25 December 2012 Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Rangers players and supporters. New Year wishes....Rangers to win BOP div 1, Phoenix to win A league, Rangers women to have some wins. Another fun season!

2 December BOP senior football meeting Tuesday at Waipuna Park, 6.30pm, AGENDA: Regulations WaiBOP; Regulations NZF; Team Cards; Transfers; Online Results; Online Goal scorers; Affiliation Payments; Disciplinary Procedure; Fair Play Award; Women’s League; Men’s League; Knockout Cups - submission from Tauranga City United; General Business
Phoenix have another win. Next Sunday sees Sydney, the Del Piero show , return to Wellington to try again! C'mon You Nix! Check out our A League pages.

27 November Check out this amazing football control clip on You Tube Ball Control 2013

24 November Stay awake to see if the Phoenix can have another good game on the road. 11.45pm Sky Sports coverage starts tonight. Try and spot Jezza and Lena in the crowd!
Feel like a game of football? There's some good soccer being played every Monday night from 7 - 9 pm in the Whakatane War Mem Hall. Just turn up, pay your $4 and get put in a team. Rangers players and ex-players Jimmy, Andy, Bas, Dan, Bazza and even Ernst Vos have been spotted there.

20 November International football at Awakeri!!!! This Friday 23 November, an Awakeri selection plays Wellington School from Singapore. The teams are 10 and 11 year olds. Game starts at 11 am, ends around 11.40am. Rangers keeper Christian Wetting's son Isaiah is in the midfield for Awakeri. Check out the Awakeri FC web site for more details.

18 November The Phoenix bounce back from three straight losses to score a very good 3 - 0 win away at Newcastle, keeping ex-England striker Emile Heskey quiet. This coming Saturday they're in Perth, playing the Glory. No doubt the ex Rangers lads like Jezza & Matt Ward will be there Oi Oi! Check out our Phoenix pages.
Also congratulations to Rangers boys Jeff Krause and Ben Fretwell in getting among the prizes at their high schools. Jeff was dux!

27 October Rangers break up and prize giving went well. Prize list:
Players of the Year: Christian Wetting & Kelly Wilson
Sportsmanship: Andrew Brabant & Kate Collier
Golden Boot: Ben McPherson & Kate Simons
Young Player of the Year: Ben Fretwell & Holly Davis
Endeavour: John Stephen & Julie Reihana
Most Promising: Jaiden Ibbetson & Raven Hunia
Players’ Player: Ben Fretwell & Kylie Keys
Personality; Kirk Bain
Many thanks to DJ Frank Wetting. Lots of Rangers players playing summer football, keeping in touch for next season. Check out our Honours Board for all the past winners. Long time treasurer Stewart Sutton was also farewelled.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix had some poor decisions cost them dearly in Adelaide, including a bad red card decision and an off side goal, to spoil their unbeaten record.

21 October Sounds like Phoenix captain Andrew Durante is in a parallel universe with Rangers captain Ben McPherson. Durante missed the Phoenix game today after being hospitalised with a virus the day before, just like Big Ben before Rangers' Bowl final. Well at least the Nix didn't lose, holding on for a 1 - 1 draw with visiting champions Brisbane.

14 October The Phoenix did well away to Melbourne, despite having 7 players missing because of international duties, earning a 1 - 1 draw. Next opponents Brisbane Roar at home next Sunday. Brisbane, the current champions, wasted Melb Victory 5 - 0 yesterday! Check out our Phoenix pages.
The WaiBOP Federation end of season meeting: BOP Seniors Meeting - Waipuna Park, Tuesday December 4 at 6.30 – 8.00

11 October Missing your football? WaiBOP football will be hosting an adult (open to males and females, no restrictions on female players per team or affiliated players) Futsal competition starting from Monday 29th October and lasting till Monday 3rd December with a finals night on Friday 7th December, at War Memorial Hall, Whakatane. Futsal is a fast paced version of football played with a weighted football. Players such as Messi and Ronaldo mastered their trade playing this version of the game, now over Summer WaiBOP would like to invite all players to continue playing football and give Futsal a go. The game is non contact like Basketball with a foul count. Sessions will start at 7pm and last till 9pm, depending on teams you will get a minimum of 3 x 15 minute games per night. Each player will be required to pay $4 per night, this is to cover Referee and hall charge. You can arrive on game day 1 in a team already or just turn up and we will assign teams on the first night. Please spread the word as more players means a more competitive tournament. Mike Ward.

8 October The Sponsors Cup stays with Whakatane, though Rangers gave them a late scare as they hung on for a 1 - 0 win. A game played in good spirit. Click here for some photos.

5 October Woh, three times in a week! Three different photos of Richie in the local press in the same week. That's saturation coverage! Way to sell newspapers though!

30 September How much bad luck can you have for one game? The biggest game of the year. Three front line players all unluckily couldn't play and Ngongy score a lucky goal to win the Bowl! Well done to them. It was obviously meant to be! Read the report and check out the photos. Best part of the day was the Ngongy player who did a victory haka for his team after they were presented with the Bowl.
Now Rangers will have to trust for better fortune in the Sponsors Challenge this Sunday. Oi Oi !!!

24 September There have been rumours that Whakatane might not be able to field a team against us on Sunday 7th for the Sponsors Challenge. The Whakatane coach Mike Ward assures us it's game on. He has a squad!! Make sure you're at training this Wednesday, ready for the big game on Saturday. The Bowl final. Remember, it's a 12 noon kick off at the Mount.

22 September Today the Awakeri Junior Football Club had their break up. Check it out on their website. We have several Rangers players who grew up playing for Awakeri. See who you can spot on their honours board!!!

17 September Jezza has sent an enthusiastic message from Perth to the boys. Check it out on our guestbook. Adam has replied too.

16 September Rangers played a good second half to beat Taupo 3 - 1. Here's the report, minus a certain incident.. Rangers women on Sunday were runners up in the Pullar Bowl, with Kylie player of the day. The report.

9 September Rangers prize giving is on Friday 26th October. Keep it free! We'll be having the AGM then as well. Further details to come.

STOP PRESS Whakatane have just confirmed they can play Sponsors' Challenge on Sunday 7th October. It'll be a 2.45pm kick off, at Awakeri.

P.S. Yesterday's game was refereed by Aussie visitor Ross Mitchell. He did a fine job, lettting the game flow and not getting sucked into lots of minor appeals. He still managed to book Andy though, something noone else has done all season!

8 September Rangers men had to settle for a 0 - 0 draw at Old Blues, but called in to watch Whakatane take out the league at Te Puke. That win also confirmed Rangers gaining 3rd place. TCU Relics were also on the sideline, but Whakatane's win meant they came second, even after beating Ngongy 7 - 1 away. Wett was Rangers player of the day, narrowly ahead of Kirk, John and Andy. Here's the report.

3 September After a shocking start, Rangers came right to beat Old Blues 4 - 2 and progress to the final of the Bowl. Player of the day Richie, Ben and Jaiden got two each. Here's the report and lots of photos. Rangers will play Ngongy in the final on the 29th.
Afterwards there was plenty at stake in the Te Puke v Whakatane game. Some roudy, uncouth home supporters gave the Whakatane team some uncalled for verbals from the sideline. These two meet again next week to decide the league, with Te Puke taking bragging rights from this one 2 - 1.
On Sunday Rangers women were down to the bare eleven and fought valiantly against Rotorua, going down 0 - 11. Click here for photos of the game.
Could be Sunday 7th October for the Sponsors' Cup game with Whakatane.Club meeting after training on Wed to talk about end of year things. Be there and have your say. 8pm

30 August Some fun 8 aside football at training last night. It now looks like 22nd will not be the Sponsors Cup challenge. Negotiations continue!!

25 August Rangers had a real battle with Te Puke today, and were perhaps fortunate to come away with a 3 - 2 win. Some great goals from both teams, and Andy Brabant 88th minute winner. Here's the report.

24 August. Heaps of good football at training. Hopefully our pitch dries out for Saturday! Check out Photo of the Week to see what happened at Joel's 40th. Cheers Kirk!
It's looking likely that the Sponsors' Cup game will be Saturday 22 September. Keep it free!
NZ Under 20 Women play Mexico Sunday night 10.05pm. Its live on Sky. A draw puts them into the second round of their World Cup. Go girls!

19 August Rangers women were drawing 1 - 1 with Whakatane at one stage! However, the final score was rather different. A Kate Simons goal was the highlight, pouncing on the rebound from Holly Davis's shot. Keeper Stacey Flintoff was player of the day. Stacey was in the wars, being unnecessarily booted by Whakatane player-coach Brooke Rangi after diving on the ball. Hopefully, after the swelling goes down on Stacey's hand she'll be OK to play the next game. Maddy Savage had a good game in defence, and Jess Doney got the supporters hopeful when she had a shot on goal.

18 August The Awakeri pitch is closed today. Game postponed.

16 August Lots of football on TV with the Premier League starting this weekend. Also though, the NZ Women's Under 20s are in the U-20 World Cup. Three games live on TV: Sunday 7.05pm v Switzerland; Wed Sept 22 10.05pm v Japan, Sun Sept 26 10.05pm v Mexico.

14 August Taupo have agreed to a 2pm kick off on Saturday, to help release the boys for Joel's birthday! A big game!! Only paid part subs? Don't forget about the rest!

12 August Breaking news... Rangers have drawn fellow Bay One side Old Blues in the semifinal of the Bowl on Sept 1st, kick off 12 noon at Mt Maunganui. Div Two sides Ngongy and Papamoa are in the other semi.
A Jaiden Ibbetson hat trick helped Rangers beat Tauranga City 4 - 1 today. Kirk was player of the day. Here's the report and some photos.
Tonight Andy's sister, Karen Hanlen, races in the mountain bikiing in the Olympics. Oi Oi Karen!! From 11.30pm.
A few surprises in the results today. Relics lost again, at home to Taupo, so Taupo will be tough opponents at Awakeri next week. Whakatane were held to a draw by Otumoetai. Well, we know how that feels!

7 August TCU Relics have bravely put a up match report, in their usual entertaining style, on their web site. A new nickname for Wett.... "Sasquatch"?? Read their report here.

5 August Atrocious conditions helped Rangers demolish Relics at Links Avenue. Wetts had a great game in goal. Benny Fretwell immense in defence, Richie lasted the game well, a very good all round showing.
Darby Hawkes played his first game for Rangers since 1999! Check him out through the rain in Photo of the Week. Here's the report, which also cover Rangers women, who had a good home outing in slippery conditions. Kate S was player of the day.
Oops sorry, the photos mentioned on 14 July were uploaded wrongly. Click here to see them!!

2 August The NZ men are out of the Olympics, but NZ women are in quarter finals. They now meet World number ones USA on Saturday morning. It's at 1.30am. Better record it so you can watch it to get ready for the Relics v Rangers battle. Our Olympic results.

31 July This Sunday is the first round of the Bay Knock out Cup. Rangers have been given a home game, home to Rotorua, 1 pm start.
Crunch time for both NZ football teams at the Olympics. Can they do it? Tomorrow the Ferns are on at 6.45 am, have to beat Cameroun.

29 July Rangers men win 3 - 0 at home to Ngongy. Deja vu all over again! Two more disputed 'did the ball cross the line's, one counted. James Hart is in the box, he wants to shoot but Ben M looks like stealing it. "Me me me! " he yells and the ref blows him up for not calling his name! Kirk (yes Kirk!) scores his first even goal in ten years of senior football. Here's the report.
Meanwhile, Rangers women had a day to forget in Taupo, which we already have. And, no, own goals don't count towards golden boot!
Tonight the Olywhites (men) play Egypt at 11pm. This morning NZ women were desperately unlucky to lose the Brazil 1 - 0 in the last minutes.

27 July Oh dear, the Olywhites will be hurting to lose to Belarus after playing very well and a goalkeeping error. The Olympic sched.

23 July Whakatane Town women's team have lost their points after playing an unregistered player against Te Puke on July 1st. Their 7 - 3 win has turned into a 0 - 3 loss.

22 July Rangers women had a good first half against Te Puke, but got taken apart late in the game to lose 10 - 0. Keeper Stacey was player of the day. Read the report. Coming up this week is the start of the Olymipic Games football, NZ women v Great Britain on Thursday morning, NZ men v Belarus Friday and so on. Check out the NZ schedule here. Six games in a week, woh!! Better get your sleep now!

21 July Rangers men were happy to earn the three points today. It was a fast and furious affair. Downsides: Jimmy Krause rolled his ankle pretty badly and Ngongy got a red card. James Hart player of the day. Here's the report. Best moment: Joel Ogilvy's overhead kick!

18 July The draw is out for the Cup and Bowl round on 28th July. Rangers have Ngongy at home, a week after we play them in the league! Deja vu Otumoetai! Check out the rest of the draw on the BOP results page.
Richie is away this Sat, at ex-Rangers star Harley de Lacy's wedding in Vanuatu. All the best Harley and Lucy from the Plains Rangers crew.
Don't forget the Events Centre Winter Bash this Saturday night. Wett will have tickets at the game on Sat.
Club meeting after training next Wednesday. Have your say! Bring any unpaid subs too please!

15 July Rangers women and Unicol had a good game today, despite the wind and rain. Unicol won 6 - 0. Here's a report.

14 July Rangers grab a win in the Bowl. Hitting the woodwork didn't count and Rotorua made the most of it, taking the lead twice. However, Rangers got there in the end. Wett scored two (isn't he the goalie?), Jacob played netball, Bazza got in the road of Richie's power drive, Rotorua's keeper made a couple of great saves and got a red card..... read the report. Plus.... some cool photos (warning, a bit of a Wett fest).
The Hoodies are ready!! Kylie is now taking extra orders! Wett has tickets for the Tui night next Saturday. $30 each. Bring money to training.

10 July Training tomorrow night.... let's have a full turn out. Later, at 10.30 pm on Sky is the NZ U23's v Japan in an Olympic warm up game. Talking about TV, on Friday night (appropriately Fri 13th) at 10pm starts a new TV 3 show Jono and Ben at Ten. No it's not our Jono and Ben, but one of these shows will have ex-Rangers player Ashley Hawkes having the piss taken out of his Drink Drive ad, in fact they flew him over to do some extra filming specially!! Talking of names, one of the kids on the sideline on Saturday was saying "Why do all the Rangers players start with J?" Of course they don't but quite a few: Jimmy, Jimmy, Jaiden, Jordan, Joel...

8 July Rangers women lost 13 - 0 today at Old Blues, showing the continuing improvement this season. Keeper Stacey was player of the day, and Mishka was unlucky to have a shot cleared off the line.

7 July Rangers struggled at Papamoa today, missing a few players. A late fightback made for an exciting 4 - 4 draw. Here's the report.

5 July The Awakeri Events Centre is holding their midwinter bash on Saturday 21st July. It's sponsored by Tui Brewery, so there are deals along those lines, and as Rod McPherson informed us recently, the Tui girls will be there.
Rangers are doing very well in the Federation's Respect The Ref points, with the men only earning 1 demerit point and the women none. Both teams are leading their divisions for getting fees refunded at the end of the season. Keep being Good everyone!! Full points will no doubt be listed on the Fed's web site.

3 July Men have a 12.30pm kick off at Papamoa this Saturday, so Hone and all can get their party plans going! Remember, last chance to give Kylie your hoodie money at training on Wednesday.
Woh, a lot of traffic on our web site since Saturday! 118 Sat, 200 Sun, 260 Monday! Must be everyone looking at the photos!

2 July A good defensive effort from Rangers women today. Late goals in both halves were the difference, with Kawerau winning, somewhat luckily, 2 - 0. A good spirited game. Here's the report, plus here are a few photos.

30 June Well, well, well... Rangers finally got in the goal scoring mood, and poor Otumoetai were on the receiving end. Ben Howe started it in the first minute. Jaiden got a hat trick. Keeper Wett scored again. Seven different people scored! Here's the report.

28 June The draw for the Bay Sportsmed Bowl is out. Rangers have drawn a home game to div two Rotorua Utd on July 14th. Check out the rest of the draw on our BOP results page.

25 June Plains Rangers hoodies... $45 each or $50 with your name on them. Let Kylie know at training this week if you want one, then money to her by next Wednesday. They're navy blue with the Plains Rangers logo on and Oi Oi Rangers, Kylie will have a sample at training. Go on! Oi Oi!

24 June Rangers women put in a good showing at Tauranga City, going down 6 - 0 in the end but hasving had quite a bit of the game. Ref Jack Travis was in no mood for granting Rangers women favours. The pocket rocket was player of the day.
Report for mens and womens games here, and here are a few photos of the men's game, just in case you blocked it out of your memory already!

23 June Oh the pain... Rangers having taken the lead in extra time, had a late penalty awarded against them and then lost the penalty shoot out. Hone player of the day, with Wett also in top form. Rangers exit the Cup.
In better news, the new Rangers hoodies were being modeled on the sideline today. They look very nice. Orders are being taken, $45 each

19 June The Phoenix draw for next season is out, with a home game against Sydney on Oct 6 to start the season. Click here for a look. Benji Totori who tormented the All Whites for the Solomon Islands has been signed by the Phoenix, while QPR have signed Ryan Nelsen. Does this mean Bazza will become a QPR fan like Dan and Muggs? Um...it'll help!

17 June A nasty injury to Hailey Benner marred Rangers women's game at Rotorua. Hailey was knocked out by a powerful kick sending the ball into her face. Thanks to one of the Rotorua players, a paramedic, who helped Hailey till the ambulance arrived. However, Rotorua were keen to up their goal difference and were keen to play on against Rangers women, who didn't really have their hearts in it from there on. Read the report. Meanwhile, Whakatane women knocked over Old Blues.
Indoor Football on Monday nights has been cancelled, due to lack of numbers. Oh well, it was fun.
In other news... a day for health worries, Jeff Krause, who decided to take up rugby this year, has a knee injury. Rangers referee from Saturday Lance Ewens ended up in hospital with chest pains after the game, Allan Graham of the Events Centre is in Melbourne hospital after becoming ill on holiday, hopefully Jordan and Justin are okay after their bloody head clash... It didn't pay to have associations with Plains Rangers this weekend! Get well all of you! Best wishes.

16 June Gutted! Whakatane scored a late winner to take the derby 1 - 0. Rangers deserved at least a share of the points. Jimmy Krause player of the day. Here's the report.

13 June Plenty of intensity at training tonight preparing for the derby with Whakatane this Saturday. Rangers were plastered all over the Beacon today, nice photos of Ben, Hone and Jaiden!
A good club meeting too, with progress in many areas. Kylie is taking orders for some cool looking Hoodies. They'll be around $50.
Sadly, no more indoor football. A poor turn out on Monday saw the end of it.

10 June A good win 3 - 0 to Rangers, two 25 metres strikes, lots of misses and Wett comes up from keeper to score from a corner! Ref Neil McCready did a fine job, including blasting some of the longest whistle blows ever heard! Here's the report. Don't forget indoor football Monday, 6.30pm at Awakeri, $5 each.

7 June Subs!! If you haven't paid them, bring full or part subs to Barrie on Saturday. $125 full subs, the cheapest around probably.
The draw for the Bay Sportsmed Cup is out. Rangers have been drawn at home to Otumoetai on 23 June, 2pm kickoff. Click here for the full draw.

5 June News just out that the Knock Out Cup has changed its name again.... Bay Sportsmed Cup (replacing CNS Clinic Cup and Tasman Cup). The rules seem to be the same. Click here to download them. Round One is on June 23.

4 June Quite a few Rangers players watched neighbours Whakatane bow out of the Chatham Cup today, losing 2 - 0 to Mangere United. The young Whakatane keeper won't have very fond memories of the game which was dominated by the referee's whistle throughout. However, Mangere did look sharper and probabvly deserved the win. In fact all BOP teams are now out, with Whakatane losing by the smallest margin! Check out our BOP results page for their Chatham Cup scores.

3 June Rangers were unlucky to go down at Te Puke 3 - 2. Rangers were missing Christian Wetting in goal but Richie (yes, Richie!) did a good job in his place; however a deflection off Jordan's shoulder was the winner, with two decent penalty shouts turned down. Here's the report and some photos.
A shock result in Bay One with leaders Relics being overturned by Otumoetai today.
Because of the long weekend, no indoor football this Monday.

27 May Rangers women put up a valiant effort against a strong Whakatane team, eventually losing 7 - 0. Read the report. Here are the photos.

26 May Rangers had a strong 5 - 0 win at Taupo, despite missing several players. Jordan got player of the day, with notable games from Kirk, Jaiden and Hone as well. Read the report. Here are some photos too.
Good luck to Rangers women tomorrow, at home to Whakatane in the local derby at 12.30 at Awakeri. n.b. All Whites game kicks off at same time, so set your recorder for that! Drive safely those boys coming back after a night out in Taupo celebrating!

24 May Good trainings last night in prep for a big weekend. Rangers men are meeting at Edgecumbe Rugby Club 10.30am Saturday morning for the Taupo trip. Some updated player profiles have been done. Check out Wetts, Jaiden, Jacob, Ben F, Andy and Richie.
All Whites had a very good 2 - 2 draw against El Salvador in the USA today. They play Honduras on Sunday, all in prep for World Cup qualifiers.

22 May A good turn out at indoor on Monday, some good skills and competitive spirit shown by the men and women. All welcome next week!
In our Guestbook, someone is clamouring for more of the player profiles to be available. Bazza will have them at training Wed, so if you haven't filled one in, or want to update yours.... Keep the world entertained! Also, in our fun poll, there seems to be a war about the question on our women's team golden boot. Lots of votes!

20 May Rangers women were smoking hot today, well.... there was smoke anyway, blowing down the pitch from a nearby burn off! Rangers women played some of their best football against Taupo, and put pressure on their goal quite a few times. Here's the report.
Some good photos of the men's game yesterday. Cheers photographers Skinsy!

19 May Rangers weren't at their best at Tauranga City. Perhaps leaving the strip behind and having to play in a TCU strip didn't help (many thanks to our hosts for lending us one). We stiill created a few decent chances even though we lost 1 - 3. Deano had a strong game in cente midfield, with Ben F standing out at the back. Read the report.
Remember, our girls are playing at home tomorrow, 12.30pm and indoor Monday night 6.30, bring $5.00

15 May A pretty slack turn out at indoor last night. The awful weather might have put some people off. Still, the old fullas nailed the young fullas. One more chance next week. We need 12 people to be able to pay for the gym.
Congratulations to neighbours Whakatane Town for progressing through to the next round of the Chatham Cup. Check out the remaining BOP teams in the Cup on our BOP results page.

13 May Well it was a really good battle. Relics came through in the end, 1 - 0. Rangers had a penalty saved and Relics blasted one over the top. Christian Wetting was fantastic in goal for Rangers, player of the day. Here's the report, which includes Rangers women's trip to Te Puke. It was Mothers' Day, playing the rain....
Indoor football starts at the Awakeri Events Centre gym this Monday evening (14th), from 6.30pm. $5 a night. Men's and women's teams welcome and other people who want a good work out. Sneakers aka trainers on your feet, bring your own water.

8 May Oh dear.... Blackburn are relegated (Bazza), QPR are fighting for their lives (Muggsy and Dan), Man City might be champions (Jezza), one round of the premier league to go.
Meanwhile, the Beacon has a timely reminder for Rangers about what happened last year. If you want to know how much Relics are relishing the prospect of the top of the table clash this Saturday, click here for their web site and read the latest match report.

6 May A solid 3 - 0 win away at Ngongy for Rangers men. Jaiden outstanding all game, a goal and an assist. Here's the report and some nice photos.

30 April Lots of votes on our fun poll over the last few weeks, and Jezza has left a message on our guest book. What no Waikato in Perth?? Perth - it's just a small town in Scotland!

29 April In the end it was a hiding, but Rangers women were up against a very strong fluent Old Blues team who played some excellent football. Newcomers Mishka Barry and keeper Stacey Flintoff impressed, along with player of the day Kelly Wilson and young winger Gillian Green. Here's a report. Not included are the very amusing drop ball drama between Monique Lowrie and Kate Collier, Kate Simons getting flattened by two defenders as she ran towards their goal and the unfortunate news that Hayley 'Bruiser' Warner is heading down to Oamaru. Her whole hearted play will be missed.
Coach Michel has a number of things he would love to work on at training, so a full turn out would be great, injured or not! Be there Wednesday!

28 April A good win in the end to Rangers against Papamoa in a fairly even game. Captain Ben McPherson scored both goals 2 - 1, with the winner in the final minutes. Here's the report.

25 April Thanks to those people who brought in fees tonight. $125. Our women have injury troubles for this weekend. Anyone else keen for a run?? Ring Kylie on 0212667080. The womens report has been corrected (again!). Very good numbers for the mens squad with three new players turning up tonight.
Bored? Check out these YouTube videos that Ash sent from his nostalgic place in Sydney
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3VMUlMy0wEM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJZ4n-9LS50&feature=related (The commentary in this one is hilarious!!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60131-PGIGE&feature=related

23 April Rangers women have today doubled last year's total goal tally, and should have been awarded more. Although going down at Kawerau 10 - 2, caoch Michel and the team would have been happy with the football they played. Kate S had a shot rebound over the line from the crossbar, but the goal was not given. However, she did score in the second half, and sent over a corner that the Kawerau keeper couldn't keep out either. Read the report and here are some photos.

21 April A well deserved win today, but 1 - 0 made it a nerve wracking last fifteen minutes. Chris Johnston player of the day, one of several to shine. Wett made things interesting, Kirk got flattened, Adam and Ann Marie made the sideline a colourful affair! Here's the match report.

19 April Club meeting after training next Wednesday. Reminders: Subs $125 are now due, men bring $5 to game this Saturday, be there 1pm. Coach Richie has a large squad to choose from, so be supportive even if you don't make the playing squad! Our women deserve support too as they take on rivals Kawerau at Tarawera Park Kawerau on Sunday at 12.30pm. Oi Oi Rangers.

16 April Rangers men started the season with a valiant comeback to draw away at Whakatane 2 - 2. Player of the day was debutant James Hart in defence, with other first time starters Jacob Heath and Andy Brabant also contributing well. Today Rangers women put in a stirling display , losing 4 - 0 to Tauranga City. Julie Reihana was their player of the day. A big difference to losing 21 - 0 last season! Here are the reports of the games. Here are some photos of the men's local derby.
Heaps of draws in men first round, only Taupo got a win!
At a loose end? Our fun poll has been redone for the new season. Have your vote here.

3 April The draw is out. First up the men have a local derby, at Whakatane, while the women are at home to Tauranga City. Polish those boots! April 14 and 15. Rest of the draw will be on this site soon. Here are our list of games.
This Saturday night 9.30pm, Wellington Phoenix are away to Perth Glory in the minor semifinal. Go the Nix! Jezza, and maybe Matty Ward and friends will be there! Oi Oi Phoenix!

30 March Action packed second half as Phoenix go ahead 2 - 0, conceded two goals and then get a late pen to carry on through the finals play offs. Tim Brown scores after announcing his retirement.
Rangers women have another preseason game this Sunday, 9.30am at home to Whakatane.
Men and women's trainings are now Wednesday 6pm at Edgecumbe Rugby Club.

27 March Rangers trainings are likely to be Wednesdays from now on at Edgecumbe Rugby Club, starting 6pm. This will be confirmed after a meeting this Thursday.
News from the Federation of team entries in the BOP leagues:
MENS BAY 1: Ngongotaha, Old Blues, Otumoetai, Papamoa, Plains Rangers, Taupo, Tauranga City, Tauranga City Relics, Te Puke United, Whakatane Town.
MENS BAY 2: AFC Fury, Kawerau Town, Ngongotaha, Old Blues, Opotiki, Otumoetai, Papamoa, Rotorua United, Taupo, Tauranga City, Te Puke United Youngunz, Turangi Wanderers, Whakatane Town.
WOMENS BAY 1: Kawerau Town, Old Blues, Plains Rangers, Rotorua United, Taupo, Tauranga City, Te Puke United, Whakatane Town.

25 March Phoenix lost 2 - 1 to champions Central Coast, but now look forward to this Friday night when they host Sydney FC at 8pm in the prelimary final. It'll be a big night in Wellington.

24 March Rangers women had a useful preseason game against the classy Taupo team today. Rangers held their defensive shape well in the first 30 minutes, with Kelly Wilson doing a fine job. A couple of new young strikers showed some good touches and showed they might well cause defences problems if given the chance.
A big game for the Wellington Phoenix tomorrow, 4pm as they host Central Coast, the league leaders in the final game before the playoffs start. The Nix can possibly get to 3rd if they win. They also have a home playoff next Friday night 8pm in Wellington. There is a dog fight going on to see who will get through, out of Sydney, Newcastle and Melbourne Heart.
Rumour has it Dean Butterworth might well be turning out for Rangers again this season. It's been a while since Deano last took the field, but his contributions are always memorable.

6 March A good men's training, with 15 there plus apologies. Club meeting confirmed Margaret Nillesen as our new secretary and announced that Christian Wetting was elected a life member at the AGM. Congratulations Wett, well deserved. Rangers women have a confirmed preseason game at home to Taupo on Saturday 24 March, kick off probably midday. Trainings will continue at Awakeri Monday for women and Tuesday for men until daylight saving end, then both teams will train Wednesdays at Edgecumbe, with the possibility of indoor football on Monday nights at Awakeri.

4 March Meeting after training Tuesday. Men's training needs a good turn out. Be there 6.30.
Wellington Phoenix peppered the Goal Coast goal today but their keeper pulled off some miracles, however the Nix eventually won 2 - 0 to move back to 3rd place with three weeks left.

27 February Rangers women had 19 at training tonight, with reports of excellent training under new coach Michel Nillesen. Richie will be hoping for good numbers at the men's training Tuesday evening 6.30pm.
Coming up on Wednesday, a rare treat, NZ All Whites playing Jamaica at 7.30pm in Auckland. NZ's stars are all back for the game. The Phoenix players will be buoyant after their win at Sydney on Saturday.
Rangers club meeting after men's training next Tuesday 6th March, all members welcome. Meeting starts around 7.45pm at Awakeri School, room 14.

19 February Men's next training is THIS TUESDAY at 6.30pm at Awakeri. Women are tomorrow (Monday) night 6pm. Good to see Andy Brabant at training today. Richie proved that he's not cut out to be a keeper but he's an astute coach. Richie sneaked extra fitness training in by having volleying practice and fetch your own ball when you miss. Some players clocked up quite a distance!

12 February Great news, Richie's dad Michel will coach the Rangers women's team. They have their first training tomorrow (Monday) evening at Awakeri 6pm.
Rangers men and women have another kick around on Sunday, 2pm. Rangers player muster went well enough today. For the record, the greens, featuring Christian, Cammy, Jacob, Kirk, Hayley and co beat the yellows.
In not such good news, the Phoenix sat back for too long against Brisbane and eventually lost 2 - 0, with captain and vice captain Durante and Brown suspended for next week for collecting their 5th yellow cards and Sigmund carted off injured. Never mind, the Nix are only away to league leaders Central Coast!

3 February Four wins in a row for the 2nd placed Nix, Ifill in amazing form, Siggy playing with bloodied head bandage. Check out our Phoenix pages.

21 January Another good win sees the Phoenix up to 3rd place in the A League. Manny Muscat scored a terrific goal, showing defenders can be quality! We at Rangers know that!

18 January Keep your eyes on this page to find out when Rangers pre-season training starts. Meantime, The Wellington Phoenix are doing well in the A league, next game on SKY 10pm Friday against Newcastle Jest, oops, I mean Jets. Can the Nix win two away games in a row?

31 December Woh, Sydney who are the Phoenix's next home opponent just got thrashed at home 4 - 0 by Melbourne Heart. Hopefully they will still be on a low when they play in Welly on January 4th. Happy New Year everyone. This website is on holiday for two weeks.

23 December What a Christmas present from the Phoenix! Five excellent goals against Newcastle! Brillian attacking. Jezza, Lena, Gina and Ashley got to shake hands with Ricki Herbert afterwards too.

20 December Another Rangers export coming up... player of the year Tom Davison is off to Whangarei next year. He will be missed, having done a great job in the midfield last season. Congratulations on your new appointment Tom.
A few Rangers players will be in the crowd watching the Phoenix on Friday night, as they take on Newcastle. Watch on TV at 7.30pm, hopefully Jezza will be behaving himself!

18 December Sounds like a major coaching change at neighbours Whakatane. Long time coach Werner Rechsteiner has been replaced by Federation employee Mike Ward.

14 December A great Phoenix win, 2 - 0, against the league leaders Brisbane Roar, in Dunedin. Ifill made the difference. Tenacious defence against the slick passing Roar side.

10 December The Nix scored a late winner with a bullet header from defender Siggy that anyone would be proud of. Check out our Phoenix pages.
Cricket fans would have been switching between the test v Aussie and the football. Go the Kiwis!
Oh and... happy 21st birthday for Cammy Wills, ex-Rangers winger, now starring in Westport.

6 December Brisbane's record 36 game unbeaten run was finally ended by Sydney at the weekend. The Nix entertain far away Perth Glory this Saturday. "Small town in Scotland, you're just a small town in Scotland..." you can guarantee the Yellow Fever fans will be singing to the visitors!

27 November Ifill early goal for Phoenix, then a Tim Brown wonder goal, robbed the ball at half way and lobbed Sydney keeper Liam Reddy, who just collected the ball as it bounced back out of his goal. Good win to Nix.

25 November Dave Cook of AFC Fury fame was wanting to know BOP / Fed league tables back over the last few years, so just in case anyone else was interested.... here's a link. Cheers Dave.

19 November A Phoenix record for an ordinary league game, over 20,000 turned up at Eden Park yesterday. Rangers player Adam Barkla was one of those who missed some of the game in the long queues outside trying to buy tickets. Bazza was abused for standing up in the crowd to chant etc. Jezza led some crowd singing... "Shake it up baby now..." Check out our Phoenix pages.

13 November Quite a bit of talk about who's coming back to play for Rangers next year. Rumours include Adam Barkla, Mark Jeynes and even Rhys Berghuis. Sounds good!
A chance to watch the Phoenix play, next Saturday 19th at Eden Park, 5pm. Oi Oi! Tonight at 7pm the Nix have a massive assignment, away to Brisbane, who are unbeaten in 32 games! Live on Sky. STOP Press The Nix pulled off a terrific defensive display to hold out for a 1 - 1 draw.

30 October Yet again the Phoenix dominated, but lost, this time to Melbourne Victory.
Refs, what your take on Daniel's "goal" being ruled out. The Victory keeper has a hand on the ball, which is on the ground. Daniel kicks it into the net, but no goal!

24 October The Phoenix played well, but went down to a Shane Smeltz goal at Perth. Manny Muscat was sent off late, meaning he'll miss the much anticipated game at home to Melbourne Victory this Sunday. The details.

18 October The Phoenix, despite a massive number of obstacles, kept their good start to the season going with a deserved 2 - 0 win against the Jets. Two undeserved red cards won't help for next week's trip to Perth, along with five long term injuries already. The Thanks Terry tee shirts were popular with the crowd, with the best thanks being the performance.

12 October Here's the president's report from the AGM. The highlights are worth a read.

10 October A small turn out for Rangers AGM. Richie Nillesen appointed Rangers men's coach for next season.
The Phoenix had a solid start to their season, despite being injury hit, a 1 - 1 draw away at Gold Coast. Check out our Phoenix pages.

30 Sept Rangers AGM is set for Wednesday (5th Oct) at 8pm (to allow Kirk to get there) at Awakeri School (because the Events Centre was already booked!). All welcome. Turn up and have your say. We are looking for a new secretary, not a huge job but it needs doing.
Happy 21st birthday to Rangers skipper Ben McPherson!!
The new A League season kicks off next weekend. The Phoenix are away to Gold Coast on Sunday.

27 Sept Rangers had a very enjoyable break-up / prize giving night at the Events Centre on Saturday. Kylie Keys won the Personality of the Year trophy for the Club
Here's the rest of the prize list:

11 Sept A terrific game to end the season. Muggsy had the players pull their positions out of a hat, and Rangers played some great football, despite the following line-up: Goalie: Adam; Right back: Big Ben, Centre backs: Kyle and Jaiden, Left back: Bazza; Right half: Jeff, Centre midfield: Wett and Tom, Left half: Ben F, Strikers: Nestor and Jordan. Subs: Kirk and Sam. Both teams played some great football. After the break it all happened, Ben M had goal ruled out for offside, and shot cleared off line, Jeff hit the post, then Old Blues scored twice in 2 minutes, then late in the game Ben M finally scored and Jeff scored with a header. 2 - 2. Total excitement on the sideline, with the women's team and Taupo visitors making plenty of noise and waving the odd pompom. Here's the report.
Referee Tracy Te Kiri had an excellent game in the middle, with good decision making, and a sensible manner of talking to the player when they needed it. His sense of humour was an added bonus! (The refs to Bazza at half time "We almost called the game off before it started!" Bazza: "Why's that?" "Those tyres in the goals (they are there to prevent the council's mower from hitting the stakes that hold the uprights in place)... have insufficient tread depth!")
In a shock result, Whakatane beat Otumoetai, to deprive them of winning the league, so TCU win it instead! Rangers' draw denied Old Blues 3rd place as well and a shock in Fed One when Te Puke had their first win, 4 - 1 at the expense of Fury!

4 Sept Rangers men put up a good showing, going down to Whakatane 1st team 2 - 0. Tom player of the day (again!), with Jeff and Adam also showing out. Rangers women halved their first meeting loss to Whakatane with a 9 - 0 loss. They played some good football, Ann-Elise player of the day and Hayley Warner highly commended. Read the match reports and have a look at some photos.

28 August Rangers women put in another defensive shift, with Maria the player of the day, going down at Tauranga City 14 - 0.

27 August Rangers unlucky against Otumoetai, going down 2 - 1 but with chances to at least gain a point.. Ben M the scorer, Tom player of the day, lots of people did well including Chris Stanton, Kyle Knight, Ben Fretwell... Read the report.

25 August Plains Rangers Prize Giving break-up night is Saturday September 24th, at Awakeri Events Centre, from 6pm onwards. Prize Giving at 7pm.$10 an adult. Families welcome. Keep it free. The Nix are playing the next day at Bay Park. Oi Oi Rangers! Good to see Kyle back at training last night, the first time this year!
The Sponsors Cup challenge with Whakatane 1st team is 3rd Sept at Whakatane, 2.45 pm kick off. Rangers women play Whakatane women in the curtain raiser.

22 August A good battling performance put up by the women at home to Old Blues yesterday. Stout defending by Essie, Kelly and Maria dealt with many attacks and crosses the visitors put in. Player of the day Amy who made some brave stops in goal. Quote of the day from the sideline... "Keep the pressure on her Pia - Pia pressure!"

20 August The Wellington Phoenix are coming!!!!! Sunday September 25th 3pm at Baypark, a pre-season game against Central Coast Mariners, aka the Salty Dogs. Should be awesome. Experience the atmosphere of professional football. It leaves rugby games in the dust! Tickets on sale on Thursday, August 25, available through TicketDirect at Baypark, Baycourt or by calling 0800 4ticket.
A very fair, unbiased match report from the Whakatane derby, click here. Well said Nic.
Today's game was a nightmare, 2 - 0 down at half time, late in the game it was one way traffic, 9 - 0 final score. That's the match report. Stop.

18 August Club meeting after training next Wednesday. Please bring along any outstanding subs.

17 August Great publicity in the Beacon yesterday! A good training tonight, with some good pressurised possession. Check out Emma's player profile!

14 August A win!!! Rangers men took out the local derby with Whakatane at Awakeri yesterday. An exciting match kept the vocal crowd entertained. Tom scored early, catching them napping by taking a free kick early. Whakatane equalised when a long cross sailed into the top corner. Skinsy scored the winner with 5 to go, chesting down a pass from Jeff and scoring in brilliant fashion. The crowd went wild!! Here's the report and some nice photos - Ann-Marie the photographer.
What brought about the change in Rangers fortune?? The flash haircuts? Jimmy driving back from Gissy again? Muddy womens gear left in the men's change room? Who is number 4 - we know, we know...
Rangers women were not so lucky, putting up a good fight but going down to Matamata, who arrived late but got straight into gear. Kylie was player of the day.

9 August The draw for the Pullar Bowl semi finals is out. Rangers women are away to Tauranga City on August 28. Check out the whole draw on our BOP results page. Here, belatedly, is a version of the women's trip to Taupo. It's an epic!
If you think football is tame around here, not so in Wellington. Read these incidents from this season!
AUG 2011 A club football match had to be called off after 10 minutes of fighting, arguing and pushing between rival players. Three players were sent off and the referee says he was pushed in Saturday's match between the Stokes Valley Killer Bees and North Wellington Varsity at Delaney Park in Stokes Valley. "I didn't think he was going to stand up and punch me ... I got one in the eye then he took about three or four more swings so I was ducking down thinking, 'OK, I don't really want to fight anyone,' so I did a tackle and took him down just to stop him punching me." Both men were sent off, and another Varsity player was sent off soon after. Ram was left with a black eye and sore head.
JULY 2011: A 37-year-old masters player from Brooklyn Northern United urinates on the new artificial turf at Wakefield Park. He was banned for six games and fined $300. Another team was banned for drinking beer on the turf that day.
APRIL 2011: Lower Hutt City goalkeeper Lisa Pahl is banned for five games and fined $200 after knocking out a Waterside Karori player who taunted her with: "Are you even a girl?" Lower Hutt City player Jake Theron is suspended for seven weeks after head-butting another player – though Theron argues he only "mimicked" the head-butt.

6 August Rangers couldn't maintain their very good first half form, going down at Otumoetai 3 - 1. Jaiden scored, Jimmy, after driving over from Gisborne was player of the day with a top effort in the midfield. The report.
Unfortunately, Rangers women can't get a team together for their Pullar Cup game tomorrow.

4 August Sponsors Cup is most likely to be on Sat Sept 3rd. Keep it free!!
Rangers men meet at Edgecumbe 12 noon Saturday to travel to Otumoetai. A great warm up will be watching NZ Under 20s at 10am on Sky against Portugal. More keeper heroics? More spectacular goals!

2 August The draw for the CNS Cup semis is out, check it out on the BOP results page, date September 3, which is also a possible date for the Sponsors Cup game against Whakatane Town.

31 July Rangers exited the CNS Cup yesterday, losing to a late goal, 2 - 1 at Ngongy. Jaiden was player of the day, after setting up Muggsy for our goal, and having a great all round performance. Here's the report, also some awesome photos of all the action. Thanks to our professional photographer!

28 July Read an entertaining version from the Relics point of view of Saturday's game.
Plus a few interesting votes on our poll. Who's voting for Rangers teenagers??

25 July A good effort, although a loss for Rangers women. Hayley the Bruiser was impressive! The report.
Should be a good photo in the Beacon tomorrow of the men's game, they sent through two beauties to be identified - Jaiden and Cammy - beaut photos I mean! News from Nicolas that he is now in Malaysia, didn't manage to get to say goodbye like he wanted to. "Of course thank you very much for the chance to training and play on the team, great atmosphere and nice people as well. I would remember this nice time."
Goodbye and good luck from us to you too Nic. It was lots of fun!

23 July ****** the team played well, but we still managed to lose 2 - 1 to the Relics. Guest appearance from Cammy Wills, Kirk Bain had his first run after a serious injury three years ago, Wett pulled off a couple of stunners in goal, Jordinho was player of the day, Skinsy scored, Richie injured his knee, Nestor injured his foot, here's the report.

19 July The draw for the CNS Cup quarter finals is out. Rangers have another trip to Ngongotaha, to play the Bay One team that they met only a week ago, with a 12.30pm start. Time for revenge! Check out the rest of the draw on the results page.

17 July Rangers made it through to the CNS Cup quarterfinals with a penalty shoot-out win over Ngongotaha. Rangers missed a number of chances, and were 1 - 1 at the end of 90 minutes and extra time. Adam Mayor pulled off two saves in the shoot out to allow Wett to seal the win with the final penalty 4 - 3. Richie made life interesting for himself and the team by getting stuck out on the ocean with boating dramas until he finally turned up halfway through the seond half! Today was also Jaiden Ibbetson's first game of the season and he acquited himself well. Read the report.
PS The Women's World Cup final is on SKY tomorrow morning (Monday) at 6.45 am. Japan v USA. Should be a good one!

11 July Rangers women had a good battle with Kawerau, going down 2 -0 in the end. Here's the report, and here are some photos of the game. The Pullar Cup draw is out. Rangers women have Old Blues away, in the first round (August 7th). Check out the rest on our BOP results page.

9 July Another good performance without a result for Rangers. 3 - 1. Adam player of day in goal, Jimmy the scorer. The report.

6 July NZ Women had a great final World Cup game this morning, 2 - 2 against Mexico. Club meeting was very worthwhile. Rangers are starting the journey of becoming an incorporated society. Progress is being made with regards to separate changing and showers for referees at the Events Centre. A fundtraiser game is going to be played, to assist Harley and Lucy, on Sunday 24 July. Its likely to involve players from the Whakatane and Rangers men's and women's teams.
Rangers men, meet at Edgecumbe at 11.30 am on Saturday, to travel to Ngongotaha.

3 July Unbelievably, Rangers lost to Taupo at home, 2 - 1. Goal disallowed, hit the woodwork three times, two good penalty shouts turned down, pinball in Taupo area and we lose! Ben Fretwell super game at right back, player of the day. the Report. And some nice photos!!
Today the women played Rotorua. Here's the Report.

2 July NZ gave England.a huge fright in Women's World Cup this morning, leading for most of the game, going down 2 - 1 in the end. Let that be inspiration for Rangers this weekend. Well done Football Ferns.

29 June Lots of good work at training tonight. Men be at Awakeri 1 pm on Saturday. The weather will be fine!! Tomorrow morning 10.45 am NZ Under 17s play Japan, Sky Sport One.

28 June A gutsy effort by the NZ Football Ferns, losing to no. 4 ranked Japan 2 - 1. Take heed Rangers women!

26 June Hmmm, Rangers women lost at Tauranga City. I'd better not put the score here, though if you understand Maori it's rua tekau ma tahi ki te kore! There won't be many hangovers after that!
Looking forward to the NZ Women's first World Cup game, on TV at 1 am Tuesday morning. NZ v Japan.
Coincidentally, NZ also play Japan in the second phase of the Under 17 World Cup, 6pm on Wednesday if my maths is right! We'll be at training!!

25 June What do you do on a sunny day when there is no football? Sigh!! At least tomorrow there is a crucial Under17 World Cup game on TV at 11am, New Zealand v USA, winner goes through to next round, draw - maybe. Also Rangers women try and get revenge on Tauranga City, way. Oi Oi Rangers!
Stop Press! The draw is now out for the next round of the CNS Cup. Rangers are to meet Ngongy's Bay Two side, at home on July 16th. For full results and the draw go to our BOP Results page.

24 June Turangi have defaulted, so the Rangers men have no game yet again. A shame, after a good turn out at training, with Joel, Paul and John arriving to bolster numbers.

21 June NZ 4 Uzbekistan 1, a great result for U-17s at World Cup. Check out the cool as official site. Next game Thursday morning, 10.45am on Sky TV , v Czech Republic.
NZ 0 Denmark 1 in final womens world cup warm up game.

19 June Rangers women will now play their game with Whakatane on September 4th.
The NZ women's team had another win, in their World Cup warm up, beating Colombia 1 - 0.
Also, the mens Under -17 World Cup is about to kick off, Sky Sports Monday 7.45am NZ v Uzbekistan.

18 June Awakeri fields closed today, game postponed. Shit weather. Will women's game be on at home tomorrow? No, it's been postponed as well. Rangers now play Old Blues on Sept 10th. See our BOP results page for other postponements and some results.

15 June The CNS Cup draw is out. Rangers have Turangi, at home on 25th June. Check here for the rest of the draw.

14 June For the next exciting World Cup action, we have.... the FIFA Women's World Cup starting in Germany this month. NZ is in Group B with England, Japan and Mexico. The warm up games start on Thursday morning in Switzerland. Check out our page of NZ's games here.

11 June Rangers played well in patches, despite a rearranged line-up. Tauranga City scored early, capitalising on Rangers new centre back pairing. They scrambled in a second from a corner, while Ben McPherson hit the post, and scored later. A 2 - 1 win to City. Here's the report, and no Skinsy, it does not mention a certain shoulder charge on their keeper! Tom was player of the day.

10 June Sadly, our women couldn't get a team together for the trip to Te Awamutu, so they have defaulted.

8 June A good training tonight. Nestor's volley was a rocket!! Lucky Adam didn't actually get near it in goal! Men meet at Edgecumbe Rugby Club 12.30pm.on Saturday.

7 June This Saturday's men's game is at Blake Park Mt Maunganui. No doubt we'll be getting changed at Links Ave first.
As for the women... in the words of Crowded House "She had a blind date with destiny, and the sound of Te Awamutu had a truly sacred ring...."

1st June Some updated player profiles - Check out Kayla, Hailey, Jessica, Richie, Adam, Sam, Jordan, Nestor, Nicolas. Fun small sided games at training tonight. Now it's a weekend off.

29 May Rangers women had a good game at Old Blues today, despite the scoreline. Donna Bain was player of the day. Here's the report.Kirk is very poetic!!

28 May Rangers created a lot of chances in their 0 - 0 at home to Papamoa today. Shot blocked by own player, shot off underside of bar, etc. Here are the report and photos. Tom Davison player of the day. A good debut by Chilean Nestor Rocha too, some touches like what we might see from Lionel Messi tomorrow in the Champions League final, 6.45 am.

27 May This Thursday, All Whites v Mexico, live on Sky Sport 2 pm. Maybe MySky it unless you have a very understanding boss!

25 May Some new player profiles Stacey H, Ben M and Stacey B. Check them out from the link on the left. Watch out for a debut from our Chilean players this Saturday. Nestor and Nicolas.

23 May Rangers women put up a good fight against league leaders Taupo. Report.
Ryan Nelsen's Blackburn Rovers stayed up in the Premier League, joined by Muggsy's and Dan's favourite QPR. There might be a few bets on that game next season!

21 May A horror first 25 minutes cost Rangers in their local derby at Whakatane. 4 - 0 down, the boys battled back, ending up 4 - 2. Report.

15 May Rangers women's report against Te Puke.

13 May Awakeri's grounds have been closed, after three weeks of rain has left them sodden. Rangers men's game has been postponed until 27 August.

8 May Rangers women did well in their game against Kawerau today. The game was moved to Tarawera Park an hour before kick off, because one end of the Awakeri pitch was still a bog after all the rain. Many thanks to the Kawerau team for agreeing to host the game and for referee Andrew Mitchell being happy to go along with it. Esther scored our first goal, a beauty!! Amy and her opponent were in a massive tackle that they both got up very slowly from. Maria has damaged her fingers stopping a close range shot, hopefully she'll recover quickly. Here's the report. Here are some photos.
Club meeting after training this Wednesday.

7 May Rangers crashed back to earth, given a footballing lesson by the TCU Relics 6 - 1. Injuries and sickness didn't help Rangers cause. Big Ben got his eye stitched up after a collision with their keeper early in the game. Report.
A bizarre result also in Bay One, with Rangers next opponents Otumoetai losing 7 - 8 to Tauranga City.

5 May Sad news through today, that Kawerau Town's men's team have withdrawn from the league. Kawerau have been a major player in local and regional football over the years, spending quite a while in the top divisions of the Northern League. Results against them have also been taken out of the league table, unfortunately for Rangers.

4 May Our training goal is up and running. Well done those players who braved the damp conditions and practised bulging the net tonight! Early kick off on Saturday, so we're meeting at Edgecumbe at 10.30am.
Good luck to our women, playing the big local derby against Kawerau this Sunday.

1 May Mayday Mayday Rangers women, after their long trip to Hamilton, fought hard against the classy Melville team, losing by a big margin. Kelly Wilson earned player of the day with a strong showing in defence. Melville didn't impress with their ease of hitting the ground to earn penalties though. The brief report.

30 April A large crowd witnessed a frustrating game today. Rangers came agonisingly close several times, Tom hit the bar and a Ngongy defender clawed the ball off the line in the last minute, earning his team a nil all draw. A couple of yellow cards were handed out, luckily nothing like the Fed game in Whakatane where 8 yellow cards and 2 reds were issued. That's a lot of money in fines! Sadly Kawerau couldn't field a team and defaulted today. Hopefully they can get their numbers together. Rangers report.
Good luck to our women tomorrow, a long trip to play Melville, top of the Waikato A division.

27 April Subs are due $125. Bring whole or part payment to training. Check out the new player profiles of some of our women players! They have certain interests in common!! Follow the link on the left.

25 April Kevin Fallon's Mt Albert Grammar has always progressed past the first round of the Chatham Cup, well, since 2000. Today however, they lost at Old Blues 2 - 1. The rain was like Rangers game over there, but some good football from both sides, considering. To check out other BOP teams in the Cup go to our BOP results page.

23 April A hugely rearranged lineup with 5 regular starters missing, but Rangers did the business at Taupo. Muggsy was player of the day, scoring the opener and laying on the passes for Chris Johnston and Ben McPherson to score. Wett scored with his left foot, while Adam's run of clean sheets was ended with a penalty. Here's the report and some photos.
Next game a huge one, Rangers and Ngongy, both unbeaten, meet at Awakeri on Saturday.

20 April We're meeting at the Edgecumbe Rugby Club at 10.45am on Saturday for the trip to play Taupo. Rangers will welcome Chris Johnston back, Wett back in the midfield and Muggsy up front. Just like old times!
Check out our fun poll - have your say, it's been updated. It may be pointless, but who cares!

17 April Rangers women keep on improving, despite being down to a bare eleven today. Jess Bailey earned the free beer in an 11 - 0 result at Rotorua.
Highlights of the men's game yesterday . . . . apart from the great football . . . Jimmy Krause being the enforcer, Jezza's cartwheel, having more supporters than the home team, despite the continuous rain, having twice as many at the aftermatch function as well, another clean sheet, Cammy sportingly deciding not to score in his last game. Here's the official report of the weekend's football.
p.s. our subs are due. If you think $125 is steep, don't play in Aussie!!. Ex-Rangers player Ashley Hawkes just paid his subs in Sydney - AUS$560.00 - that's about NZ$750!!!

16 April A good win 2 - 0 away to Old Blues in the rain. Strong team play all round. Goals to Ben McPherson and Richie Nillesen. Ben Fretwell player of day. Report to follow.

15 April Cameron's last game for Rangers tomorrow. Let's make sure it's a good one! The Mayor is likely to be in goal too. A couple of defaults in other leagues, pretty disappointing! Check our BOP results page for the fixtures.

13 April Rangers men be at Edgecumbe Rugby club at 12.30pm to travel to Old Blues. It's at Waipuna Park, Kaitemako Rd, Welcome Bay.
Fees are due. $125 - it's a bargain!
A few beers after training tonight to celebrate Cammy's last training. Watch out Westport!! Bet they can't break dance like Jezza, or do action songs like Maria's girls down there!

10 April Rangers women put in a good first half, only down 4 - 0 at the break. The TCU forwards were getting caught off side in their eagerness. Here's a short report. and photos.

9 April Rangers grabbed a 1 - 0 win today against TCU. Rangers dominated the first half, hit the woodwork, but 0 - 0 half time. Early in the second half Scott Marrow tucked away a rebound for the game's only goal. TCU fought back well but to no avail. Rangers will be sorry to see the Marrow brothers Scott and player of the day Hayden disappear off to Christchurch this week. Quote of the day from Wett "It's a Marrow transplant!" Next week sees livewire winger Cameron Wills's last game as he too disappears to the mainland. All of a sudden Rangers squad has shrunk. Report. and photos.

5 April A couple of time changes for the men on 16th April and 7th May. Click here.

3 April Rangers women's team put up a valiant effort against Whakatane in their first outing. With half of the players playing their first game of football, it was always going to be tough. Rangers hung in there till the end despite conceding plenty of goals and came extremely close to scoring. A Whakatane defender got back to clear off the line. Player of the day Ann-Elise Reynolds, who looked dangerous on attack. Esther Geerlings gave as good as she got in the centre midfield, Kelly Wilson was strong in defence. Maria Puutu also played with confidence. Some photos!

2 April A good start to the season, Rangers put together some composed football, beating Kawerau Town 4 - 0. Two goals in each half plus three good strikes on the woodwork made for a satisfying game for coach Aaron Muggeridge. Cammy scored 2, with Scott Marrow and Tom Davison both scoring on debut. Tom was player of the match. The most dramatic event happened at the aftermatch function, with the Kawerau kitchen catching fire, Sam racing in there to douse the flames with an extinguisher, and the smoke, fumes and arrival of the fire brigade meaning the aftermatch speeches were concluded outside the building and the meal was abandoned!
Read the match report and see the photos.

31 March A good turn out of women at their final preseason training tonight. The short game against the men was some players first ever game, but there was plenty of good spirit and a keen attitude.
Transfers for Scott and Hayden Marrow have been cleared, with both likely to make their debuts on Saturday, along with Tom Davison and Ben Howe.
Trainings from next week are Wednesdays at 6.30pm at the Edgecumbe Rugby Club.

26 March A hard out, fast game against Lytton High from Gisborne this morning. The visitors opened the scoring, then new signing Scott Marrow equalised after being put through their defence after half time. An errant pass from a Rangers defender gave the visitors a late chance, and they retook the lead, before Cammy Wills danced into the penalty area before squaring to Marrow to make it 2 - 2 late in the game. Keeper Wetting had to pull off a couple of strong saves, and it was good to see Jimmy Krause back on the park again. Lytton then had a couple of hours to reenergise before a second game against Whakatane. Good luck! Especially to their player carried off with a serious looking knee injury.

24 March A good first up preseason game. Rangers started slowly, getting used to some new combinations. Kawerau went closest in the first period, with a lob going narrowly over the bar. The second third brought some good attacking moves, and great build up play from Tom Davison and Ben McPherson was well finished off by Cammy Wills to give Rangers the lead. Rangers patient passing eventually wore down the visitors. In the final third, substitute Barrie Hawkes scored, with a shot heading for the right bottom corner deflecting off a defender to go into the left bottom corner. Ben Howe capped off a good debut with a lob over the Kawerau keeper's head late in the game. Plains Rangers 3 Kawerau 0. Coach Aaron Muggeridge would have been pleased with the combinations developing. The centre backs Jeremy Hawkes and Jono Whitaker were tight in their work. Centre midfield combinations of Davison and Howe, and Davison and Ben Fretwell looked very useful too. Christian Wetting showed he had lost none of his goalkeeping instincts with a sound display.
Rangers need to be at Trident at 10am Saturday, will they be able to ignore the All Whites game starting at 12.30am Sat morning against China and/or the NZ cricket quarter final against Sth Africa over night as well!!
Check out our fixtures for the season here.

23 March First pre-season hit out tomorrow evening against Kawerau, then Saturday against a team from Gisborne. New signing in the Rangers midfield: Ben Howe. Does anyone know who we can get to roll the pitch at Awakeri to get rid of the bumps?? Ring Barrie 3222076.
A text to Jezza from his mate George from Gisborne - What are you doing Saturday bro? I'm coming to Whakatane.
Jezza - Got a game against some team from Gisborne.
George - See you there then!

19 March The draws are out, subject to changes. First up games are two local derbies...... men v Kawerau, away on April 2 and women v Whakatane, away on April 3. A rather daunting opening match for our newly formed women's team!! Both squads are happy to have reinforcements if there are any keen players out there. The first rounds of the draw are posted on this site, it is available on the Federation web site.
Announcing the signing of Thomas Davison from Whakatane Town. Tom is well known for his coaching of the Trident High School 1st XI and will be a welcome addition to the Rangers midfield. Others signings pending.

17 March Welcome to our new secretary - Stacey Bain, who is also the manager of our womens team. The womens team is currently training on Thursday nights at Edgecumbe Domain, 6pm. More players welcome. Phone Stacey 3228699.
Preseason men's games next week:
Thurs 24th, v Kawerau, 6pm at Awakeri.
Saturday 26th v a Gisborne team, 11am at Trident High School.

16 March An entertaining run at the beach last night, ending with a game of beach football and then a swim. Playing in the dark with a black ball, still no excuse for Jordan to score two own goals! Reminder, all welcome to meeting after training tomorrow (Thurs) night, 8pm in room 14 Awakeri School.

13 March Training this Tuesday is at West End Ohope Beach. Be there 6.30pm. A pre-season game against Kawerau has been pencilled in for Thursday 24th.
Brisbane Roar won an exciting A League grand final tonight after being behind to Central Coast 2 - 0 in extra time and grabbing the penalty shoot out.

12 March Rangers gear has been treading the boards in Whakatane. Club sponsor Brian Skilling had a lead role in Death and Taxes, and for a considerable part of the show wore the Rangers strip. Well done Brian!
The draw for div one of the Federation League is out. See here...

11 March Club meeting after training this Thursday (17th) at 8pm in Room 14 Awakeri School.
Phoenix fans are likely to be very upset with the news today that star 19 yr old Marco Rojas is leaving for the Melbourne Victory, probably their most hated club. Check out this video!! Rangers star 19 yr olds had better not leave for any local rivals!!

8 March Our site is now back up and running. A good men's training tonight. The defence was looking strong. First game is on the horizon, a friendly with a visiting Gisborne team on Sat 26th March, then the league kicks off April 2nd.
Our women's squad has had a couple of trainings, with another one due on Thursday. More players welcome in both squads.

20 Feb Phoenix's season over with undeserved loss to Adelaide away in heavy rain. A counterattack goal to the home team was the difference.
In BOP football news, Chatham Cup entries due by March 4th, BOP senior clubs meeting at Waipuna Park on Monday Feb 28th, 7pm.

17 Feb Muggsy handed out some Club expectations of players, some motivational thoughts etc to everyone tonight. Good to see the return of Jordinho from his time overseas. Some nice passing and running at times too.
Awakeri Football junior enrolments are happening. Check out their web site for more info.
Huge play off sudden death game for the Phoenix tomorrow night 10pm. Lets hope they nail Adelaide!

15 Feb Well done to the hill running freaks for their efforts up Latham's Track tonight! Training at Awakeri on Thursday 6.30pm.

13 Feb The Phoenix have got through to the play offs with a scratchy win 3 - 1 against Fury. The highlight, Danny Vukovic, the keeper, scoring the final goal, from the penalty spot. Check out our A League draw page for the play off finals schedule.

7 Feb This Thurs, 6.30pm at Awakeri field stations, medium intensity exercises, small games to finish. All welcome. Next week Tuesday 6.30pm run up Latham's Track. Meet at Wett's place at the beginning of the track (round near the Awakeri Hot Springs), followed by cold drinks, tactics and game play talk. Thursday 6.30, at Awakeri.
This Wed night a badly depleted Phoenix play Sydney away, 9pm.

5 February A fine turn out at the muster last night. Lots of talent. Next run Thurday 6.30pm at Awakeri. Wett has a good looking schedule to make sure we're all fit!
Great game by the Nix tonight, winning in Adelaide for the first time ever.

28 January Plains Rangers first player muster next Friday (4 Feb), 6pm at Awakeri. Play some football, afterwards the bar will be open, barbecue available if you want to bring some food. For further details ring Barrie 3222076 (president) or Aaron 3048994 (coach) or Kirk 3238353 (second team organiser).

23 January The Nix had a good 4 - 0 win in the rain and wind tonight. Highlight ... our keeper Danny Vukovic punting the ball with the wind, one bounce, over their keeper (who'd already scored an own goal), hit the crossbar. Unlucky! The Yellow Fever telling him to shoot every time he got the ball after that! Memo for defenders and goallies: Don't let the ball bounce!! Check out our Phoenix pages, present and in the past.

22 January Drama in the A League last night with Adelaide setting a new league record score, beating Nth Queensland 8 - 1. Could be more tonight with the Melbourne derby, both teams Victory and Heart fighting to get into the top six along with the Phoenix and Jets. Hope for a negative 2 all draw!

19 January Phoenix game that was postponed due to the Brisbane floods has been rescheduled to Wed 26th at Gold Coast's ground. Three games in seven days: home, away to league leaders then home again. Tough.

16 January Not long till training begins . . . 18 days. Some people have all ready started.
The Phoenix pulled off an excellent win against Melbourne Victory last week, with 19 year old Marco Rojas carving them up. Central Coast are now the form A League team, with a good win over the Nix, now an away win over the Jets.
Some Rangers players won't be too thrilled with Blackburn Rovers knocking QPR out of the FA Cup, so we won't mention that!

3 January 2011 New Year resolutions anyone?? Get down to watch more Phoenix games. More clean sheets. Take the Sponsors Cup off Whakatane. Win BOP 1st division. Not to get sent off. To be more constructive in communications with the ref. To turn up to training earlier. To clean my boots. To polish my boots. To find my boots. Now we're getting specific. Shin pads? Oh shit. Find them too. Go for a preseason run. Have a kick around with family and / or mates / or at least the dog. Only 4 weeks and 4 days till our first run.

31 December Only five weeks till the first Rangers run.... Check out our guest book if you're bored. Or watch this cool You Tube Photo show of that CNS Cup semi final.

28 December The Phoenix were a bit lucky to escape with a 1 - 1 draw last night away against North Queensland. Brave refereeing denied the hosts a penalty and a goal after the ball may or may not have crossed the Nix line following a goalmouth scramble. The poor linesman had to sufer a torrent of abuse from the home fans for the final minutes.

26 December Great game between Brisbane and Gold Coast tonight. Torrential rain throughout, lines had to be remarked during the game! Two Kiwis shone Kosta Barbarouses and Glen Moss. 2 - 2. The weather could be very similar for the Phoenix game against North Queensland tomorrow (Monday) night 10.15pm. Check out our A League pages.

25 December Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Rangers players and supporters. Pre-season training only six weeks away! If you're near Wellington on Wed Jan 5th, a 7pm visit to the Phoenix game would be lots of fun and entertainment. They host Melbourne Victory, starring Robbie Kruse, Kevin Muscat and co.

18 Dec A great win by the Phoenix, 4 - 0 against the Newcastle Jets, even with Ifill off early injured, and Durante suspended. 19 year old Marco Rojas carved them up!

14 Dec Pasty's injury a tibial plateau knee fracture, same as Jezza's. Hope he gets healed quicker than Jezza, it took him two years.

12 December Paston bad knee injury in Nix loss at Gold Coast. Ricki Herbert banned from coaching for a week after abusing ref last week.

5 December Stop press . . . . Siggy scores a late near post header to help the Nix win 2 - 1 in front of 14000 Chch fans. Brilliant second half! Very tempting to be in Wellington on Sat 18th for next home game v Newcastle. Check out our Phoenix pages.
Lots of football action everywhere but here... Ryan Nelsen scored for Blackburn, Sydney got thrashed 4 - 0 by the Mariners (justice for them cheating against the Phoenix on Wed), Melbourne Victory thought they'd won after coming back from 2 - 0 down, ahead 3 - 2 only to concede a last second goal to Brisbane. In form Adelaide play the Phoenix in a few hours in Christchurch. 5 pm. Should be a good one.
Muggsy sent out a text saying to keep fit over the summer. Less than two months till Rangers start training. Wett also has lots of schemes for preseason fitness, so beware!

2 December At the AGM, finances were presented, the president's report tabled (click here), officers elected with president and treasurer being retained and a new secretary being approached. Fees were set at $125 per player, regardless of the division. 1st team coach Aaron Muggeridge, trainer Christian Wetting, 2nd team coach Kirk Bain.
First muster of players in 2011 is on Friday 4th Feb, 6pm at Awakeri, with a social time to follow.
Last night the Phoenix played very well, losing to two dodgy Sydney goals (off side and a blatant hand ball) 3 - 1.

29 November Plains Rangers AGM this Thursday 2nd Dec at 7.30pm at Margaret's place 22 Bridge St Edgecumbe. All club members welcome. Remember, we need a new secretary. Come and have your say about the year and the new season coming.
The Phoenix did well to grab a 2 - 2 draw with the Melbourne Victory last night. Highlights included the Yellow Fever chanting "No surrender to the IRD" in support of owner Terry Serepisos, Kevin Muscat getting nutmeged, the Victory keeper kicking the ball out time after time and Paul Ifill's goal.

24 Nov Nix back to their winning ways with a 2 - 0 win at home to Melbourne Heart. Saturday they're at it again, home to Melb Victory. Hopefully same result!!

20 Nov Rangers AGM coming up, date to be confirmed. Phoenix tonight 9 pm.

6 Nov Stop press!!! 41 seconds and Tim Brown scores the winner with a great volley!! 1 - 0 win to Nix.
The Phoenix have a tough away game at Perth tonight, with both teams trying to overcome bad runs of form, both locked on the same points below the middle of the table. Elsewhere in the A League, leaders Brisbane Roar, down to ten men ran riot against second placed Adelaide 4 - 0, Kosta Barbarouses scoring twice and Melbourne Victory scored an own goal to lose at home to Gold Coast. I n t e r e s t i n g !

2 Nov News from the Federation about next year's fees.... a red card will cost you $50 per playing day suspended. Look out! Criticism (verbally or written by club) $250 fine for first offence, $500 2nd offence. The after match speeches are going to be tactful affairs! Not advising the Federation of results on time $30. Clubs have been sent copy of the costs for next season. These are just a couple of samples.

30 Oct Rangers prize giving was an entertaining evening, with Pottsy and Jezza arriving two hours early and setting up camp in the grounds. The accolades went to: Christian Wetting (Player of the year), Cameron Wills (Players' player and Young Player of the Year), Jeff Krause (Most promising), Jeremy Hawkes (Sportsman), Adam Mayor (Endeavour), Ben McPherson (Golden boot), John Noblett (Personality). Check out our Honours Board to see all the past winners!

24 Oct A few notes from the Federation BOP clubs meeting the other night: Next season starts Sat April 2nd 2011 and ends Sun 25 Sept. All transfers will be completed online via Goalnet. Automatic one up one down promotion / relegation within BOP leagues. CNS Cup and Bowl to continue. In the Fed league meeting, agreed that two up two down promotion / relegation within the Fed Leagues and that Katikati, West Ham and Waikato Unicol will be admitted into Fed Two.
A reminder, our prize giving breakup night is this Saturday at Events Centre, from 5.30pm. $10 an adult. Team photo will be available for order : $15 each and copies of Cup final DVD available for order as well.

19 Oct How did the Beacon get that wrong? 3 - 2, 3 - 2, 3 -2. Oh well.
A few interesting posts on our guestbook lately. Have a read, add yours!

17 Oct The sponsors challenge was a well fought battle yesterday, some excellent football, a close result, a red card, a good crowd was well pleased with the entertainment, and the legendary Buzza played the last 20 minutes.
" I felt like I was in centre midfield," says Bas afterwards.
"You were!" retorts Muggsy.
Here's the match report. Here are some great photos (Thanks Zara).

14 Oct Winston Reid not so legendary after the game against Paraguay, red carded after a pretty shocking tackle. Hopefully none of that this Saturday when the builders teams line up against each other. Look out for the appearance of a true Rangers legend instead!

11 Oct The count down is on till Saturday's sponsors' challenge with Whakatane. Training this Wednesday. Hopefully the cricketers will be there and available.
Hopefully Cammy will have found his way back from getting lost in Auckland trying to get to the All Whites game!
All Whites v Paraguay tomorrow night will be worth watching.

7 Oct Legendary interview with Winston Reid on TV3 tonight...
Specific memories of playing football in NZ? "yeh after football I always had a can of Coke and a pie. I'm looking for a dairy!"
What's training like at West Ham? "Same as anywhere, warm up, touches with the feet, then bugger off home!" Click here to see the item.
If you're not available for the Sponsors Cup game next Sat 16th, let Muggsy know ASAP so we can organise the line-up.

5 Oct Remember training Wednesday still on!!
Sounds like a few Rangers players will be in the crowd at the AWs game v Honduras this Saturday night. Ryan Nelsen, Leo Bertos, Shane Smeltz, Winston Reid....
A shocking start to the A League season for Sydney FC, no wins and bottom of the league after nine rounds. Oh dear!! At least the Phoenix are mid table.

30 Sept Rangers break-up and prize giving will be held at the Awakeri Events Centre, Saturday 30 October, from 5.30 pm onwards. $10 a head for food. All welcome.
Cool photos in the Beacon Pottsy and Ben M!
Training on Wednesdays as usual till Sponsors' Cup game is done.
All Whites game against Honduras in Auckland next Saturday (9th) tickets selling fast.

28 Sept Here is the belated match report from Saturday.
Last night was the final night of indoor football. Training on Wednesday as usual, with a meeting to follow at 7.30pm.

26 Sept Some disastrous defending negated the flying start Rangers got off to against Ngongotaha. Rangers, with great goals from Adam Barkla and Jimmy Krause looked untroubled after 30 minutes, but a pointless penalty and then three goals in five minutes in the second half meant the visitors won 5 - 3.
In better news, Rangers will hold onto their fourth place, with Whakatane getting thumped 5 - 0 away at Taupo yesterday.

22 Sept A good fun practice session tonight to unwind from the trials of the Cup final and get in the mood for Ngongotaha on Saturday.
The Sponsors' Challenge date has been set. Saturday 16th October. It's about time we took that trophy off Whakatane, so we'll be discussing on Saturday how to keep things going for the three weeks.
The Awakeri Juniors have their break up and prize giving this Saturday from 10am till 12 noon. Come along and view the potential talent! People like Jezza, Jono, Wett, Ben, Ben, Chris, etc were all Awakeri juniors once! We'll be encouraging the juniors to stay and watch Rangers play Ngongy.
Looks like Saturday 9th October is now free, so a trip to watch the All Whites play Honduras in Auckland could be the go.

20 Sept A rather pointed review of Saturday's final in the BOP Times today.
Indoor is free tonight.

19 Sept Now the Phoenix go and lose too. Great start to the week.
On a more positive note, this news itme appeared today. Could it happen?? We'd have something to thank rugby for!
Tauranga offer for Phoenix
9/18/2010 12:32 PM
Tauranga's Bay Park could provide a temporary home for the Phoenix who'll be forced to move during next year's Rugby World Cup.
Tauranga's Bay Park is offering to be the home of the Wellington Phoenix during next year's Rugby World Cup. The start of the A-League season will clash with the Rugby World Cup and Wellington's Westpac Stadium won't be available for Phoenix home games from September 1st to October 11th. Bay Park Acting Chairman, John Adshead, says they've already entered negotiations with the Phoenix, the stadium is available and if they can agree on dates they're very hopeful of hosting the Wellington franchise.

18 Sept A disappointing first half, saw Rangers lose the CNS Cup Final 4 - 1 to Katikati, who were the better side on the day. A couple of soft goals, including a penalty didn't help. James Krause scored in the final twenty minutes when Rangers played some good football. Here's the report and here are some pics, if you can stand to watch! Thanks Jacqui J.

16 Sept Meet at Edgecumbe to leave at 10.30 am on Saturday. Lunch at the Mount then on to the game. The ref for the final? Finchy, which is good for a flowing open game.
Check out the message from sponsor Gary on the guest book!
The Nix deserved more than the draw they got at Melbourne Victory last night. Maybe they can win on Sunday when they meet new team Melbourne Heart over there.

13 Sept Indoor continues to be fast and furious, with Cam's German import Nich scoring some good goals tonight. Next Monday night is free (i.e. no cost).
After training this Wednesday, find a TV to watch the Phoenix playing Melbourne Victory. Kick off 9.30pm.

12 Sept TCU gave Otumoetai a hiding 5 - 0, The Phoenix grabbed a 2 - 1 win against Bling Sydney FC. How did ex-Rangers skipper Jason Pullar get on in the fight for life last night?!!
A couple of interesting entries on our guestbook lately, both from Aussie.

8 Sept A good training tonight. Since there is no game this Saturday, Rangers are meeting at The Office at 1 pm for socialising and lunch. Hopefully Richie is carrying on training in Bali, ready for the cup final.

6 Sept Well the Phoenix weren't too inspiring, but indoor soccer is still going strong on Monday nights. A two hour run around for $5, watch the nutmegs, own goals, Ben's backheels, and see how many more hours John's taped up shoes can last!

5 Sept In the end, a good win against Paps, 5 - 2, but it was harder work than it sounds, with Paps putting up a good fight. Goals to Ben M (2), Jimmy (2) and Cammy. Bazza player of the day. Here's the report.
Liz has set up a facebook account for Plains Rangers. She's got some good photos on there.
Watch out for the Phoenix playing Perth Glory tonight 7pm. It's the longest away trip in a domestic league in World football.

1 Sept Our catch up game with Ngongy is now scheduled for 25th September, Ngongy's other catch up game rescheduled. Check our BOP results link for the draw.

30 Aug Always interesting to read the other team's point of view. Check out TCU's version of our semi final here. Strangely enough they think the linesman was wrong a few times!

29 Aug Rangers won a dramatic Cup semifinal against TCU today. TCU led 2 - 0, 3 - 2, and 4 - 3 before Rangers grabbed the extra time leveller and then won the penalty shoot out 5 - 4. Here are some photos, here's the report. Rangers meet Katikati in the CNS Cup final on Sept 18th.
Yesterday's hit count on the website was our best yet 266 in the 24 hours.

24 Aug Now, here are Liz's photos. Oh and there's an addition to the match report!

22 Aug Here's the match report. Photos still coming.
The Phoenix ground out a 2 - 0 win to make it 21 games in a row unbeaten at the Caketin. Check out our Phoenix pages.

21 Aug Rangers had to battle, but eventually earned a 3 - 1 win against Te Puke. Scorers Ben McPherson (2) and Jimmy Krause. Report to follow, and watch out for photos, courtesy of Liz. Handballs, nutmegs, unmentionable through balls, misses, saves, a red card, plenty of entertainment!
Coming up . . . Tomorrow (Sunday) Phoenix v Central Coast at 3 pm
Sat 9 October NZ v Honduras, North Harbour Stadium, 7.30pm, tickets @ Ticketek
Tues 12 Oct NZ v Paraguay, Caketin, 7.30pm, tickets @ Ticketek

18 Aug A hard out training tonight to prepare the boys for the game against Te Puke this Saturday. A reminder that the game is at Awakeri. The Federation set this down after Te Puke defaulted their away game in the first round. Highlights of the training: Richie's 'shooting', Jezza stopping a shot from Wett very bravely, Jezza's volley, Bazza chipping John (again), John's saves in the dimly lit mud, Muggsy offering a quart as prize for the shooting exercise, which raised the stakes higher than usual, Cammy's thunderbolts, John trying to score with only headers, Skinsy turning up...

14 Aug Heavy rain meant our game today was postponed. The Federation have rescheduled it to Sept 18. They've been told that we plan to be in the CNS Cup Final on that day!! I guess we wait and see!
The Phoenix last night played out a 3 - 3 draw in awful conditions against Gold Coast.

12 Aug Ian Finch esq has been appointed sole official for Saturday. Finchy 'Slaphead' always referees in good style and communicates well with the players, just like he used to communicate well with the refs when he was playing. So, his presence should make for a good game on Saturday.
Warm up by watching the Phoenix play Gold Coast on Fridday night, 7.30pm on Sky.
The club meeting brought some very interesting discussion on future directions. Speak to someone who was there if you want to know!
We have approached Whakatane Town with some possible dates for the Sponsors' Challenge.

7 Aug Several Rangers players watched the entertaining Fed clash between Whakatane and TBC, no doubt looking for weaknesses in the Whakatane line up to be exploited in the Sponsors' Challenge later in the season!
Club meeting after training this Wednesday, 8pm.

4 Aug No game this weekend for Rangers, but plenty of football on. Tomorrow night (Thursday) the A League kicks off, new team Melbourne Heart v Central Coast Mariners, on Sky Sport 3 at 9.30pm.
Our Phoenix and A League pages are under construction for the new season.

3 Aug The CNS Cup and Bowl draw is out. Rangers have drawn Tauranga City, with Te Puke playing Katikati. Both games are at Otumoetai 2 pm on August 28th, with the Bowl games before us at 12 noon. Check the BOP results link for the draw.
Nice photo of Wett in the Beacon today, Chris is on the front page as well. A shame they didn't get the goal scorer's name right, eh Jimmy, and Jezza's player of the day exploits were omited as well. However, Jeff gets into Wett's photo and also gets his brother's goal, so it's a lucky day for him!!

1 Aug Rangers kept their four match unbeaten streak going with a 2 - 0 win in the local derby at home to Whakatane. A penalty was converted by Wett, and Jimmy made sure Ben's shot was going in to seal the win. Whakatane had their chances, a penalty saved by Rangers keeper John too. Jezza, playing like a demon despite having the flu, was player of the day, while Cliffy was Whakatane's pod. Here's the report. Yes Matt, I tried to give a moderately unbiaised account! Thommo, another ex-Rangers player, left the field with a head wound and got himself glued back together!
Some interesting scores in Federation Leagues, two 10 - 0 wins in Fed Two, and Taurange Boys took the challenge shield off Rotorua Utd.

25 July Rangers won their CNS Cup quarter final at Papamoa, 2 - 1. A late home team penalty made the last ten minutes interesting, but Rangers, with two goals from player of the day Adam Barkla, deserved their win. Here's the report.
Other CNS Cup results: Te Puke upset Otumoetai, Katikati beat TCU div two side, and TCU beat 10 man Opo. We're waiting to see who Rangers will meet in the semi on Aug 21st.

23 July The Wellington Phoenix knocked over South American legends Boca Juniors 2 - -1 in wintry Welly tonight. The Nix played very well and deserved their result. Goals to Dylan McAlister and Andrew Durante.

18 July A good win away at Taupo, 2 - 1, goals to Adam and Adam! Read the report, and check out Sam's photos.
A 6 - 5 result between next week's opponents Papamoa and Old Blues must have been entertaining!

16 July Indoor football is back on, Awakeri Events Centre, Mondays, 6 pm, $5 each. See you there.

14 July Sadly, the World Cup is over, life goes reluctantly back to normal, there were two Dutch shirts at training tonight, just prolonging the moment. Doesn't anyone have a Spain shirt?!! Did anyone notice: the rise of Paul the Octopus seemed to coincide remarkably with the fall of Moko the Dolphin? Paul got all his predictions spot on, he's world famous now. Moko, who was world famous, didn't get any predictions right, and now he's dead. Sigh.
Back to normality... Rangers are away to Taupo this Saturday, meet at Edgecumbe at 11am, bring your thermal shin pads. Next week in the CNS Cup Rangers are drawn to meet Papamoa away.

4 July An entertaining game at Tauranga City, down 2 - 0 early, led 3 - 2 at half time, hit the woodwork twice, drew 3 - 3. Goals to Ben, Wett and James Mitchell. Here's the report, and here are Liz's awesome photos.
Sounds like quite a few people going to Hamilton on the 10th July for the Phoenix Brisbane preseason game. Tickets from Ticketek.

28 June A good night at indoor tonight. Liz scored a hat trick! Sam left blood on the floor and Shaun had his shooting boots on. No more till 19th July.
An invite from Whakatane to their Hawaian Night, this Saturday, $5 entry, from 6.30pm, prizes for best dressed.

27 June Pretty unlucky to lose to Otumoetai today in the rain. Rangers dominated the first half and did well in the second, but a sloppy five minutes midway through the second half cost them. Goals to Richie and Cam. Jimmy had one disallowed, lost 3 - 2. Read the report.
Indoor on Monday night will be the last for a few weeks. 6 pm at Awakeri, $5 each.
Check out all the World Cup second round games here. Some great match ups.

25 June The NZ All Whites dream run in the World Cup is over. A 0 - 0 draw with Paraguay means we exit the cup unbeaten, above World Champs Italy in our group. We are very proud of our NZ team: Mark Paston, Winston Reid, captain legend Ryan Nelsen, Tommy Smith, Leo Bertos, Simon Elliott, Ivan Vicelich, Tony Lochhead, Shane Smeltz, Rory Fallon, and Chris Killen, subs Chris Wood and Jeremy Brockie, coach Ricki Herbert plus other squad players who didn't get on the pitch. You're all history makers.

21 June We're happy as! The All Whites draw 1 - 1 with World Champs Italy has brought the profile of football in NZ to a new level. Everyone's talking football. Ex-Rangers player Matty Ward was featured in the fans celebrating in South Africa (see here) . Good football at indoor soccer tonight too, as those awake enough to turn up emulated their heroes... toe poke goals, shirt pulling, dives... and that was just Cameron!

20 June News that Rangers game against Tauranga City has been brought forward to July 3rd, when the next round of the CNS Cup is on.
All Whites v World Champs Italy at 2 am tonight. Who'll be tired at work?? Lots of us, hopefully we'll be happy as well!

19 June Rangers were unlucky in going down to league leaders Katikati 2 - 1 in a hard fought game at Awakeri today. Johnny Noblett player of the day for a sound game in goal. Here's the report, here are some photos..

15 June Some great football at indoor last night. Remember, it's 5 bucks at the Events Centre, 6pm Mondays. Only a couple of hours till the All Whites are in action. Can they do as badly as Aussie? Aussie Aussie Aussie, eh John! (nb this is pick on John week).
A couple of very interesting comments in our guest book recently. Check it out!! Add your own.

13 June A good win yesterday, Jimmy broke his drought with a hat trick, Richie survived 30 min, Finchy reffed well. Read the report. Here are some photos, courtesy of Jacqui. Whakatane knocked over Katikati too.
England want a new keeper. Are you for sale John?!! Our World Cup scoresheet.

11 June Wett has his predictions for the World Cup plastered all over the back page of the Beacon today. Who's he picking??? Hmmm we wonder! Oranje is the colour! Tomorrow's ref Finchy is also on the panel, he's backing Brazil. Bring five bucks with you tomorrow Finchy and Wett will let you have a go in his World Cup predictions sweepstake.

9 June Guess who's down to referee us on Saturday? .... Finchy!! Woh, a huge turn out at training tonight, enough for 11 v 11 game. Looks like Richie Nillesen is back from injury and might get a run on Saturday.
The CNS Cup draw is out. Check it out on the BOP results page.

7 June Whakatane's run in the Chatham Cup came to an abrupt end today, losing 8 - 0 at Eastern Suburbs. Now Tauranga City is the only BOP team, left in it.
If you want to read the TCU version of Saturday's game, click here!

6 June A 1 - 1 draw at home with TCU, the visitors stealing their goal in the final seconds of the game. Jezza player of day, Adam B the scorer. Here's the report and some pics.
The Federation has brought forward our game against Katikati to June 19th, since we have a bye in the CNS Cup for that day. The other two in the top four (Otumoetai and TCU) also have their clash rescheduled to June 19th.
Indoor football is still on this Monday, $5 each, 6pm start at Awakeri Events Centre.
More mind boggling scores today, Turangi were beaten 20 - 0 in BOP div two, a 10 - 0 and a 6 - 3 in Fed One as well!!

4 June Next All Whites warm up game is 6.30am tomorrow Saturday. Get in the mood for TCU with NZ v Slovenia! Check out the main World Cup draw here.
Quite a few Rangers player profiles have been up dated, check them out! Jezza helped with some interesting info!
On July 10th, the Wellington Phoenix have a preseason game, in Hamilton, against Brisbane Roar. Unfortunately it's on a Saturday afternoon (we're due to play Katikati). The Federation is saying clubs can postpone their game (to the Sunday or later) if they want to attend the Nix game.

30 May Another brilliant result for NZ football with the All Whites beating Serbia 1 - 0 last night in a pre-World Cup 'friendly'. Serbia, ranked 15, (cf NZ 79) were rattled and fans invaded the pitch and threw flares and bottles, halting the game for several minutes. A special Smeltzy goal gave us the win.
Here's the Rangers match report from yesterday. To see the new strip, click here. Remember indoor soccer tomrrow night (Mon), 6 pm at Events Centre. Cost is ony $2 this week. Come and score like Smeltzy , or Ben, whatever!

29 May Rangers christened the new strip with a win at Papamoa today. Ben's goal made the difference in the end, with shots from both teams hitting the woodwork and Paps missing a penalty adding to the excitement! Here are some photos from the game, a report is coming shortly.
Some massive scores in the Fed leagues today, e.g. Fury putting 12 past Kawerau Town.

27 May Plenty of well spent energies this week, firstly a good turn out at indoor on Monday, then a good run on Wednesday too. Rangers will be sporting their new strip on Saturday, the new all green strip.
The format and rules for the CNS Cup has just been sent out by the Federation....
The Waikato Bay of Plenty Football Federation is pleased to announce that CNS Clinic will be sponsoring the Knockout competition for Men's Bay 1 and 2 sides to be known as the CNS Clinic Knockout Cup.
Structure for 2010
20 teams
" The 4 top ranked teams from Bay 1 as of June 6 will join the Cup competition at the Quarter Final stage.
" The remaining 16 teams will play in the Cup competition with the 8 losers of Round 1 going into the Bowl competition. The 8 winners continue in the Cup competition
" The 8 winners from the Cup in Round 1 continue to the second round dates
Cup - Rnd 1 June 19, Rnd 2 July 3, Quarter Final July 24, Semi Final August 28,
Final September 18
Bowl - Quarter Final July 3, Semi Final August 28, Final September 18
Venues and Times
In all matches up to and including the Quarter Finals, the first team on the draw will be at home with a 2pm kick off. The Semi Finals will be played at Fergusson Park and Finals will be played at Links Ave.
Semi - Plate kickoff 12pm, Cup kick off 2pm
Final - Plate kickoff 12pm, Cup kick off 2pm
Important notes
" Squads limited to 16 players; " No rolling subs; " Live draw date and time - to be advised; " Plate final - no extra time, if draw at fulltime penalty shootout occurs

22 May What do Rangers do when their game is called off? Go and watch another game... well, at least seven Rangers players were watching Whakatane play Ngongotaha, curios no doubt to view the Ngongy line-up and compare it to last week. There were a few similarities!
Don't forget, indoor soccer Monday 6pm at Awakeri, $5.

21 May Te Puke have defaulted to Rangers, sad! The return fixture on August 21 will now be a home game.

19 May Indoor soccer Monday night at Awakeri, 6 pm, bring sneakers or bare feet and $5 if you want to play.
Wett has organised a World Cup sweepstake, where you guess the scores and who goes thru the rounds of the World Cup. Get a scoresheet on Sat, $5 entry. What was the discussion after training? Holland to win the Cup (Wett), NZ to play them in the final (Bazza), Aussie to get thru from their group (John, well he would have said it if he'd thought of it!), Ghana to do well (Jezza), Which is the group of death? ...
Check out photo of the week for the Junior Club new sign at Awakeri!! It's almost better than ours!
Our new strip should be ready for Saturday! Go green!

18 May Chatham Cup draw has neighbours Whakatane away to past winners Eastern Suburbs on June 7th.
A reminder that players need to get their fees organised by the end of May. It's not far away!!! Looks like Whakatane leading Old Blues 2 - 0 before game abandoned at the weekend won't count. It's been rescheduled by the Federation. Check our BOP results page.
Only a month to the World Cup Yeeha! NZ v Aussie on Monday night 9.30pm Warm up game.

16 May A strong Ngongotaha lineup beat Rangers 4 - 1 yesterday, heavy rain and lightning formed an impressive background. Match report. Some photos too!

10 May A couple of very interesting and amusnig comments on our guest book this weekend!! Check them out! Add your own!

9 May Here's the match report. There are also some cool photos of the game here, thanks to Frank Wetting.

8 May A good win at Whakatane, 2 - 0, a tough Wett header and a toe in over the keeper from Cameron. A clean sheet for Johnny Noblett, plenty of war wounds, including Wett's self inflating eye, Paul's back and ankle. Whakatane keeper Jamie Cory tried to get sent off but failed! Ex-Rangers player Matt Dalgity got some strange looks when encouraging Edgecumbe by mistake. "Little Ben" got player of the day with a terrier like performance in midfield.
Rangers opponents next Saturday, Ngongy, had their first win away to Taupo. Check out the rest of the results.

5 May Another hard out training, lots of competition for spots, which is great. Check out our player portraits for some interesting info!! New updates: Christian, John, James, Jeff and Adam.

3 May May Day, Duck shooting.... Rangers battled to a good win 3 - 1 at home to Taupo. Jimmy Krause gave three assists, with Ben the Machine and Cam the recipients. John's point blank save in the first 30 seconds kept us in it too. The changing room discussion? How many kilos of feed per hectare the farmers have and the value of colostrum... Not many of NZ's football teams could boast those discussions! The Beacon are writing their own match report this week, so watch out for it. Here's Bazza's version
Let the hype for next Saturday's game with Whakatane begin!! Who is JP?? Whakatane v Te Puke in the Fed One league is also on, but it looks like our game will be on at same time.

29 April Two of the country's elite secondary schools have drawn BOP opposition in the Chatham Cup. Te Puke travel to play Auckland Grammar and Tauranga City Utd are at home to Kevin Fallon's Mt Albert Grammar on May 15th.

28 April An impresive turn out at training tonight. Good to see Richie Nillesen back running around. Jezza gets a start on Saturday.
Muggsy turned on the style at training, managing to nutmeg two opponents, but he balanced that up with an own goal. Muggs also had to limit our two keepers Chris and John from trying to out score each other!

24 April The suspension of captain Christian Wetting meant Rangers were up against it in their game at Katikati. The home team won 3 - 1, with Rangers not firing very well. Jaiden Ibbetson was player of the day, with honourable mentions to Jeff Krause, Paul Inglis and Chris Johnston. Here's the match report.
Sad to see Kawerau got another hiding in the Federation League, 8 - 1 today. Also Te Puke won their Chatham Cup game, and Whakatane's opponents have forfeited the game, so Whakatane go though as well.

21 April A hard out training tonight getting the boys psyched up for Katikati on Saturday. Remember the game is at Katikati College, on Beach Road. Turn right from the main street, just after the Tui pub.
The Chatham Cup draw is out with a number of BOP teams competing. Whakatane are at home to Te Atatu on Sunday, 2 pm, might be worth a look. Check the rest of the games on our BOP results/Fixtures page.

19 April A number of ex-players, including Jordan O'Gilvy have written in our guest book recently. Feel free to add yours or just have a read. There are also lots of votes coming in on our latest fun poll. You won't believe how some of the results are going!! Follow the links bar on the left to the Poll or the Guestbook.

17 April A hotly contested red card decision made a huge impact as Rangers went from a 1 - 0 lead at half time to lose to Otumoetai 3 - 2. Captain Christian Wetting received his marching order early in the second half for dangerous play, when an unseen defender came through to head the ball and receive a kick in the face. Here are some good photos (courtesy of Jacqui Johnston and Frank Wetting), and here's the match report.

11 April A good start to Rangers 2010 campaign with a 4 - 1 win away at old Blues. Here's the match report, but, in a nutshell, Old Blues pressed early, forced a lot of corners, we broke away and scored, a great finish from Cameron. Then a Captain Wett pile driver and a Ben McPherson one-on-one had us 3 - 1 up at half time. Late on Ben added a second with a good shot on the turn. Muggsy named Bazza player of the day, with Cam highly commended.
Rangers opponents next week, Otumoetai, had a huge 8 - 0 win over Taupo, so both teams will be full of confidence. Opotiki also had a good win in div two, while Kawerau got thumped in Fed wo. Check out our BOP results.

9 April The serious stuff begins tomorrow, Rangers meeting in Rugby Club car park 12 noon, to travel to Waipuna Park, Kaitemako Road, Welcome Bay, Tauranga to play Old Blues at 2.30pm.
A bad start for Ngongotaha Raukura, having to default to Tauranga City Utd in their first round Bay One game.

2 April Have you had your say on our just-for-fun survey yet?? We now have the whole Bay Two draw on here.

1 April Wayne Rooney fakes injury to sign for Plains Rangers. Ricki Herbert decides to check out the Rangers line up for possible Phoenix signings for next season. Yellow Fever set up a temporary grandstand at the Awakeri Sportsfield. Muggsy turns down the possibility of Carlos Tevez playing for Rangers, saying, "Wayne hasn't forgiven Carlos yet for leaving Old Trafford, so I'm not taking any chances. However I'm not ruling out David (Beckham) coming over after his time in Italy." Oh hang on, it's after mid day!

31 March The Bay One and Two draws have changed, with the div two Old Blues team withdrawing. Now we won't have a curtain raiser for our 10th April game at Old Blues! Several of Plains Rangers' fixtures have changed. Opotiki have a huge travel ask, away to Turangi now!!

28 March Check out these great photos from yesterday's game. Well done photographer Nicki Ibbetson.

27 March Trainings from here on are at the Edgecumbe Rugby Club on Wednesdays at 6 pm.
A good final pre-season game against Opotiki, ending in a comprehensive win for Rangers. Very warm conditions at Awakeri made for a fast energy-sapping game, that was well refereed by Michel Nillesen and his two assistants and played in a good spirit. Highlights included some well worked team goals, e.g. good combination between Ben McPherson, Cameron Wills leading to James Krause's first goal. James scored a great solo second and got his hat-trick late in the game. Jaiden Ibbetson also notched up a hat-trick, while Cameron and Jeff Krause scored two each. Opotiki fought hard to the end and kept the Rangers defence working.

25 March Our fun survey has been updated for the new season. Click here to have your say!!!

24 March A good hard out training last night, lots of numbers. Looking forward to our final preseason game this Saturday, at home to Opotiki.
Check out these action packed photos of our games with Rotorua Utd White last season!! Ouch Ouch!! Many thanks to Teresa of Rotorua who took the pics.
Also, check out these pics from Saturday's game at Te Puke. Thanks to Paul Ibbetson.

20 March Rangers put in a good performance in the preseason game at Te Puke today. A good diagonal cross from youngster Jaiden Ibbetson set up Cameron Wills for an excellent finish to open the scoring. Cameron's good work down the right wing opened the game for Ben McPherson to lash the ball home. Te Puke's goallie made several outstanding saves to keep his team within touching distance. In the final seconds, James Krause went through to put the ball under the keeper and seal a 3 - 0 win. Others to shine were the midfield pairing of Christian Wetting and Ben Fretwell.
The draw for the Bay One season has just come out... Rangers are away to Old Blues in the first game on 10th April. Click here for some of the draw.
Sydney FC beat Melbourne Victory in a penalty shoot out to win the A League grand final after a 1 - 1 draw.

14 March Wellington Phoenix were destroyed by a moment of cheating in the A League preliminary final at Sydney FC last night. Chris Payne scored with his arm to put the home team 2 - 1 up. The Nix were then chasing the game and were undone by the fast breaking Sydney forwards, losing 4 - 2 in the end. A sad end to an excellent season. Check out our Phoenix pages here.

13 March Rangers first preseason game had its pluses and minuses today. Rangers managed to find eleven available players, all but two aged under 20, debuts for four youngsters who all acquited themselves well against a Matamata team who play in Fed 2, a league above Rangers. A serious injury to centre defender Chris Johnston after 25 min saw him boarding an ambulance for hospital and Rangers playing over an hour with ten men. Matamata led 1 - 0 at half time but pulled away with their advantage to win 6 - 1. Ben McPherson converted from the penalty spot for Rangers and had another couple of good shots saved.
Te Puke did well hosting the day. Their Fed One team lost 3 - 0 to Matamata, while the two clubs' women's teams and 3rd teams also played preseason games.
Rangers' Trainings continue at Awakeri 6pm Tues and Thurs.
Phoenix huge game tonight 10pm away to Sydney in preliminary final.

7 March Another brilliant day for NZ football, Wellington Phoenix beating Newcastle Jets 3 - 1 after extra time in front of 33000 fans to get to preliminary final next weekend. They'll travel to Sydney, after Melbourne beat Sydney tonight. Winner plays Melbourne in final.

4 March BOP clubs meeting Wed 10th at 7.30pm Welcome Bay. Phoenix v Jets Sunday 4pm.
Rangers preseason games: 13 March v Matamata Res at Te Puke 1pm
20 March v Te Puke Res at Te Puke High Sch 2 pm
27 March v Opotiki at Awakeri.

28 February Club meeting at Margaret's on Tuesday 2nd March, 6.30pm. Trainings start in earnest from Thursday 4th, Tuesdays and Thursdays 6 pm at Awakeri. All welcome. We need a bit more experience in a couple of positions.

21 February Not a bad turn out at first training run, not as many as the 24000 that watched the Phoenix win a heart stopping penalty shoot out against Perth Glory! Rangers did their bit, cheering from the Events Centre and advising the refs!

17 February Great news!! Phoenix semi final will be on the TV in the Awakeri Events Centres at 5pm Sunday, straight after Rangers first run which starts at 4 pm. Be there, or... miss out!!
Another preseason game confirmed, against Opotiki, March 27th.

12 February Despite Radio 1XX getting it wrong on Bulletin Board, the Rangers first run is on Sunday 21st, not this Sunday!! 4pm at Awakeri.
Tonight the Wellington Phoenix booked a home semi final, also on Sunday 21st, hopefully the two times don't clash!! Paul Ifill ran amok, scoring twice and tormenting the Mariners as the Nix won 3 - 0. Check out our Phoenix pages.

9 February Not long to go till Rangers first run of the season! Also booked in is a preseason game with Te Puke on March 20th, 2 pm at Te Puke.
Meanwhile, Wellington Phoenix are into the play offs, and if they win their final game of the league this Friday at home to Central Coast Mariners, they will have a home semi final the following weekend. Great times to be a football fan!

30 January A record 19200 fans turned up to watch the Phoenix play a home game in Christchurch, beating Adelaide 1 - 0. Well done Christchurch!!

25 January We're back on line.... a change of date for the first Rangers run: it's now Sunday 21st Feb, 4pm at Awakeri. Too many Rangers players had romantic commitments for the scheduled Valentines Day gathering, apparently!
Watch for the Phoenix away game to Melbourne tomorrow night, 8 pm Sky Sports 1.

10 January Two goals, including a brilliant overhead kick by new signing Eugene Dadi gave the Wellington Phoenix another good win, against Brisbane. This Friday night is another home game. If you're anywhere near Wellington, go see it!! Robbie Fowler, ex-Liverpool star leads the line for the visitors.

1 January 2010 Happy New Year to all Rangers players, associates and supporters! The Phoenix gave their fans a good start to celebrations with a 2 - 0 away win last night, meaning a good outlook for the next game, in Wellington Sat 9th January. Should be a great atmosphere!

21 December First Rangers training for the new year is Sunday 14 February at the Awakeri Events Centre, starting 4 pm.
Our guest book is now running again. Sorry, all those old gold entries have vanished. Post a new message for us!!
Merry Christmas all Plains Rangers players and supporters!!

14 December While Auckland City kept NZ's good run in football going, winning a game at the World Club champs, the Phoenix have run into suspension and injury trouble. Muscat and Sigmund suspended for violent conduct, Paston out for rest of season with broken leg, Greenacre missing as well.

5 December NZ All Whites in Group F of World Cup finals, along with current World champs Italy, plus Slovakia and Paraguay. First game against Slovakia (pop 5.3 million) on 16 June 2010.

4 December Ouch! Phoenix had victory snatched away in last five min as league leaders Melbourne grabbed a late 1 - 1 draw. Tim Brown nice header, Mick Ward red card. Will Siggy get suspended for punching his opponent? Joining Manny Muscat on the sideline after his elbow last week? Wait for the next gripping instalment!

26 November Rangers AGM saw the present officers retained, Aaron Muggeridge reappointed coach. Click here to read the president's report. Preseason training will be notified late January. Two preseason games already organised. Several new players rumoured to be coming to Rangers, all good!

22 November A few photos from the All Whites day of glory, plus the pre-game photo from the Sponsors' Challenge.
The Wellington Phoenix continue a good week for football with a 1 - 0- away win over Newcastle Jets.

16 Nov We're going to the World Cup!!! Quite a few EBOP people down in Wellington at the weekend to be part of NZ football history. The 35000 white out crowd was amazing to be in. Legends were born... Rory Fallon, Mark Paston. Ryan Nelsen led by example. EBOP people spotted: Aaron Wood, Christian Wetting, Tony Mitchell, Keith Fraser, Ronald Overdevest, Jeremy and David Gray, Nick Twaddle, Ash, Jeremy and Barrie Hawkes. Probably several others too.
Plains Rangers AGM coming soon.

4 Nov The Phoenix whipped Newcastle Jets 3 - 0 tonight in a catch up game. Another home game Sunday, against Perth Glory.

1 Nov A good prize giving and break up last night. Many thanks to Gary Fowell for the bar tab, Chris and Karen Stanton for the bar work, Mill River catering for the excellent food. And the winners were:...
Endeavour: Vince Russ
Personality: Brendon Oats
Most Promising: Chris Johnston
Sportsman of the Year: Jordan Ogilvy
Golden Boot: James Krause
Young Player of the Year: Chris Johnston
Players' Player of the Year: Jason Pullar
Player of the Year: James Krause
Check out the past winners on our Honours Board, and watch out for our AGM coming soon.
This site is now www.plainsrangers.com
Make sure you update us on your favourites / bookmarks

26 Oct What a brilliant performance from the Phoenix, smacking over league leaders Gold Coast 6 - 0. Bazza was lucky enough to be in the crowd. Highlights... the Yellow Fever chanting " Smeltzy Smeltzy, what's the score?" to Shane Smeltz, who left the Nix for Gold Coast's better money, after each goal! Paul Ifill setting up three goals then scoring. A golden patch of 11 minutes and four goals after half time. Centre back Durante beating six players on a run up the middle. Lochhead heading the ball while lying on the ground. The Yellow Fever going absolutely mental with their shirts off. The singing in the Back Bencher pub afterwards....

18 Oct A very entertaining sponsors' challenge at Whakatane yesterday. The home team eventually won 3 - 0, but it was a good contest. Good to see the legendary Wett play a full 90 minutes, and Bas had a half as well. A shame to see Jono Whitaker stretchered off after 15 min with a badly sprained ankle, he'd been making an impact down the left as well. Here's a brief report.
All Whites game is now sold out.
Plains Rangers prize giving Sat 31st Oct, at the Awakeri Events Centre, from 5.30 pm. $10 a head, families welcome. And despite Kirk telling Gary Fowell it is Halloween fancy dress party, no actually it isn't. Gary was worried there for a bit!

14 Oct Venue for sponsors challenge confirmed as Rex Morpeth Park Whakatane, start time 12.30 pm on Saturday. Players bring $5 each towards food.
Check out the new Plains Rangers sign at the Awakeri Events Centre. You can't miss it!! Many thanks to Gary Fowell.

12 Oct Great result for All Whites, now its all on in Wellington Nov 14th!! 20,000 tickets sold, be in quick if you want to go!
BOP meeting tonight confirmed promotion/relegation of one team between Bay One and Two. Various arguments on use of play offs to determine promotion/relegation and the regulations governing them, prompting one delegate to walk out.
Be at training this Thurs, game probable start 12.30pm on Saturday!

7 Oct Sponsors' Cup game is back on!! Saturday 17th October is the date, kick off time to be confirmed, venue Whakatane. Training Thursday 6.30pm.

4 Oct Prize Giving is Saturday October 31st at the Awakeri Events Centre. $10 a head.
Watch out for the NZ All Whites crucial World Cup qualifier against Bahrain next Sunday (11th) morning, 4.30 am. Yes, I know some of you boys will just be coming home about that time.... and then the huge home game on Nov 14th in Wellington.

26 Sept Congrats to Te Puke who won their promotion play off against Hamilton Wanderers and will be in Fed div one next season. Visique Whakatane lost their catch up game to Ngongotaha today and will remain below Rangers on the points table.

22 Sept Sponsors Challenge for this weekend has been called off, Whakatane cannot field a team. Very disappointing!
If you haven't done so, text Muggsy with your nomination for Players' Player of the Year. Prize Giving is Saturday October 31st at the Awakeri Events Centre. $10 a head.

20 Sept Matamata clinched the Fed div one title, Te Puke beat Hamilton Wanderers away in a div one/div two play off (first leg). Katikati won the CNS Cup.
The Phoenix managed to surrender a lead in the 94th minute to draw at home to NQ Fury 1 - 1. Quite a few Eastern Bay players going down for next Sunday's game against Central Coast, so hopefully the Nix will do well.

16 Sept Nice photos in the Beacon the last two days Kirk and Jords!
CNS Clinic Cup and Bowl Finals this weekend at Mt Maunganui. Ngongy v Katakati in Cup (2.45 start), Te Puke v Te Puke Young 'Uns at 2 pm.

13 Sept Excellent game from Phoenix dominating at Melbourne, a 1 - 1 draw.
Here are some photos from Rangers v Whakatane game, thanks very much to Jacqui Johnston and also Rhona Whitaker for them. Here's the match report.

12 Sept Last league game... No goals but plenty of bruising action, a red card too. Typical local derby. Whakatane Town 0 Plains Rangers 0.
Congratulations to Rotorua Utd White 1st in div one, Katikati 2nd.

8 Sept A hard to take 5 - 4 loss to Taupo. Although Rangers were always playing catch up, it was good to see the goals flying in, but not at both ends! Here's the report.
One more game to go, at Whakatane this coming Sat, then sponsors cup game likely to be Sat 26th, also at Whakatane, against their 1st team.
Club meeting after training on Thursday.

29 August With Rangers having to cool their heels for the second week in a row, quite a few of the players headed to Whakatane to watch their Fed One team struggle to beat Ngaruawahia 2 - 1. Ex-Rangers player Ben McPherson scored both goals for Whakatane. Matatmata knocked over Taupo to take the lead in that league.
Meanwhile another ex-Rangers player Ian Finch is dancing tonight in the Dancing With Stars fundraiser. Finchy and partner Becks Rouse will entertain the 800 strong crowd with their theatrical samba.

23 August A day off from football! Well for Rangers at least. In Fed Two the league leaders both got beaten - T B Coll and Fury.
The Phoenix got an good away draw at Brisbane, Greenacre scoring with a good header. Robbie Kruse put himself on the Yellow Fever black list with a shocking tackle on Nix hero Leo Bertos. Wait till you play in Wellington Robbie they'll be saying!

17 August Nice photo of Jason and Carwyn in today's Beacon.

16 August An entertaining 2 - 2 draw with Whakatane Visique in front of a good crowd despite the rain. Jono's own goal was the best strike of the day. JP player of the day, with Robbie Sonntag for Whakatane. Ref Ian Boult did a fine job, allowing for the conditions and being decisive where necessary. Here's the report.
No training this Thursday, since there is no game for two weeks, and to allow injuries to heal.
Watch out for the Phoenix at 5 pm v Perth Glory, first home game.
Looks like Tauranga Boys have wrapped up Fed Two, Old Blues Bay Two and Rotorua White are close to wrapping the Bay One title.

9 August Jono smacking a ball into Kyle as he tried to eat his pre-match pie hinted that luck wasn't going to go our way. True. Rotorua White played well and we struggled at times. A few crunching tackles, and couple of head clashes.... Here's the report.Click here to read Rotorua United's version.
In Fed Two, Tauranga Boys lost their first game this season, 2 - 1 to Fury.
The Phoenix's defence looked similar at times, as they went down to Newcastle. Oh well, we're both at home next week!

7 August Wellington Phoenix start their new A League season on Sunday, away against Newcastle Jets. It's on Sky TV, at 5pm. Check out our Phoenix pages, and the ones going back into the Phoenix, Knights and even Kingz history.
League champs Melbourne started with a loss to Central Coast.

2 August Losing Jimmy, Josh and Muggsy to injury and a 3rd minute red card penalty..... hmmm not a good day for Rangers. Rotorua beat nine man Rangers 6 - 0. Here's the match report.
The first double figure score was recored this season in BOP div one with Katikati showing no mercy to Te Puke. 14 - 0.

26 July A good win at home to Te Puke. The return of Joel Ogilvy and the debut of John Noblett made a difference, and a determined effort from all round the line-up made for a 5 - 2 win. Jimmy Krause nailed a hat-trick, Rangers' first since 2007 when Skinsy and Richie both scored hat tricks. Here's the match report. Check out the match photos, thanks Jacqui!

22 July The Phoenix new season kicks off on August 9th. Follow it at our Phoenix pages.

19 July Lots of surface water at Awakeri, today's game postponed until July 25th. Now you can do Jeremy's trick and go skim boarding on the puddles, or hit the waves, surf's up!
Not many games played in the Federation this weekend. Check out Tauranga Boys College's blitz on the Federation division two!!

14 July Club meeting after training on Thursday. This Saturday will be the first home game where Rangers fully are the hosts at the Awakeri Events Centre. Players make sure you pitch in and help.
The Rangers squads page is updated. A little bit of fresh history.

11 July Well 9 - 0 is quite a close game in rugby, but unfortunately Rangers were playing football yesterday. Katikati was too strong for Rangers' bare eleven. Rangers did their best not to turn up at all, having got waylaid by a large motor accident at Te Puna and then going to the wrong ground at Katikati (well it was the ground that was on the referee appointments and no-one had told us other wise). Memories? One striker getting a decent penalty shout turned down for the second week in a row, JP getting tackled by his own team mates twice. Here's the brief report.

5 July Rangers exited the Bowl in frustrating, unlucky style. Having gone behind, Rangers led 3 - 2 in the second half but were unable to close the game out. Here's the report.

28 June From all accounts a good game, gutsy effort, great header from Jords, well refereed by Paul Higgins. Read the match report.
Te Puke knocked over Fury in Fed Two, and Rotorua White beat Katikati 4 -0 in Bay One.

21 June An incident packed game yesterday: field damaged by some bastard in a vehicle over night, two red cards, several crazy goals, a penalty save, extra time... Rangers bowed out in the end 2 - 4. Here's the match report. Here are a few match photos, courtesy of Jezza. The draw is now out for the CNS Bowl on July 4. Rangers are away to the other 1st div team, Te Puke.

13 June Part of the Awakeri pitch was under water this morning, good decision to postpone the game. The game v Old Blues will now be played this coming Saturday (20th), with the league fixture postponed. Reset your calendars!!
Monday morning NZ v Spain, 6 am. Can we repeat the performance against Italy?

9 June This Thursday, NZ v World champions Italy, live Sky Sport 2 starts 6.45 am. Woohoo!

7 June Unlucky, but didn't play as well as last week, is the short summary of Rangers 1 - 0 loss to Tauranga City yesterday. Here's the match report, and here are the photos.
Rangers have a drawn a home game against Old Blues in the first round of the CNS Clinic Cup this coming Saturday. Kick off 2 pm. Old Blues are the run away leaders of div two, so it will be a tough game.

3 June Club meeting after training tomorrow. 8.15pm in the Club rooms. Bring any unpaid subs.
A new sponsor and name for the Knock out competitiion for BOP clubs. It's now called the CNS Clinic Cup (a WBOP Chiropractic company). The rules include that the top four Bay One teams get a bye in the first round (June 13), all 20 teams in divs 1 & 2 are in, losers in first round play in a bowl comp. The draw will have to be done after this Sat's games to see who the 4th team to get the bye is.
Sounds like the Tasman Cup is no more.... rather sad if that is so.

31 May A closely fought home game with Whakatane Town, 1 - 1 a fair result. James Krause again the scorer, Kirk player of the day. Jimmy Mitchell did a good job in centre midfield with JP. Amongst the spectators we had most of last year's team... Wett, Bas, Caleb, Josh, Jeremy, Dan... Not a bad line-up! Here are the action photos, and here's the match report.
Woh, check out the high scores in Federation Div 2 !!

25 May An unusual way to move up the table!! Rangers lost 3 - 1 at freezing Taupo, but moved up a place due to goal difference. Jimmy Krause scored a beauty, Brandon came close with two lobs, Vince cleared the ball repeatedly at 70 metres a kick, but it wasn't enough. Read the match report.
In Fed Two, Tauranga Boys beat Fury 4 - 3. Must've been a good game.
p.s.if a cop car is racing up behind the Rangers convoy traveling to Taupo through the back roads with lights flashing, which of these drivers will he be after....Bazza.... Chris.... Jono....or.... convoy leader J.P.??!!
Answer - none of the above, he roared past us all, much to everyone's relief!

21 May Our fun quiz has been updated. Click here to have a go!
Check out the player profiles (it says portraits on the link). Who is the most good looking?

17 May A win! A gutsy performance saw Rangers grab a 3 - 2 win at Whakatane. Player of the day Chris Johnston saved a penalty and had another top game. Here are the action photos and the match report.
Leaders Katikati got beaten by Tauranga City. Te Puke was the only BOP team to win their Chatham Cup game today. Check out all the results by following the link to BOP results.

10 May A scrappy game with Rotorua Utd White. Rangers fought hard, losing 1 - 0. Mark Jeynes deservedly player of the day with a strong performance at centre back. Here's the match report.

3 May Unlucky!!! Rangers deserved more than the 2 - 1 loss they got at Te Puke. The Te Puke keeper was player of the day and made two excellent saves to deny Jimmy Mitchell and Jason Pullar, while poor Luke Overworth had the indignity of scoring a late own goal. Mitchell also smashed a rocket off the post. Here's the match report.
Radio Station IXX managed to win the laugh award of the day. When they were texted the result, "Te Puke 2 Plains Rangers 1"
"Chers 4 tht. Was tht th rugby?" was the reply!
This managed to edge out Jimmy turning up with his own boots for the first time this season. " Where did you find them?"
"In my soccer bag where I left them!"
Meanwhile, Rangers' next opponents Rotorua Utd White gave Whakatane Visique a hiding, 7 - 1.
In Federation Div One news, the BOP teams by far outshone their Waikato opponents. Check out the results on our BOP results link.

30 April Some new and updated player profiles are on the portraits page: Check out the young fullas!

26 April Rangers produced a gutsy performance and made league leaders Katikati work for their 5 - 1 win. Jordan scored his third goal in a row. JP did everything but score. Paul played keeper with his head. Brendon and Vince got a run. Jono was player of the day, while Brandon produced his best game yet. Here's the match report. Here are some photos of the game too.

20 April The Hot Springs 'training' proved an inspiration tonight, lots of ideas talked about, and a strategy to encourage Brandon to score goals was formulated. Dan gave Bhima a geography lesson and promised more. Mark didn't make any promises, he knows what trouble that usually gets him into...
Did you know - there were 27 goals scored in five games in BOP div two on Saturday, that's an average of....well, you divide 27 by 5 and thats what it is. Check out all the results on our BOP results link.

19 April Unavailability of a number of players didn't help, but Rangers got a pasting at Ngongotaha, where the home team played some nice football to win 8 - 1. Here is a minimilistic match report! Training this Monday is at the Awakeri Hot Springs. Maybe we can practice diving!

14 April An improved performance from Rangers, but a 2 - 1 loss to Rotorua United. Jordan Ogilvy scored, pouncing on a rebound from Jason Pullar's header. Here's the match report. And here are some action photos, courtesy of club treasurer Stewart Sutton. Thanks Stewart!

8 April This Saturday's game is confirmed to be played at Awakeri School, kick-off 2.30 pm. Trainings from now on start at 6.30 pm.
This item is borrowed from Stuff:...
"An English football player has been handed a yellow card for breaking wind while an opposition player was attempting a penalty. The referee ruled the act as "unsporting" and called for the penalty shot to be retaken. The player, from Sunday league football side Chorlton Villa, caused further trouble as, after the second attempt was converted, two of his teammates were sent off for questioning the call."
Don't get any ideas J P!

5 April Rangers made a bright start against Tauranga City, going close twice, before having a Jordan Ogilvy goal disallowed. The home team then scored twice in two minutes just before half time and took the game 2 - 0. Rangers best efforts came from player of the day Dylan 'Skins' Arthur, Kyle Knight, Chris Johnston and Josh Hyndman. Read the match report. Everyone except Kirk is leading the Golden Boot. He's on minus one! When asked after the game how he was, Skins replied "sweet... and sore"! A rather Chinese sounding answer, but he did make one very courageous interception!
The Federation website is very up to date with results. Good one!

2 April Coach Aaron Muggeridge has named his likely starting line-up for Saturday, with a very new look Rangers team about to take the field at Tauranga City. The likely starting eleven: Chris Johnston; Paul Inglis or Mark Jeynes, Dan Baxter, Dylan Arthur, Kirk Bain, Kyle Knight; Brandon Collier, Jason Pullar (capt), Josh Hyndman (vice capt), Jordan Ogilvy; Luke Overworth. The team was also issued with dress shirts and are to meet at Edgecumbe at 12.20 pm Saturday.

1 April Not an early kick-off. The game starts at 2.30 pm at Links Avenue #2, Mt Maunganui this Saturday. A Federation league game starts at 2.45 on the #1 pitch.

30 March Great to see a full-on intense training tonight, no doubt people were stung into action by Saturday's game.

28 March Kawerau beat Rangers in a pre-season hit out today, but some good points emerged, the efforts of debutants Chris Johnston in goal, and Brandon on the right wing and Josh Hyndman playing 90 minutes, his first game back from injury early last season.

21 March Rangers players should look smart this season, with training jackets and embroidered shirts to wear. Josh Hyndman is even training with boots now, with his long awaited pair doing the business at training, a couple of scorching finishes left goalkeeper Chris Johnston and the rest of the squad watching in wonder.

18 March Club meeting after training on Thursday (19th) at 8.15 pm at Margaret's. Trainings start at 6 pm. Be there or be....... fined!
Here is the confirmed BOP div one draw for the season, plus the beginnings of others The Fed div 2 and BOP div 2 draws are also confirmed and available on the Federation website.

9 March A very good turn out at training tonight.
Here are the Rangers fixtures for the season (so far decided). Check it out here.

7 March The numbers turning up to pre-season training are reasonable, giving coach Aaron Muggeridge some idea of how his team might line up.

1 March Melbourne Victory took out the A League grand final last night with a tough feisty 1 - 0 win over ten man Adelaide. Victory ended with a red card themselves, but hung on for the win.

25 February A reasonable turn out at the BOP clubs meeting in Tauranga tonight, but some clubs were noticably missing. Of most interest was the discussion on the make-up of the leagues. It looks like there will be a 12 team Federation division 2, with eight of those teams from the BOP: the top five from BOP div one last season, plus Ngongotaha (relegated from Fed One) and Greerton and Otumoetai Two who both applied to join, despite being in BOP div two last season. Rumour has it that Greerton have players returning from Matamata. Therefore, there will be between 18 and 22 clubs playing in BOP leagues. Discussion on whether BOP div one will be the top ten remaining teams from BOP divs 1 & 2, or whether teams just apply and Federation makes the decision.
Paul Higgins is the new refs appointment officer. Good luck Paul! The season kicks off on April 4th.

22 February Trainings at Edgecumbe Domain Mondays and Thursdays, 6.30 pm start.

12 February News from the meeting tonight... Funding from the Southern Trust gratefully received. As is confirmation of sponsors Gary Fowell Builders and Little Orchard Pre-School. Looks like Fed div two will definitely happen. BOP senior clubs meeting Wed 25th Feb, 7.30 - 8.30pm at Waipuna Park. Next Plains Rangers meeting 12 March
Next preseason run at Edgecumbe Domain this Sunday at 5 pm. New Players welcome.

5 February Rangers first run for the pre-season this Sunday!! Be at Awakeri ready for 4.30 pm. New players welcome! ph 3222076 for more info.
The A League finals series starts tomorrow night. Shane Smeltz was named Johnny Warren medal winner, golden boot and scorer of goal of the season at the A League Awards after a top year with the Phoenix. A shame he is moving on next season.

25 January The Phoenix couldn't quite pull off a win at Melbourne, but were unlucky to concede a penalty, have several shots blocked, three by their own players, and finished the season in 6th place.

20 January Plains Rangers first run for the pre-season is Sunday 8th Feb, 4.30 pm at Awakeri. A friendly kick around!
Wellington Phoenix are still alive, but have to beat Melbourne over there 10 pm Friday night and hope Adelaide beat Central Coast. It'll be a huge mission.

13 January Two lots of good news for Plains Rangers: Little Orchard Pre-School have continued their generous sponsorship for the coming season, co-owner Brian Skilling a long time Rangers supporter; and Jason Pullar is returning to Rangers from Whakatane. His transfer was approved by the Federation.
Meanwhile this Sunday, the Phoenix have their last home game of the season. It'll be a great atmos. See you there, if you're in Wellington.

4 January Phoenix had a flattering but extremely exciting win against Newcastle to stay in contention for finals. Happy New Year everyone!

21 December Rangers' new coach Aaron Muggeridge is recruiting for the new season. If you're interested, contact him or email the club president.
Another win to the Phoenix, putting them right up there, but the league is now very tight. Perth Glory wasted Sydney 4 - 1 tonight. There are two more Phoenix home games. On 4th and 18th January. If you're near Wellington over the holidays, go to a game. They're great fun!
Merry Christmas to all Rangers players, supporters, opponents, referees, and to football fans in general!

28 November Great win by the Phoenix over league leaders Melbourne 2 - 1. Check out our Phoenix pages. Phoenix now up to 4th on table.

23 November A Phoenix win against 9 man Newcastle; NZ Under 20 Women beat Chile in their World Cup; NZ to play Spain, South Africa and Iraq in Confederations Cup in June.

15 Nov At the AGM, Aaron Muggeridge was elected coach for the 2009 season. Other positions remained the same. Issues discussed included the home ground for 2009, and a women's team in 2009.
Meanwhile, Rangers keeper Christian Wetting was selected to be part of the Whakatane Top Town team, who are travelling to Christchurch for the TV series to be filmed in the near future. Wett's fellow footballers in the 12 person team include Rebecca Rouse (Whakatane), Reece Edmonds (Tauranga City) and Lucy Potter (Whakatane High School).
Ask Muggsy for a peek at his tattoo!

7 Nov Great win for Phoenix away at Sydney, 2 - 1.
Plains Rangers AGM this Wednesday 12th, 7.30pm at Margaret's. All members welcome.

19 Oct Wellington Phoenix continue a good run of form, beating Central Coast Mariners, away in 30 degrees heat, 1 - 0. Home game next Sunday (of Labour weekend) should be a goodie against Queensland Roar.

11 Oct A very successful prize giving last night. The hangi was beautifully cooked, hosts Christian and Katie did a great job.
Tributes were paid to sponsors Gary and Marina Fowell, Brian Skilling and Lyn Rutland; secretary Margaret Elliot, treasurer Stewart Sutton, CBR Chris Whitaker, ref minder Peter Fitzgerald, coach Christian Wetting and committee man Bas Overdevest.
The prizes were awarded: Golden Boot - Caleb Hyndman; Young Player of the Year - Jono Whitaker; Most Promising - Scott Geddes; Sportsmanship - Bas Overdevest; Endeavour - Barrie Hawkes; Personality of the Year - Jeremy Hawkes; Players' Player of the Year - Kirk Bain; Player of the Year - Simon Gowing. Click here to see all the past winners.
Click here if you want to take the quiz to see how well you know Rangers 2008. No prizes!

7 Oct Remember... Break-up / Prize Giving this Friday at Christian's place, bring $10 per player for the hangi etc, BYO, from 5 pm onwards.
From the Federation meeting of BOP clubs last night: looks like Federation League 2nd division will go ahead next year. Several clubs have opted straight in to it. Talk about the effects of alcohol on the sidelines, sounds like the behaviour of a number of people at the Tasman Cup final was appaling.

29 Sept A good game, vocal crowd, Caleb got a . . . . . yellow. Sponsors Cup stays at Whakatane. Read the report. Check out the photos, including what happened to Kirk, thanks to Stewart Sutton.
Phoenix had a great win, 2 - 1 v Sydney.
Congratulations to Te Puke and TBC who won the Tasman Cup and Bowl too.

24 Sept Kick-off time for the Sponsors' Challenge is 2.30 pm at Rex Morpeth Park. Everyone needs to contribute $5 towards food. Be there 1 pm.
Club break-up Friday 10 October from 5 pm at Christian's place, a hangi, costs $10 per player.

21 Sept Fury beat Te Puke 3 - 0 yesterday, to take the BOP div one championship. Sounds like a convincing win, Te Puke coach Macca says it was their worst performance of the season. Fury coach DC says they could have scored more and that the ref had a good game.
Phoenix dropped to bottom of the table, losing to Perth Glory 1 - 0. Doh!
A massive score in local women's football, Whakatane beating Ngongy 28 - 0. Hmmm.

18 Sept Break-up and end of year prize giving looking likely to be Saturday 11th October at Christian's place.

14 Sept A good win in the end at Opotiki, highlights Wett scoring, Simon saving a penalty (yes you might wonder what the hell he was doing in goal!), Richie and Muggsy getting two each, the assistant ref mowing the lines! Read the report.
Whakatane lost to Te Puke, Rangers leapfrog back to 6th. Te Puke v Fury showdown next Saturday to decide league.

10 Sept Club meeting after training on Thursday, 7.30pm.at Margaret's place. Bring any outstanding fees or fines.
Have a look at some cool photos from Saturday. Lara is a gun photographer!

6 Sept Three penalties, 2 - 1 down at half time, dominated second half, couldn't beat their keeper. Lost 2 -1. Read the report. In a major shock, Tauranga City held Te Puke to a draw 1 - 1.

30 August Against all the odds, Rangers posted a very good win, 2 - 1 at Tauranga City United. Bas was sick, Kirk and Muggsy couldn't make it, Skins had his birthday party Friday night, so he and several others were 'not at their best'. Skins proved it by throwing up after coming on as sub in the second half, and yet... goals to Richie and Jimi took a well deserved win. Read the report.

28 Aug Sponsors' Challenge will be on September 27th, at Whakatane, 2.30pm.

26 Aug Early kick-off at TCU this Sat, 12.30. If you want a reminder why we are having to replay this fixture, check out these photos of the last abandoned game!! Also if Richie's photo in today's Beacon whetted your appetite, check out these cool pics of our win on Saturday. Thanks Lara!

25 Aug Federation meeting on BOP senior football, a season wrap up Mon Oct 6th, 6 pm at Waipuna Park.

24 Aug A well deserved win at Whakatane yesterday. Jordan and Buzza scored, Muggsy hit the post. Wett only had to make one save. Read the report. Watch out for some cool photos in the next couple of days... thanks Lara!
Te Puke beat Fury 1 - 0 to make an interesting last few games in the league.

17 Aug Tasman Cup finalists sorted: Te Puke and Rotorua Utd 2nd div team (who knocked Rangers out).
The Phoenix had a shaky 1 - 1 draw to start their season.
Ryan Nelsen led Blackburn to a late win in their opening game, his header hitting the post in injury time before the rebound was bundled in at Everton.

11 Aug Old Blues played a good team game, and Rangers competed without causing them a lot of problems, going down 4 - 0. For the first time for weeks, Rangers had some subs to use. Unfortunately Richie went off early (ankle) and Dan managed half a game before the flu got the better of him. Six yellow cards were issued in a game that was played in good spirits, a costly afternoon. Jono had an own goal disallowed for off side!!!! Read the report.Amazingly, after six losses in a row, Rangers are still holding 7th place. See the table!

2 Aug Another scraped together line-up for Rangers, at least we managed to put eleven players on the field, even though Simon should have been in bed sick. TBC, despite having a player sent off, attacked with style and won 9 - 1. 'Nuff said.
The Phoenix had a 3- 2 win, coming from 0 - 2 down at half time, away at Sydney to get into the final of the Pre-Season Cup this Wednesday.

26 July It looked the worst possible day for Rangers, away at Tauranga City, with only nine players in appaling conditions. Richie, not meant to be playing, agreed to go in goal, making nine. Luck changed a little, when captain for the day James Mitchell won the toss and grabbed first use of the gale force wind and rain. He then drove an excellent free kick into the goal, and with Rangers leading 1 - 0, after 15 minutes, the ref rightly decided players' safety was at risk in the hypothermic conditions and he abandoned the game. Here's the report.
The match will be replayed on August 30th.
The other games at Mt Maunganui were also abandoned. Rangers headed home via the Papamoa Tavern, where they thawed out, and amused themselves with games of darts and pool and watching the horse races on the big screen. Strangely significant horses names were running: Keeper Coming, Danzahorse (not true Dan, we know!), Dan's Best... The Whakatane team turned up too, their game at Otumoetai cancelled.

21 July The Wellington Phoenix started their pre-season with a 1 - 0 win.

17 July No training tonight, as Bas said, OSH has a thing about slippery surfaces! Tauranga City game next weekend (26th) is an early kickoff. Their premier team is playing Central United (Auckland, current Chatham Cup holders) after us.

16 July A Federation League Div Two?? The Federation is asking clubs for feedback on this proposal, to start next season. Check it out with your club.
Tasman Cup and Bowl semi finals this Saturday.
The split Bay Two draw has just come out, but it can't be listed on the Fed website fixtures menu till the catch ups are played. Check it out here.

13 July A 5 - 1 loss at Tauranga Boys, but Rangers played better in patches than the score indicates. A few crucial errors and several missed chances gave the lopsided score. It was an entertaining game. Here's the report. Check out the photo of the week..........!

6 July What, there are photos???!!! Yes, click here!
Ooouuuccchhh! Rangers got off to a bad start when keeper Wett was delayed, Jono and Jordan weren't coming, conceding 5 goals in a poor first half. Things improved after the break but Fury won 7 - 1. The only good point was when Muggsy, who could only walk in the second half, beat the Fury centre back to the ball and scored.
Things had better get better next week, our opponents are Tauranga Boys Coll, who beat Te Puke 4 - 3!!! Here's the report. The performance was so riveting Jeremy had gone off to talk to a horse in the neighbouring paddock and missed Muggsy's goal!

28 June Freezing cold and rain and a bad start saw Rangers lose 1 - 0 at Rotorua United and get eliminated from the Tasman Cup. Jordan Ogilvy hit the post, very unlucky. Here's the report.
After the game, Rangers might not have stayed in the Tasman Cup, but those who stayed got up close to the World Cup (FIFA Under 17s Womens that is) which was on display in the clubrooms. Check out Photo of the Week for a pic!.

23 June

22 June Rangers, with ten men for the last 30min and Kirk, Mark and Caleb unavailable, had a battling 1 - 0 loss at Te Puke. Here's the report.

16 June Rangers scraped a 1 - 0 win at Otumoetai Two in the Tasman Cup. With several players unavailable, A Simon Gowing goal, a great save by keeper Jono Whitaker, and a Jordan Ogilvy shot cleared off the line were the highlights, though Mark's 'promise' earning a yellow card was pretty funny! Here's the report. The other Tasman Cup results are in, plus the draw for the next round. Rangers have the Div 2 leaders Rotorua Utd. It's meant to be at home but the Events Centre is not available.
Te Puke, this week's opponents, were duly dispatched from the Chatham Cup by current holders Central United 5 - 0.

8 June In the end, a good win against a much improved Rotorua Utd side. Second half goals to Jimmy (2) and Caleb earned a 3 - 1 win. Here's the report, and here are the photos.
Aftermatch - Wett organised a sweepstake for Euro 2008, kicking off tomorrow morning. After the initial hiccups like trying to remember the 16 teams (Mark suggested Argentina!!), the draw was made (Deano asked if there were any African teams in it!!!): Te Puke were 2 - 0 down with 20 min to play, but managed a 4 - 2 win against Opotiki today!

6 June Te Puke have drawn football giants Central United, the current holders, in the Chatham Cup. They'll be at Te Puke, on Sat 14 June. Coach Shaun Macca McIlwain is even interviewed on Soccer NZ's website. Read it here. Te Puke are the lowest ranked team still in the cup. Taupo is the other BOP team still in. The rest of the draw is here.

5 June The Tasman Cup draw is out. All BOP teams are in the Cup, with the first round losers playing for the Tasman Bowl. Rangers are drawn to play Otumoetai Two, away on June 14, 2pm kick off. Otumoetai Two are currently mid-table in BOP div two. Check out all the Tasman Cup draw here.

4 June Club meeting after training tomorrow night. Remember, subs are now overdue!

2 June A couple of great results in the Chatham Cup today. Fellow BOP div one side Te Puke knocked Fed team Rotorua Utd out 5 - 4 in an exciting finish to go thru to round 3. Fed team Taupo knocked Northern Lge premier team Tauranga City out too. Check out the results here.
Still a few of our old royal blue and gold Plains Rangers shirts for sale. Only $20. See Barrie.

1 June A solid win yesterday, 2 - 0 at half time then 6 - 1. Joel Ogilvy got a bit of game time and showed he can still play. Finchy was back, as referee this time. Here's the report and here are some action photos from the game..
Rangers are up to 7th on the table, with the third best defensive record in the league.
Good luck to Te Puke tomorrow as they take on Rotorua United Fed team in the Chatham Cup. Its at 2pm at Te Puke if you want to watch.

30 May The lure of the long weekend has meant there are gaps to be filled in the line-up for tomorrow. We could see the long awaited returns of Muggsy and Joel, plus Bas has got to the end of kiwifruit harvesting. It'll be just like the old days!!

25 May Check out some entertaining photos from Saturday's game, courtesy of our only spectator, injured player Jezza.

24 May A reasonable scrap with Katikati, but only moments of good football. Mark had an expensive day out with a $170 traffic fine, so did that yellow card collector Deano. Richie hit the crossbar, while both Kirk and Scott made timely challenges to thwart the hosts. Ex-Kawerau striker Aaron Searle played in goal for Katikati and was happy with the 0 - draw. Read the report.

22 May Here's Macca's version of Te Puke's excellent win and Taupo's lucky win in Chatham Cup (Hope you don't mind Macca!):
Lee scored a beaut after 2 mins and they could have went 2-1 up. A great save and 1 against the post then on 20 min Lee got 2nd and it was all one way. I should have scored 4 but only got 1. The boys were brill... cheers. stayed over and watched Taupo. They were so lucky. Inter were 2-0 up with 15 to play and should have been 4 up but missed 2 easy chances and payed for it. Taupo must have been on the turps with Te Puke Saturday night!

19 May Great to see so many of our players involved with junior football.
Hopefully no-one else had this start to their season.... A certain Rangers player, coaching a Kawerau 6th grade team, left to travel to the game in Ohope.... then turned back to get his son's boots.... got to Ohope and realised he didn't have his team's strip... borrow shirts from opposition....balls?....nope...oh well.... at least it was a sunny day!
Only one BOP Div one team left in the Chatham Cup now, well done to Te Puke who beat Navy 5 - 0. Fury and TBC both got hidings from illustrious opponents. Our victors Internationale only got beat by Federation League champs Taupo 3 - 2. Check out all the Chatham Cup results and the draw for the next round.

17 May A good hard local derby with Whakatane, in front of a decent crowd at Awakeri. A nil all draw, but Rangers had a number of chances, with a Caleb Hyndman rocket bouncing off the post. Wett made a great save to deny Matt Dalgity in the second half. Some pretty aggressive tackles luckily didn't end in further injuries. Scott Geddes made his debut with a run in defence.Here is the report.

13 May The Federation has confirmed that the Rangers TBC fixtures have been reversed, as per our request. We now play TBC away on July 12 and home on August 2nd.

10 May Rangers rounded up a reasonable line-up for the Old Blues game, with Richie and Bas starting in the centre midfield. However, various events conspired against us. Two penalty decisions gave the home team two goals, costing us big time in a 3 - 2 loss. Deano's chip over the keeper from 40 metres at a free kick was the highlight. Here's the report.

5 May A miserable day at Awakeri. Our injury woes deepened yet again with Jeremy Hawkes suffering a serious knee injury, and out for the season. He's convalescing at home. Two goals in each half saw TCU run out 4 - 0 winners. Even a late penalty hit the post and rebounded away. Read the report if you really want.

28 April. Some good pics of the Chatham Cup game, thanks to Stewart Sutton. Plus..., added bonus, fashion tips from a Rangers star.

26 April Rangers Chatham Cup dreams are over, beaten 2 - 0 by Internationale. Worse than the loss, a broken ankle suffered by centre midfielder Josh Hyndman in the first half. He is undergoing surgery in Tauranga on Tuesday. A decent crowd at Awakeri, about 200, watched the game. Here is the match report. Well done to Te Puke who beat their Auckland opposition. Other results.

20 April A good battle against Fury yesterday. Dave Cook's latest assembly of players had a lot of higher level experience along with the usual multicultural mix. A couple of defensive errors gave away Rangers early lead, with Fury winning 3 - 1. Here is the match report.
Training this week, ONLY on Wednesday, to allow recovery time for the game on Friday. 6pm as usual.
Here are a few pics from the game. Looks like photographer Steve turned the camera off when Fury got their two quick goals!

17 April The game against Tauranga Boys College scheduled for the day after the Chatham Cup fixture has been postponed until August 2nd. Both TBC and Rangers are in Chatham Cup games on Friday Anzac Day 25th April.
Jeremy and Josh both missed training tonight, recovering from Saturday's injuries. On the plus side, Wett will be back and Richie could be as well.

16 April Lots of rain this week should help make the Awakeri field different from the hard dusty track of last Saturday. Check out Photo of the Week to see the lush growth of weeds covering our Edgecumbe Domain pitch!!!!!

9 April The Chatham Cup draw is out. Rangers are to play a team called Internationale, at home on Anzac Day Friday April 25th. The rest of the draw is here. Internationale are an Auckland Sunday League premier division team.
Existing sponsors Little Orchard Preschool have confirmed they will be supporting Plains Rangers again this season, along with major sponsor Gary Fowell Builders. Rangers are looking forward to their first home game, hosting league leaders Te Puke at Awakeri. Rangers could be without several leading players, while Te Puke are fresh from a convincing win at Opotiki, where coach Shaun McIlwain said they could have scored twenty goals instead of the eight they did put away. This is a chance for Rangers to be truly tested!

6 April Rangers roared off to a good start in BOP div one with a 2 - 1 away win at Rotorua United. Two beautifully struck goals friom James Mitchell and Caleb Hyndman could easily have been added to with an ounce of luck, such was the dominance of the Rangers team. Rotorua salvaged a little pride with a last minute penalty, to make the scoreline look like it was a close game.Here are some good action shots. Read the report.
Most other results have come in too. Email us if you have a score to post!

31 March Entertainment plus at the NZFC game at Mt Maunganui yesterday. Waikato FC lost to Youngheart Manawatu 5 - 4.
Kiwi Ryan Nelsen played his first premier league game for 10 weeks, helping Blackburn Rovers to a 0 - 0 draw against Reading.
Meantime, Plains Rangers gear up for their first 1st div game since 2005. Rangers have never met Rotorua United, though of course they had many battles with the old Rotorua City and Suburbs clubs that form United. Kick off is 2.30 pm at Suburbs grounds.

29 March The league fixtures have been finalised, they are listed on the Federation website, and have started being posted on here. Rangers fixtures have not changed from the draft draw, but a number have, apparently.

27 March Our fun quiz has been updated again, check it out, tell the truth!!!
The league draws are expected to be finalised in the next few days.
The cricket boys all finally turned up to training tonight. Wett ran the leg breaks, yorkers and googlies out of their systems. Dan excited everyone with the news that his latest radio ad is about to hit the airwaves. Bazza took Wett's call for full intensity a bit far by miskicking the ball into Wett's eye from close range.

23 March Only two weeks till kick-off day. Will Rangers be ready? The cricketers will have to sharpen up quickly, hopefully they will be more onto it than NZ's cricketers! Yes Dan is right (!) Rangers play their first game v Rot Utd at Neil Hunt Park, the old Rotorua Suburbs ground, on the way into Rotorua.
Rangers players are aching after Wett's training session on Thursday. Hopefully the pain will have disappeared before Tuesday's session hits us!
A lot of Rangers players are doing their bit for junior football this season... Christian, Dan and Josh are coaching Awakeri junior teams, and Kirk has got a Kawerau team. Bazza is involved at the admin level too.

13 March The beach run was, well, tiring, but lots of fun afterwards, from Dan's 10,000 envelopes to Caleb's toe passes. The endless stories ranged from Paraparaumu to Whakatane!
BIG NEWS, Rangers are confirmed in BOP div one this season!! A draft draw is here.Rangers draft fixture list is here. Clubs have the draft draws for the other divisions as well. Teams entered in the other divisions are listed on the (blank) points tables.

7 March Beach run at Thornton this coming Tuesday, 6pm.
Subs are set at $125, these are now payable to Bas or Margaret and are due to be paid by the end of May.

4 March Good news from the Federation that there may well be a spot for Rangers in BOP division one this season. It will be confirmed at the end of this week. There is a draft draw out with our first league game away to Rotorua United at the Rotorua International Stadium on April 5, then home at Awakeri to Te Puke, then AFC Fury!!
Tonight Rangers had a first pre-season outing, at home to Kawerau. The visitors looked like they'd had more trainings together and had their combinations going better, which was true, since four of the Rangers line-up hadn't been to any trainings! There were promising signs though. Youngster Luke Overworth scored for Rangers in a 3 - 1 loss. Ref Michel Nillesen and his assistants did a good job in the gathering gloom, on a slippery pitch. Highlight of the night was Jezza doing a step over and wrong footing the linesman behind him, who overbalanced and tumbled to the ground!

28 Feb Everyone survived the Latham's Track hill run on Tuesday. Some looked quite fresh at the end! First pre-season game next Tuesday, v Kawerau, Kick-off 5.30 pm or 6 pm. Venue Awakeri. Good to see our cricketers back to training.
Wellington Phoenix surprised many be letting Felipe go.

24 Feb Our fun survey has been renewed. Have your say!! Please take note, it's only for fun (yes I did get a complaint about a question a couple of years ago, so there are no questions about referees!). Take the survey.
Newcastle Jets won the A League grand final, beating Central Coast 1 - 0. The game ended in controversy with a red card to CCM's keeper and a penalty claim denied.
Meanwhile, Plains Rangers are likely to enter the Chatham Cup this year, for the first time in our history.
Remember training on Tuesday starts at Chrstian's place, halfway between the Awakeri Hot Springs and the Awakeri turn-off. 6 pm.

19 Feb Good training game tonight, six aside, with our cricketers still off playing their other sport. More step overs, nutmegs, dummies and glimpses of class than you'd see in a whole season of league games! Welcome to new striker Caleb Hyndman, who put away a few chances.

17 Feb Local NZFC team Waikato FC lost badly to Otago Utd at the Mount today, going down 2 - 0 and finishing with 9 men! Meanwhile the Newcastle Jets won thru to the A League grand final (against CCM) courtesy of a 3 - 2 win against Queensland Roar. That referee handed out three penalties, in generous style. Preseason football looms in the BOP, with lots of challenges being laid down.

14 Feb Training called off tonight, so players could enjoy some rain falling on the Plains. Tuesday 6pm is next up.

13 Feb Rangers will be competing in BOP div two this season. Hopes of elevation to div one were dashed at the Fed meeting tonight when it was confirmed that that division would be only ten teams. The Federation league now has an unwieldy 15 teams in it, with three to be relegated. No chance of promotion to the Fed league this season was a contentious topic. There will however be promotion and relegation between BOP div 1 and 2.
First proper training Thursday (14th) 6pm at the Edgecumbe Domain, after that, Tuesdays and Thursdays. All welcome.

6 Feb Club meeting tonight decided.... First training (kick around followed by drinks) this Saturday on the Edgecumbe Domain, 4pm. Furthers trainings to be discussed there, but likely to be Tuesdays and Thursdays. New players welcome, phone Barrie on 3222076 for further info.Club keen to play BOP div one if opportunity arises. Gary Fowell Builders keen to continue sponsorship. Next Rangers meeting after training March 6th.

30 Jan The new season is looming! Club meeting at Margaret's (22 Bridge Street Edgecumbe) Wednesday 6th Feb, 7pm. All welcome. First players get together Saturday 9th Feb, 4pm. Venue to be decided at the meeting. Dust those boots off! Go for a run!

26 Jan Peter Arndell has been appointed Football Competitions manager for our Federation. He is based in Hamilton and will run both the BOP and Waikato leagues.
The A League finals started last night. Check our A League pages for the details.

18 Jan News that Football NZ heavily in debt. Will we all have to pay, to bail them out, again!
Seventeen yr-old Costa Barbarouses very good first full game for Phoenix in their final outing of the season.

14 Jan The Phoenix have now slipped to bottom of the A League after a dismal performance against Melbourne. In a fascinating end to the regular season, all four top clubs are on 31 points with one game to play!! At least there is a finals series to sort them out. One of the few times a finals series seems fair.
Barry Lusher's job as the BOP Federation worker has disappeared. Hopefully BOP clubs will get a fair deal from the administrator in Hamilton. Clubs will be watching and waiting with interest. Barry had certainly done a good job for his region.

7 Jan 2008 Happy New Year! In front of a large noisy home crowd, the Phoenix blew their last home game, losing to two late Sydney goals and putting themselves out of play-off contention.
In local news, it seems Werner Rechsteiner will be back coaching Rangers' neighbours Whakatane this year.

There is lots of fascinating news and trivia from 2008 - 2012, 2007-06, 2005, 2004, 2003 and 2002 and beyond. Have a read!

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Click here to see Action Photos