Central United Football Club

VALE BARRY SMITH QSM

A treasured friend of Kiwitea Street and a giant of New Zealand football.

Central United FC and Auckland City FC are deeply saddened to acknowledge the passing of our great friend and long-time supporter, Barry Smith QSM, who passed away on Friday 28 August 2026.

Barry’s passing represents an enormous loss not only to his family and friends, but to the wider New Zealand football community. Few individuals have devoted as much of their lives to recording, preserving and celebrating the history of our game.

For those of us at Kiwitea Street, however, Barry was much more than New Zealand football’s pre-eminent historian.

He was one of us.

For approximately 30 years, Barry was a familiar and much-loved face at Kiwitea Street and a great friend and supporter of both Central United and Auckland City FC. Together with his wife Colleen, he followed the fortunes of our clubs through countless matches, seasons and memorable occasions.

His family’s connection to Kiwitea Street was strengthened through his son Jonathan Smith, who represented both Central United and Auckland City with distinction over many years.

Barry possessed an extraordinary knowledge of football and an equally generous willingness to share it. A conversation with him could take you back through decades of the New Zealand game, recalling players, matches, clubs, competitions and seemingly obscure statistics with remarkable accuracy.

His contribution began astonishingly early. In 1953, aged just 15, Barry used his own pocket money to employ a typist to help compile his first collection of New Zealand football records, which he distributed to football associations around the country.

That teenage passion became a lifetime’s work.

Barry went on to edit the New Zealand Soccer Annual for 15 years, contributed research and statistics to numerous football publications, became New Zealand Football’s honorary historian, and was made a Life Member of New Zealand Football and the NZ Football Media Association.

He painstakingly maintained Northern League records stretching back to its inception in 1968 and became the person generations of administrators, journalists, clubs and football enthusiasts turned to when searching for information about our game’s past.

His contribution was recognised with numerous honours, including Auckland Football’s Long Service Award and the Friends of Football Medal of Excellence in 2018. In 2020, Barry received one of the greatest acknowledgements of his lifetime when he was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for services to football and historical research.

Perhaps his greatest legacy, however, is the extraordinary historical collection he leaves behind.

Over more than six decades, Barry assembled an archive occupying three rooms of his home and containing scrapbooks, newspaper articles, photographs, match programmes and other priceless pieces of New Zealand football history — some dating as far back as 1899.

When Barry eventually needed to downsize, the New Zealand Football Foundation stepped forward to help ensure this irreplaceable collection survived for future generations. An archival specialist described it as the finest-curated archive assembled by a private collector they had encountered during 30 years in the industry.

A volunteer-led digitisation project followed, and by early 2026 more than 25,000 pages had been scanned, with almost 10,000 metadata-tagged as part of the development of an AI-driven searchable archive.

It means the work Barry began as a 15-year-old schoolboy more than 70 years ago can live on for future generations.

Barry understood better than most why that mattered:

“The value is in the stories, not just the data.”

Barry ensured those stories were never forgotten. Now his own story occupies a very special place amongst them.

For Central United and Auckland City, there will also be a much more personal absence. After some three decades of seeing Barry at Kiwitea Street, it simply will not be the same without him.

We will miss his friendship, his conversation, his remarkable knowledge and, above all, the familiar presence of a gentleman who cared enormously about football and became an important part of the fabric of our clubs.

On behalf of the players, coaches, officials, members, supporters and extended families of Central United FC and Auckland City FC, we extend our deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Colleen, Tony, Jennie, Jonathan, Sayaka and the entire Smith family at this incredibly sad time.

Thank you for everything, Barry.

You were a great friend to our clubs, a remarkable servant of New Zealand football and a true custodian of the history of the game we all love.

You will be greatly missed, but never forgotten.

Rest in peace, Barry.

A service to celebrate Barry’s life will be held at All Saints Chapel, Purewa Cemetery, 100/102 St John’s Road, Meadowbank, Auckland on Thursday 3 September at 12pm.

BARRY SMITH QSM

1937 – 2026

STRENGTH IN UNITY

CENTRAL WOMEN DELIVER AT KIWITEA! 💛💙

Congratulations to Phill Pickering-Parker and Patrick Burtenshaw and their Central United Women’s side on an excellent 2-0 victory over West Auckland at Kiwitea Street this afternoon.

Central could hardly have wished for a better start, with Eli McKenna finding the net after just two minutes to give the home side the perfect early advantage.

The girls continued to apply the pressure and were rewarded again in the 23rd minute, when Ella Kay struck to double the lead and put Central firmly in control at 2-0.

From there, the team showed plenty of determination and discipline to protect their advantage, keeping West Auckland scoreless and securing a thoroughly deserved three points and clean sheet.

The victory was an important one for Central, moving the team three points above Te Atatu on the table and into seventh position, with 12 points from 19 matches.

After the recent 1-0 victory over Te Atatu, today’s result also gives the girls back-to-back home wins at Kiwitea Street and provides further reward for the hard work and commitment shown by the squad throughout the season.

Well done to Phill, Patrick, the players and everyone involved with the team. A great way to finish the weekend at Kiwitea!

CENTRAL UNITED 2 – WEST AUCKLAND 0
⚽ 2’ Eli McKenna
⚽ 23’ Ella Kay

STRENGTH IN UNITY! 💛💙

NORTHLAND ROLLER COASTER

Life is full of ups and downs, and Central United’s away trip to Whangārei certainly proved to be a roller coaster from start to finish.

Following a two-hour bus journey north, the Central squad arrived to persistent rain and a Trigg Arena pitch that was already looking decidedly waterlogged.

With conditions deemed unsuitable, the referee made the decision to relocate the match to a pitch in Otaika, another 15 minutes down the road, while also delaying kick-off by an hour.

If that wasn’t enough, the replacement pitch was situated around half a kilometre from the somewhat ramshackle changing rooms, meaning the players were thoroughly drenched simply making their way to and from their pre-match warm-up!

When proceedings finally got underway at 4pm, the conditions dictated the style of football. With the rain continuing to tumble down and the surface deteriorating by the minute, the contest quickly developed into a route-one, long-ball battle.

Central adapted well initially and struck first after 17 minutes. A superb through ball released Dillon Raif, who finished clinically to put the Yellow and Blues 1–0 ahead.

Northland responded midway through the opening half, finding an equaliser from Isaac Richards to send the teams into the sheds — or, more accurately, on the long trek back to them — locked at 1–1.

The persistent rain and increasingly sodden pitch turned the second 45 minutes into something of a lottery.

Both sides battled gamely in search of a winner, with commitment certainly not lacking despite the difficult conditions. Unfortunately for Central, it was Northland who found the decisive breakthrough deep into injury time, with James Birmingham snatching a late 93rd minute goal to secure a 2–1 victory.

The rain-soaked referee duly brought proceedings to an end shortly afterwards, leaving a disappointed Central side to contemplate what might have been before embarking on the long, wet and decidedly miserable trudge back to the cold and damp changing rooms.

It was a tough way to lose and a frustrating conclusion to an away trip that had seemingly thrown just about everything at the team before a ball had even been kicked.

One final challenge now remains.

Next weekend brings the curtain down on Central United’s 2026 campaign, with the Yellow and Blues returning home to Kiwitea Street to face Beachlands Maraetai.

Central will be determined to finish the season on a high, secure all three points and consolidate fourth place on the league table.

After the Northland roller coaster, there would be no better way to sign off 2026 than with a victory back home at Kiwitea Street.

Player of the Day: Luka Posa

STRENGTH IN UNITY!

BIG GAME AT KIWITEA! 💛💛

With just three matches remaining in the NRF Women’s League 1 season, the stakes are getting higher as our Central United women welcome West Auckland to Kiwitea Street this Sunday.

After their impressive victory over Te Atatu last time out at Kiwitea, the girls will be looking to build on that performance and carry some valuable momentum into the closing stages of the campaign.

With plenty still to play for, every match matters from here — and Sunday represents another important opportunity for Central to put three valuable points on the board and set themselves up for a strong and memorable finish to the season.

The girls have worked hard throughout the year, so let’s get behind them and give them plenty of yellow-and-blue support from the sidelines!

📅 Sunday 30 August 2026
⚽ Central United vs West Auckland
🏟️ Kiwitea Street
⏰ 1pm KO

Good luck to the players, coaches and everyone involved with the team. Three games to go — give it everything and let’s finish 2026 in style!

COME ON CENTRAL! 💛💛

STRENGTH IN UNITY!

FINAL FLING AT KIWITEA! 💛💛

Fresh off the Central United community teams’ hugely enjoyable Quiz Night at the club last Friday evening, it’s back to football this Saturday as Ben Abele Jacksties’ Central “Espresso Martinelli” side takes centre stage at Kiwitea Street.

Central host Metro Rapa Nui in the final round of the 2026 NRF Men’s Division 2 competition, with the boys looking to finish an enjoyable season on a high and secure a top-half finish on the table.

There’s no better place to round out the campaign than at home, so get along to Kiwitea Street, support the boys and help them finish 2026 in style!

NRF MEN’S DIVISION 2 – ROUND 16
🟡 Central United vs Metro Rapa Nui
📅 Saturday 29 August 2026
📍 Kiwitea Street, Sandringham
⏰ 3:00pm KO
🎟️ FREE ENTRY – ALL WELCOME!

Good luck to Ben and the boys — and congratulations on a thoroughly enjoyable season representing Central United.

Finish strong. Finish together.

STRENGTH IN UNITY! 💛💛

Derby Delight! ⚽️

Games between Waitemata and Central United are rarely straightforward. Traditionally tight, edgy and fiercely contested, this latest derby at Kiwitea Street followed the script perfectly — before delivering a dramatic sting in the tail.

Waitemata arrived in confident mood on the back of three consecutive victories, but it was Central who looked the more threatening from the outset. The front pairing of Luke Pank and Dillon Raif combined well, constantly asking questions of the visitors’ defence.

Central’s pressure was finally rewarded in the 40th minute. A miscontrolled back pass caused confusion in the Waitemata defence and Raif was quickest to react, pouncing on the goalkeeping error and prodding the ball home to give the Yellow Army a deserved 1–0 halftime lead.

Waitemata emerged with renewed purpose after the interval and eventually found a deserved equaliser. A clever run from Phoenix Silver opened up the Central defence before he calmly finished from five metres to restore parity.

From there the derby became an absorbing end-to-end battle. Both sides created opportunities, both squandered chances, and with the clock ticking deep into stoppage time a draw appeared the inevitable outcome.

Then came the 94th-minute drama.

Central won a corner on the left and Matt Kelly drove a powerful delivery into the heart of the Waitemata penalty area. For a split second everyone seemed rooted to the spot — everyone except Alexis Aracena Zuleta.

Rising magnificently above the pack, Alexis met the cross with a superb header, guiding the ball gloriously into the top-left corner of the Waitemata net.

2–1 CENTRAL!

Kiwitea Street erupted as the entire Central team mobbed the match-winner, while a devastated Waitemata side could only look on. There was barely enough time for the restart before the referee brought the curtain down on a pulsating derby.

A late, late winner, three more valuable points and, most importantly, back-to-back victories for Central United as the team continues to build momentum heading into the closing stages of the season.

Next up is an away trip to Northland, where Central will look to make it three wins on the bounce.

Player of the Day: Alexis Aracena Zuleta

STRENGTH IN UNITY! 💛💛

KIWITEA DOUBLEHEADER THIS SATURDAY! ⚽

It’s another BIG Saturday of football for the Kiwitea Street faithful, with two huge matches kicking off at 3pm!

First up, the Navy Blues are chasing Oceania glory as Auckland City FC take on Solomon Islands champions Central Coast FC in the OFC Champions League Final at Govind Park in Ba, Fiji.

We’ll be showing all the action LIVE at Kiwitea Street on FIFA+ via DAZN, so get down early, grab a spot and get behind the boys as they look to bring another piece of international silverware home to Auckland! 🏆

And at the very same time, there’s plenty happening out on the pitch as Central United host local rivals Waitemata FC in another important NRFL Northern Conference encounter.

So whether you’re watching the Navy Blues battle for the title on the screens, cheering on Central from the sideline — or keeping an eye on both! — Kiwitea Street is the place to be this Saturday.

Saturday 22 August | From 3pm
Entry is FREE and everyone is welcome!

Bring your family, bring your mates and come and enjoy a fantastic afternoon of football and Kiwitea Street hospitality.

TWO MATCHES. ONE HOME. ONE BIG AFTERNOON OF FOOTBALL!

💙🤍STRENGTH IN UNITY! 💛💛

CENTRAL WOMEN CLAIM IMPORTANT WIN

Congratulations to Phill Pickering-Parker and his Central United Women’s NRF League One side following an impressive and well-deserved victory over Te Atatu AFC at Kiwitea Street yesterday.

Played in beautiful conditions and in front of an excellent crowd, the match was a terrific advertisement for the women’s game, with both sides producing an entertaining display of free-flowing, positive football from the opening whistle.

In a closely fought contest, it was Amber Joe who ultimately proved the difference, striking the decisive goal in the 76th minute to secure a valuable 1-0 victory for Central.

While only one goal separated the teams on the scoreboard, Central enjoyed the greater share of the play for much of the match and created enough opportunities to have made the final margin more comfortable.

With four rounds remaining, there is still plenty to play for. This important victory should provide the confidence and momentum for the team to finish the season strongly and make the closing weeks of the campaign ones to remember.

Well done to Phill, his staff and all the girls on a fantastic result, and all the very best for the remainder of the season.

STRENGTH IN UNITY! 💛💛