© 2025 Christchurch United Football Club
Christchurch United FC
Discover History of Our Success
Christchurch United Football Club
Christchurch United FC remains one of the most decorated clubs in the history of New Zealand football.
The club’s place in the history books came shortly after its inception with multiple national league and Chatham Cup titles in the 1970s and 1980s, and has continued into the present day with its extensive recent development and lofty aspirations for the future.
The Club Was Formed in 1970
The club was formed via the merger and support of several Christchurch clubs in the early 1970s, ostensibly to provide a strong Christchurch team for participation in the New Zealand National Soccer League.
The teams involved were Christchurch City AFC, Western AFC, Shamrock, and Christchurch Technical, though some of these sides continued to play on as separate sides after the formation of United.
As a result of a sponsorship deal it was known
as Trans Tours United from 1976 to 1978.
The teams involved were Christchurch City AFC, Western AFC, Shamrock, and Christchurch Technical, though some of these sides continued to play on as separate sides after the formation of United.
As a result of a sponsorship deal it was known
as Trans Tours United from 1976 to 1978.
The club enjoyed a golden run beginning in the 1972 Chatham Cup final against Mount Wellington, still considered the most dramatic final in the long illustrious history of the knockout tournament.
United's first national league title in 1973 was followed up by a Chatham Cup victory in '74, followed by a historical 1975 season.
That season, Christchurch United became the first New Zealand club to win the national league and Chatham Cup final in the same year.
The record-breaking side, coached by Terry Conley, featured a number of well-renowned players including Ian Park, Roy Drinkwater, Bill Amey and Ken France, to name only a few.
The side of the 70s and 80s catapulted Christchurch United into domestic stardom in the game of football.
Many of its players went on to represent New Zealand against international teams - a feat repeated throughout the decades as some of Christchurch’s top talents came through
the blue and white uniform.
50 Years United 1970–2020 Rising the Bar
for New Zealand Football
for New Zealand Football
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Learn more about CUFC rich history in the 50th Anniversary Book published in 2020.
This book details the illustrious history of one of New Zealand’s most highly acclaimed amateur football clubs is available now.
"50 Years United" details the highs and lows between 1970 to 2020 for Christchurch United FC as it rose to national glory on several occasions before eventually settling back down between the ranks.
Written by Coen Lammers, the book features insightful interviews with some of New Zealand's best ever players who also played for Christchurch United including Ryan Nelsen, Ben Sigmund, Johan Verweij, Ceri Evans, Danny Halligan and Alan Carville, to name only a few.
The detailed hard-back book tells the story of how the club raised the bar for New Zealand football and propelled it at both an amateur and professional level.
It features national league and Chatham Cup triumphs during periods of domestic dominance, as well as relegations and scarring defeats along the rollercoaster that is football.
It also features recollections of some of the games the club has ever been involved in, recounted by the players and coaches who were in them.
This book details the illustrious history of one of New Zealand’s most highly acclaimed amateur football clubs is available now.
"50 Years United" details the highs and lows between 1970 to 2020 for Christchurch United FC as it rose to national glory on several occasions before eventually settling back down between the ranks.
Written by Coen Lammers, the book features insightful interviews with some of New Zealand's best ever players who also played for Christchurch United including Ryan Nelsen, Ben Sigmund, Johan Verweij, Ceri Evans, Danny Halligan and Alan Carville, to name only a few.
The detailed hard-back book tells the story of how the club raised the bar for New Zealand football and propelled it at both an amateur and professional level.
It features national league and Chatham Cup triumphs during periods of domestic dominance, as well as relegations and scarring defeats along the rollercoaster that is football.
It also features recollections of some of the games the club has ever been involved in, recounted by the players and coaches who were in them.
These Stories Make Us Stronger
The club is incredibly proud of the players that have donned the blue and white kit over the years and its continued aim is to be able to help players reach their full potential and go on to achieve international caps, play in cup finals and reach the highest level of football possible.
Star Players
Some of the most notable players to ever don a Christchurch United jersey include former All Whites and Blackburn Rovers captain Ryan Nelsen, Steve Sumner, Ben Sigmund, Bobby Almond, Michael McGarry and Ceri Evans. A total of 44 Christchurch United players have played for the All Whites.
Most Famous Player
Sumner, perhaps United’s most famous expat, is known as of one the great football players in the history of New Zealand football, captaining the All Whites to the famous 1982 World Cup qualification. He is the only player to win six Chatham Cup medals and he has also won five New Zealand national league titles.
Back into Premier League
After a long rebuild phase following United's premier league title in 1998, the club was promoted back into the Mainland premier league, Canterbury's top division, in September 2008. Following relegation the next season, the club was in limbo for several years, resurfacing into the premier league again in 2014, only to be relegated again the following year.
Merger with Academy
In 2016, the Christchurch United board started merger discussions with the Christchurch Football Academy, which opened in 2014 and created a stunning football facility along Yaldhurst Road, the Christchurch Football Centre. The Christchurch Football Academy (CFA) was the brainchild of Russian businessman Slava Meyn, who settled in Christchurch in 2009.
Growing Success
United would regain promotion to the Mainland Premier League in 2019, winning 12 games on the trot with 57 goals and five against. The team also completed its best Chatham Cup runs in decades, reaching the quarter-finals after beating Mainland Premier League clubs Western, Selwyn United, Nelson Suburbs and eliminating champions Cashmere Technical after an enthralling penalty shoot-out. Winning the MacFarlane Cup for the most successful Canterbury team in the Chatham Cup was the first silverware for the club since 1998.
Our Ambition
After retaining its spot in the Mainland Premier League in 2020, Christchurch United will now aim to kick on and achieve a place in the new club-based national league format coming to New Zealand football in the coming years. To do, United will need to secure at least second place in the league.
History in the Making
The club’s lofty ambitions are generously supported by president Slava Meyn, who remains the driving force behind our development, along with our stellar team of staff, coaches, players, parents and supporters.
We thank you for all of your help
in shaping both our history and our future.
We thank you for all of your help
in shaping both our history and our future.
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