Wellington United AFC is an
association football club based in
Wellington, New Zealand, that competes in the
Central League.
History
Wellington Diamond United
Wellington Diamond United was the result of the merger of Diamond and Zealandia/Wellington United in 1968.
Diamond was founded as a junior football club in 1893 by members of the Star Rugby Club, who wished to play football. It became a senior team in 1895.
Zealandia was founded in 1954 by Dutch immigrants, changing its name to Wellington United in 1964.
In 1968 the club played in the Central Region's Division One, finishing fourth out ten. The club made it to the National League for the 1973 season but at the end of the following season they found themselves back in Division One.
Wellington Diamond United won the
National League in 1976, 1981 and 1985.
[Wellington United profile at UltimateNZSoccer.com]
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Hungaria and Wellington City
Hungaria was formed in 1962 by Hungarian immigrants. The club played in the Central Region league before being invited to join the first New Zealand National Soccer League in 1970. The team finished seventh out of eight that season, winning just three games. It was the club's only season in the National League as they forfeited their place to form a composite entry with Miramar Rangers, to be known as Wellington City, for the 1971 and 1972 seasons. Miramar withdrew after the 1971 season.
In 1973 the club went solo again, this time in Division Two of the Central League (finishing second) with Wellington City as an independent entity. The following season the club topped the table, winning promotion to Division One. The club remained there until the end of the 1977 season when they finished bottom of the ten-team division to be relegated back to Division Two. The club had two unsuccessful seasons in Division Two before merging with Wellington City permanently in 1979.
Wellington United
Wellington Diamond United and Wellington City merged in 1986 to form Wellington City Diamond United, which soon shortened its name to Wellington United.ISPS Handa Premiership
The New Zealand Football Championship ( mi, Te Whakataetae Whutupaoro a Aotearoa) was a men's association football league at the top of the New Zealand league system. Founded in 2004, the New Zealand Football Championship was the successor to a m ...
) able to play through the winter in the Central League as Wellington United. Wellington Phoenix Announce Strategic Partnership With Wellington United
Retrieved: 9 December 2017
New Zealand Representatives
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Julius Beck (Hungaria)
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Grahame Bilby
Grahame Paul Bilby (born 7 May 1941) is a former New Zealand cricketer and association football player who represented both the New Zealand national cricket team and the New Zealand national football team.
Cricket career
An opening batsman, Bi ...
(Wellington City)
*
Paul Cameron (Wellington City)
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Malcolm Dunford
Malcolm Dunford (born 10 January 1963) is a former successful New Zealand association football player who frequently represented his country in the 1980s and 90s. A centre back, Dunford played with a number of central defenders including Bobby Alm ...
(Wellington Diamond United)
*
Don Finlayson
Donald Finlayson is a former association football goalkeeper who represented New Zealand at international level.
Finlayson made a solitary official A-international appearance for New Zealand, coming on as a second-half substitute in a 3–2 wi ...
(Wellington Diamond United)
*
Bill Harris (Wellington Diamond United)
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Imre Kiss (Hungaria)
*
Eric Lesbirel (Wellington Diamond United)
*
Istvan Nemet
Istvan Nemet ( hu, Németh István) is a former association football player who represented New Zealand at international level.
National Youth Career:
1954–1957 Yugoslavia Serbia
– National caps = 5
– National goals = 15
Istvan Ste ...
(Hungaria)
*
Garry Paddison (Wellington Diamond United)
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John Raat
John Raat is a former football (soccer) player who represented New Zealand at international level.
Raat played two official A-international matches for the New Zealand in 1960, both against Pacific minnows Tahiti
Tahiti (; Tahitian ; ; p ...
(Diamond)
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Wynton Rufer (Wellington Diamond United)
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Jeff Strom
Jeff Strom is a footballer who represented New Zealand at international level.
Strom made his full All Whites debut in a 5–1 win over Kuwait on 16 October 1980 and ended his international playing career with 14 A-international caps to his ...
(Wellington Diamond United)
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Grant Turner
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Garry Welch (Wellington Diamond United)
References
External links
Official websiteCapital Football profile
{{twclubs
Association football clubs in Wellington
Sport in Wellington City
Association football clubs established in 1986
1986 establishments in New Zealand