HISTORY

Our Story: From Western United to Waitemata FC

Waitemata FC began in 1959 in Ranui as Western United, founded by Tommy Russell, Reg Matthews, and Frank Lowe. Even in a rugby-dominated community, football quickly took off. What started with junior teams soon grew into senior football, with the club making its senior debut in 1960 at Cooks Paddock.

In the early 1960s, Western United rose quickly—earning promotion to Division 2, winning the Dacre Cup twice, and even reaching the Chatham Cup Northern semi-finals. The team’s passionate supporters were famously compared to English football fans by legendary coach Ken Armstrong.

Key figures helped shape the club, including president Assid Corban and patron Sir Edmund Hillary. The club also benefited from local Air Force personnel and new arrivals from the UK and the Netherlands, many of whom became long-term club legends. Behind the scenes, dedicated volunteers kept everything running and helped football grow in a community where rugby once ruled.

By the late 1960s, the club briefly became Henderson AFC, before settling at McLeod Park in the 1970s. As a condition of securing the ground, the club adopted the name Waitemata Football Club—a name that’s now been part of West Auckland football for more than 50 years.

McLeod Park wasn’t always the home we know today. Members remember clearing gorse by hand and building the original clubhouse from donated materials. Over time, and thanks to countless volunteer hours, the clubrooms expanded and the ground became one of the region’s most popular community football hubs.

On the pitch, Waitemata FC has celebrated success at both youth and senior levels. The men’s first team famously earned back-to-back promotions into the Northern League, and the women’s team dominated their competition in 2019. The Battle of the Bridge rivalry with Te Atatu remains a highlight each season.

One of the best examples of the club’s spirit is Peter Van Der Sluis, who represented Waitemata FC for 49 consecutive years and played first-team football at age 47.

Over the decades, many All Whites and Football Ferns have worn the Waitemata shirt, including Gary Eccles, Darren McClennan, Roger Gray, Paul Urlovic, Neil Harlock, Kenny Harlock, Yvonne Vale (nee van Bakel) who played in goal for the Ferns, as well as several others.

Waitemata FC stands today because of the passion, hard work, and vision of its founders and generations of volunteers, players, and families.

Thanks to Frank Krynen and Tales of Te Atatū for preserving this history.

Club Name Evolution

  • 1959: Western United

  • 1968: Henderson AFC

  • 1970: Waitemata City AFC

  • 2014: Waitemata FC