Fencibles United

Fencibles United
Full name Fencibles United AFC
Nickname(s) Fencibles
Founded 1995
Ground Riverhills Domain
Pakuranga, Auckland, New Zealand
(Capacity: 1000)
Chairman Wilson Hawes
Manager Grant Robertson
Coach Matt Byers
League Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2
2011 Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2, 3rd
Home colours
Away colours

Fencibles United AFC is a semi-professional association football (soccer) club and one of the largest soccer clubs in New Zealand. They compete in the Lotto Sport Italia NRFL Division 2.

The club is based in Howick/Pakuranga, Auckland. It has a long history of serving and representing the East Auckland community, with roots going back to Pakuranga Town AFC and Howick AFC.

Contents

History

In 1995, two East Auckland clubs, Pakuranga Town AFC and Howick AFC, amalgamated to form Fencibles United AFC. Fencibles United is now one of New Zealand's largest soccer clubs. In the 2001 winter season, 94 teams were fielded.

The adoption of 'FENCIBLES UNITED AFC' as the name for the club, has recognised the Fencibles as the historic link between the two clubs and identifies with the locality. The Fencibles were the first European settlers in the region. The name 'Fencibles' refers to the Royal New Zealand Fencibles Corps. 'Fencible' is derived from the word 'Defencible', meaning capable of defence.

The Fencibles Corps recruited men who had served in the military for Britain in the 1830s and 1840s. They were offered a new life in New Zealand, including free passage for families, a cottage and an acre of land to become theirs after the completion of a seven-year term, in return for military duties. These soldier-settlers had a dual role as labourers/farmers/settlers and as a defence force if required.

The largest of the Fencible settlements was established in 1847 at the site of what was later to be called Howick (named after Lord Howick, Secretary of the Colonies, who was responsible for the Fencibles Corps immigration to New Zealand). The 'Fencibles' were responsible for maintaining the security of the locality and were part of a defensive chain that extended through Pakuranga, Panmure, Otahuhu and Onehunga to protect the city of Auckland. While the main settlement was on the site of what is now Howick, there were houses and homesteads built at strategically important locations such as Pakuranga.

The club 'playing strip' of red, blue with white trim also reflects the uniforms of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles Corps. Their regular uniforms featured blue trousers with a red stripe down the leg seam and a red tunic with white trim. The tunic being replaced with a blue frock coat with red trim for ceremonial or dress occasions.

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 GK Jay Christiansen
2 DF Norman Archery
3 DF Darren Wise
4 MF Jayden Henry
5 DF Jamie Higson
6 DF Sean Gillham
7 MF Janaid Ashburner
8 MF Martin Pike
9 FW Nik Viljoen
10 FW Paulo Montino
11 MF Luke Cairns
12 MF Mohammed Nazim
No. Position Player
13 DF Daniel Cope
14 FW Steve Lawry
15 DF Matthew Scarborough
16 MF Ross Sly
18 FW Zane Christiansen
19 MF Andrew Robson
20 MF Michael Poulopoulos
21 DF Ben Murphy
22 MF Marc Sly
23 MF Michael Simpson
25 MF Jason Daniels

Notable players

External links