1978 Chatham Cup
Encyclopedia
The 1978 Chatham Cup was the 51st annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand
.
Early stages of the competition were run in three regions (northern, central, and southern), with the National League
teams receiving a bye until the Fourth Round of the competition. In all, 144 teams took part in the competition. Note: Different sources give different numberings for the rounds of the competition: some start round one with the beginning of the regional qualifications; others start numbering from the first national knock-out stage. The former numbering scheme is used in this article.
. Manurewa won the competition for the first time since 1931
, when they had played under the name "Tramurewa" (after a recent merger with Tramways FC). The gap of 47 years between trophies in this competition is still a record.
Manurewa's side was coached by John Adshead
who four years later would steer New Zealand's national side to their first FIFA world cup. The team included several top players, notably Dave Bright
and goalkeeper Frank van Hattum
; they were opposed by the previous year's champions, Nelson united, a team which boasted the presence of Kenny Cresswell
, Peter Simonsen
, and Keith Mackay
, among others.
The game's only goal came after 12 minutes. Nelson keeper Owen Nuttridge
failed to completely clear a Dave Bright cross, only for the ball to be headed into the net by Bruce Foster.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
Early stages of the competition were run in three regions (northern, central, and southern), with the National League
New Zealand National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is a name given to competitions in which New Zealand's top soccer clubs play each other, at least two times, on a home and away basis . At the completion of the competition, the best-performed team is declared as the New Zealand champion...
teams receiving a bye until the Fourth Round of the competition. In all, 144 teams took part in the competition. Note: Different sources give different numberings for the rounds of the competition: some start round one with the beginning of the regional qualifications; others start numbering from the first national knock-out stage. The former numbering scheme is used in this article.
The 1978 final
The final was held outside one of the main centres for the first time, being played in NelsonNelson, New Zealand
Nelson is a city on the eastern shores of Tasman Bay, and is the economic and cultural centre of the Nelson-Tasman region. Established in 1841, it is the second oldest settled city in New Zealand and the oldest in the South Island....
. Manurewa won the competition for the first time since 1931
1931 Chatham Cup
The 1931 Chatham Cup was the ninth annual nationwide knockout football competition in New Zealand.The competition was run on a regional basis, with six regional associations each holding separate qualifying rounds...
, when they had played under the name "Tramurewa" (after a recent merger with Tramways FC). The gap of 47 years between trophies in this competition is still a record.
Manurewa's side was coached by John Adshead
John Adshead
John Adshead is an England-born former head coach of New Zealand's national football team the All Whites, whom he led to their first FIFA World Cup appearance in the 1982 tournament...
who four years later would steer New Zealand's national side to their first FIFA world cup. The team included several top players, notably Dave Bright
Dave Bright
David "Dave" J. Bright was an association football player who represented New Zealand gaining 8 A-international caps from 1979 to 1982....
and goalkeeper Frank van Hattum
Frank van Hattum
Francesco van Hattum is a former New Zealand football player who was a goalkeeper during the country's first World Cup finals tournament in 1982...
; they were opposed by the previous year's champions, Nelson united, a team which boasted the presence of Kenny Cresswell
Kenny Cresswell
Kenneth "Kenny" Grant Cresswell is an association football player who represented New Zealand internationally, appearing in all 3 matches of New Zealand's first FIFA World Cup finals appearance....
, Peter Simonsen
Peter Simonsen
Peter R. Simonsen was a football player who represented New Zealand internationally, being part of the 1982 squad that participated at 1982 FIFA World Cup finals....
, and Keith Mackay
Keith Mackay
Keith "Buzzer" Gordon Mackay was a football player who represented New Zealand internationally, appearing in all 3 matches of New Zealand's first FIFA World Cup finals appearance....
, among others.
The game's only goal came after 12 minutes. Nelson keeper Owen Nuttridge
Owen Nuttridge
Owen Nuttridge is a former football goalkeeper who represented New Zealand at international level.Having already represented New Zealand at U-23 level, Nuttridge played two official A-international matches for the New Zealand, making his debut as a substitute in a 8-2 win over Malaysia on 16...
failed to completely clear a Dave Bright cross, only for the ball to be headed into the net by Bruce Foster.