. Chopper earned his fourth yellow card. Bas hit the bar twice, the crossbar that is. Big Jase scored. Matty saved a penalty (again), Baz knew he would, that's why he dived to block the shot in the first place. The Te Puke manager wished us "all the rest for the best of the season, but he was beaten to his team's 'dick of the week' award by striker Lee who went into the Wahines' toilets in the clubrooms. These poms will have to learn some Maori! Read the report.
The Tasman Cup and Bowl draw is out. Will Whakatane's B team have another chance to knock off their A team?! It looks possible! The draw.

13 June Rangers participation in the Best Insulation tournament was short lived. Rangers lost to hosts and eventual winners Rotorua Suburbs 2 - 0 after conceding an early goal. They then lost to Tauranga City after conceding a penalty. With the withdrawal of three teams, that was it, 60 min of football, not even a losers competition. Here are a few pics from the day, thanks Sam.
Highlights of the day: Harley saying it was the first time he'd got up when it was still dark, Whakatane's reserve side knocking their A team out, the confident performances of a couple of teenage referees (even down to controlling the penalty shoot out in a semifinal).

7 June NZ All Whites are out of the next World and Confed Cups. Although they beat Fiji 2 - 0, the Solomon Islands amazing 2 - 2 draw with Australia has earned them the right to play off home and away v Aussie for a place in both Cups. NZ now has four years to wait.... Meanwhile neighbours Whakatane enjoyed their 50th jubilee over the weekend. JP was even player of the day on Saturday! See JP in action against Rangers two weeks ago.

5 June Rangers grabbed a shock 3 - 0 win at Tauranga City. TCU had huge pressure on Rangers throughout the first half, but couldn't score. Richie scored with a break away and the rest is history! Read the report on a fantastic team effort.

3 June NZ All Whites get a beating from Vanuatu 4 - 2! After last week's game, Rangers' strikers get lots of shooting practice at training tonight.

1 June The Beacon have a large set of excellent photos taken at the recent derby with Whakatane, including several of the crowd watching. Go have a look!

31 May Back to Earth with a thud! Rangers lose to bottom team Rotorua City. The report is brief! Meanwhile, the All Whites make up for losing to Aussie 1 - 0, with a 3 - 0 win over the Solomon Islands in the Oceania Cup, which is also World Cup qualifying. The top two sides from the tournament play off home and away. The four remaining teams are Fiji, Vanuatu and Tahiti. Click here for tournament results.

23 May Yesterday Rangers led Whakatane for most of the game. Their top of the table hosts were relieved to sneak a late equaliser past an unsighted player of the day Matt Aberhart. Read the report. Injured orator Brendan Cusack made an entertaining aftermatch speech. He finished with the customary politeness of wishing Whakatane well for the rest of the seson, then noting that he didn't really mean it! He also gave everyone's best wishes to Dan Logan as he heads off to South America.

19 May The Federation League results and table are now on, by request!

15 May An excellent result for Rangers in the local derby with Kawerau. Highlights were three good goals, Matt Aberhart saving a penalty, and Wett making the speech for the rugby team, having played for both soccer teams in the past as well. Chopper managed another yellow card after throwing the ball at an opponent who persisted in jumping to try and block off his throw-in. Read the report.

10 May BOP, courtesy of Nick Aiken are putting out a weekly roundup of BOP soccer highlights. Click here to see the first one. Meanwhile bad news on the injury front, with Hori Elliot breaking an ankle and Richie Nillesen suffering a knee injury.

8 May A depleted Rangers team almost hung on for a draw away to Otumoetai. Even ref Dave Cox thought a draw would have been a fair result, but the home team snatched a late winner to take the game 2 - 1. Read the report. Have a look at Photo of the Week to see how Cusack warms up for a game of football, n.b. this picture was censored! His technique works too, he scored the goal!

24 April A gritty performance, Rangers winning despite only playing good football in matches. Muggsy, Asha and Thommo put in top performances.

22 April A typical Edgecumbe training in preparation for Saturday's home game. Plenty of thrills and spills. Cusack flattens Jerm, not even seeing him as he races to track Thommo. Jerm won't let anybody else get the ball once he's got hold of it. Big Jase pounds in for the corners. Cusack scores goals. Azza puts them over the top and gets sent to send in crosses instead. We're ready for Suburbs!
Rangers game on 1st May has been postponed, as opponents Rotorua City are in the Chatham Cup, at home to Ngaruawahia on that day

19 April Results and Tables updated. For the first time, this includes BOP Women's league. Some Rangers players are quite attached to some of these players...

17 April Despite words of encouragement from Nick Jago in England, Rangers got no joy from a very even game at league leaders Te Puke, going down 1 - 0. At least Rangers won the yellow card count! Read the report.
Talking of Nick, a long throw in helped New Zealand Secondary Schools beat England Schools 1 - 0. Hone Fowler received the ball in the England penalty area, beat his marker and scored. A great result!

10 April With no game scheduled on Easter Saturday, most Rangers players were present to see how neighbours Whakatane got on in their Chatham Cup game at home to Taupo. The early red card to Keith Fraser swung the game to Taupo and they ran away to win 4 - 0.

5 April Perth Glory won the NSL with an extra time winner over Parramatta Power 1- 0.

3 April Rangers start their league campaign with a creditable 1 - 1 draw against TC United. Cusack's golden left boot made a good start. Keeper Aberhart was in fine form. Read the report.

27 March Perth Glory thrashed Adelaide 5 - 0 to reach the NSL final v Paramatta Power on Sunday 4 April.

25 March No pre-season game this weekend. The season starts in one week. Dean Butterworth at training tonight, making five new signings from local rivals this season. Rangers ready to face div one for the first time since 2001.
Congratulations to Muggsy and Kelly on the arrival of Caleb on Sunday.

24 March The draw for the new season is out. Rangers are at home to Tauranga City United in the first round on April 3.

22 March The Kingz will be part of a revitalised 8 team Australian NSL starting early next year.

13 March A 1 - 1 draw with Kawerau was a fair reflection of the game. Rangers had a very good first 30 min, with some excellent combinations in the midfield. Bas Overdevest sent a lovely ball through for Aaron Muggeridge, who surged through the defence and hit a great shot past the keeper. Kawerau came back and pressurised the home team. Karl Storey put an excellent header into the Rangers net, but it was ruled out for off side. Kawerau's equaliser was a classic soft goal with a clearance cannoning into a defender and then a shot trickling over the line.
Shock news at the end of the game that captain Jason Pullar has been enticed back to play for Whakatane for the season. Whakatane are holding their 50th jubilee this year.

12 March Healthy numbers at training last night, with good competition for places in Saturday's friendly v old foe Kawerau. Buzza was razzed for getting snapped using dirty tactics last Saturday. The Beacon had a shot of him with a good handful of a Te Puke shirt! Dan Logan was at training, he doesn't leave for Brazil till May. Mark Jeynes was back after a couple of years away.

6 March A good first run in the pre-season friendly v Te Puke. In an even game, Rangers converted a couple of chances to grab a 2 - 0 win. New player Craig Lambert scored with a nice lob, while young visitor Michael McKain scored a neat goal after being put through the Te Puke defence. Another new Rangers player, Aaron Woods managed to get himself red-carded after an opponent objected to a tackle and attacked Aaron. Aaron ended up on the bottom of a large pile-up as other players rushed to try and sort it out!
Have some fun and fill in our survey on football issues. Click here.

3 March Check out the NSL finals, that the Kingz just missed out on (!)

29 February The Kingz won their final match of the NSL, with a 4 - 3 thriller against Brisbane. Harry Ngata's two penalties complemented a 30m drive by Jeremy Christie and a close range header by ex-Leeds Utd Danny Hay.

26 February Thursday night trainings continue at 6.30 pm. Rangers have signed up for the BOP 1st division this year. Some of div 1's top teams from last year have moved into the Fed 3 league with the corresponding teams from Waikato. Rangers would hope to be competitive with those remaining.

18 February Congratulations to ex-EBOP and Kawerau player Brooke Rangi, who has been selected in the NZ women's team for tonight's game. Brooke has been a top talent and plies her trade in the USA these days.

14 February Sometimes Rangers player Ashley Hawkes missed $1000 by one foot, in the kick for cash at the Kingz game last night.His shot from half way curved towards the goal, then straightened up just outside the upright. It was still a very memorable night, with the Kingz beating rivals South Melbourne 2 - 0. The vocally anti Con Boutsianis crowd were in top form, inspiring their heroes to a deserved win aginst the 3rd placed team.

12 February An entertaining first training run at he Edgecumbe Domain. JP showed why he wears shin pads to practice, triggering a full array of bad tackles, revenge tackles and dives. The lads were proudly wearing last year's medals as they trooped off to the bar later, for refreshments. News that ex-Rangers player-coach and outstanding goal keeper Christian Wetting has transfered to the Edgecumbe RUGBY team! No-one will enjoy tackling him very much!

8 February Transfer trading busy in Eastern Bay. Rangers are set to lose top striker Daniel Logan, who is heading off overseas. A number of Kawerau players are trying out other clubs at present, with a couple attending Rangers trainings. The Kingz have another loss, and have only three more games to endure / salvage some pride.

5 February Trainings at Edgecumbe Domain every Thursday starting 6.30 pm. Possibility Rangers promoted to BOP 1st division this season, with four teams promoted from BOP Div 1 to Fed Three league.

31 January Well the Olywhites couldn't quite do it, but hopefuly the Kingz will. See you at Waikato Stadium 8 pm tonight. It'll be warm tonight, not like in Holland. Ex-Rangers striker Tim Lawrence has sent a couple of pics to show how people in that part of the world are enjoying the weather. Check out Photo of the week...

22 January The NZ U23s came from behind to win a pulsating Olympic Qualifier against Vanuatu. NZ will now play Aussie on Monday (away) and on Friday (home North Harbour) to see who goes to the Olympics this year. Sounds like a good trip - Auckland Friday to support NZ, then Hamilton Saturday to support the Kingz.

19 January The Kingz score a great win away at Wolves, with ten men. Noah Hickey scores, then Harry Ngata converts a pen.

12 January 2004 Happy New Year to all Rangers supporters. Hopefully the Kingz year might get happier. New signings Danny Hay and Noah Hickey both made a good impact for them yesterday. Kingz were unlucky to concede a late equaliser. Their next home game is at Waikato Stadium Sat 31st Jan, 8pm. See you there!

There is lots of fascinating news and trivia from 2003. To see it, click here! It goes back to 2002 and before, if you want to see it, it's here!

Click here to see Photo of the week

Action Photos
Home to Otumoetai 7 August 2004
Away to Kawerau 25 July 2004
Best Insulation tournament 12 June 2004
Away to Whakatane May 22 2004 (selected pics!)
Away to Ngongotaha August 2 2003
Away to Kawerau 1st team Tasman Cup July 12 2003
Home to Kawerau May 24 2003
Away with ten men to Taupo May 3 2003
Home in friendly to Whakatane March 6 2003
Home to Rotorua Suburbs August 24 2002
Best Insulation tournament 8 June 2002
West Ham v Whakatane Sept 29 2001
Away to Greerton July 21 2001
Away to Tauranga City Utd July 14 2001
Away to Whakatane April 21 2001
Home to Rotorua City August 5 2000
Away at Otumoetai July 1st 2000
Edgecumbe v Whakatane, June 19, 1999.
Edgecumbe v Ngongotaha July 28, 1999.