Gisborne City AFC explained

Clubname:Gisborne City
Fullname:Gisborne City Association Football Club
Founded: as Eastern Union AFC
Ground:Childers Road Reserve
Capacity:1655
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Gisborne City AFC was an association football club in Gisborne, New Zealand. Founded in 1939 as Eastern Union, the club changed its name to Gisborne City after winning the Central Districts League at the first attempt in 1967.[1]

History

As Eastern Union, the club had competed in the Chatham Cup since the early 1950s, and reached the semi-final (and North Island Final) in 1957, losing to eventual champions Seatoun 3–1.

Gisborne set the New Zealand record for the most players from one club to be chosen for the New Zealand national football team to compete at a FIFA World Cup. Five players were selected to participate in the 1982 FIFA World Cup in Spain.

In 1984, Gisborne became the first team from outside New Zealand's three biggest cities Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch to win the national championship.

Chelsea connection

The Chelsea song "Blue is the Colour" was adopted as the clubs anthem.

The following former Chelsea FC players also played for Gisborne City:

Honours

National

Champions (1) 1984

Champions (1) 1987

Champions (1) 1985[4]

Champions (1) 1984[4]

Exhibition matches

1982: vs Bournemouth 0-4[5]

Notable players

World Cup All Whites

The following players represented the New Zealand national team also known as the All Whites at a FIFA World Cup whilst playing for Gisborne City:[6]

1982 FIFA World Cup

Other

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kungler/Zlotkowski . Peter/Andre . 5 October 2004 . New Zealand 1967 . 13 June 2022 . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  2. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nzchamp.html New Zealand — List of champions
  3. Atkinson, N., Watters, S., and Shanks, A., Football - Men’s club and provincial football, Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, 7 June 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  4. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nz-varcuphist.html New Zealand — List of Various Cup Finals
  5. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesb/bournemouth-nz82.html AFC Bournemouth Tour of New Zealand 1982
  6. https://www.rsssf.org/tablesn/nz-intres-det80.html New Zealand international matches — Details 1980–1989