History of Albany United

As with any topic, when doing research memories of the principals can be blurred. Indeed, some of the principals are no longer with us. One thing you can be certain of is that all those involved in forming Albany United had a common goal to enhance the game of soccer on the North Shore.
 
 In 1977 Albany-Wairau Soccer Club was spawned by a group of people that were from Glenfield Rovers and decided that they would form their own club. The ‘defectors’ were Bert Ford and Len Snelling and along with a group of players, they soon recruited the likes of Eric Hodge and Dave Weir to assist them. A ‘home’ ground was secured at the Albany Domain
 
 In that first season they only expected to have a couple of teams but ended up fielding 15 in total. The first team’s inaugural coach was Fred Ullness and they played in what was then the Northern 4th division.
 
 Though this period can be summarised in a few paragraphs, the work that was put in by Messrs Ford and Snelling should not be underestimated. Fundraising, getting sponsors, negotiations with council, constitutional matters and gear all needed to be in place before the season started. In fact, Albany’s first strip was nothing more than an orange tee shirt with black shorts, and the ‘showers’ were the local stream that meandered past the grounds. The toilet block was built by Bert Ford in his spare time as was the infamous ‘Shed’. The shed has since been demolished but Bert’s toilets are still there. I’m told the Floodlights were installed ‘for a slab’ but nobody was prepared to offer any more information on this matter!!
 
 Throughout the eighties Albany’s success at senior level was limited. Though the formation of the league is different to what it is now we never managed to be higher than 2nd division. There was one season, under coach Brian Lamb, that we lost only one game - the last game at that, which secured promotion, but relegation followed immediately. In fact, on the two occasions we gained promotion to the second division, both times we were immediately relegated.
 
 During the nineties the Clubs future was jeopardised due to the massive development programme at Albany, including the North Harbour Stadium complex. A new road was constructed through part of the grounds, which meant that Albany United could not stay at the Domain. During this period there are differing views on what options were open to the club. Some say there was a missed opportunity to become part of the North Harbour Complex, while others say it was not an option due to the financial investment required. Some say it was not an option regardless. The only certainty was that Albany had to find a new venue for their home ground.
 
 During this same period of the mid nineties another local club was suffering from expansion problems. Rangitoto, like many other clubs, was formed by a breakaway group - this time from East Coast Bays in 1982. The club was totally dedicated to junior football, had no clubrooms, and for most of it’s existence had no senior teams. In fact, any senior teams tended to be older kids who wanted to maintain contact with the club. Once again the name Eric Hodges is to the fore, and the story goes that he and his wife Margaret, with friend Mike Shadbolt, were watching the sun set over Rangitoto on a glorious summer evening, and the decision was made that the name of the new club would be Rangitoto and they would play in red.
 
 Originally their home ground was Freyberg Park, which was subsequently given to Rugby League. Rangitoto moved to Deep Creek and their midgets played at Sunnynook Park. Council development at Deep Creek did not materialise, and as the ground was not adequate for their requirements the club needed to move. With Albany and Rangitoto both looking for new grounds and clubrooms, and both operating in the same catchment area, a marriage of the two seemed sensible. Negotiations followed and in 1997 it was decided to combine Rangitoto and Albany’s midget leagues and play all games at Rosedale Park. Kristen school also joined this league. This worked very well, so the following year the knot was tied and it was decided that the grounds and clubrooms would be at Rosedale Park. Hockey would be moved to Rosedale South. North Harbour Softball would remain at Rosedale and share all facilities, including the clubrooms, with the new Albany United Soccer Club Inc.
 
 From the origins of the Club all the principals have either moved on or are no longer with us. Len Snelling passed away in 1996 and Eric Hodge passed away in 1994. In recognition of Eric’s work, not only for Rangitoto but for football in general, we run the annual ‘Eric Hodge Tournament’ at Rosedale Park for midget teams, and I’m pleased to say that Margaret Hodge remains patron of the Club. Bert Ford retired to Raglan where he is involved with the local club there. In fact, the only active member still with the club from those early days is Bill Pittman, who joined as a midget coach for his son’s team. Last season Bill was again involved with juniors, coaching one of our 13th Grade teams. During Bill’s 20 odd year association with the Club he held various positions such as Club Captain and 1st team Manager, and assisted the Club whenever help was required. In 2000 he was belatedly made a life member.
 
 
Kieron Duffy
Albany United Chairman