18 December 2002 Oceania Confederation wins automatic entry to the World Cup. All the Aussies think this means them, but alas...

8 December Plains Rangers player of the year Ryan Wilson shows he can do more than score goals, appearing on national television in an ad for Cheapskates, on primetime in between a documentary on the making of Lord Of The Rings. Ryan appeared as himself, an accomplished skateboarder. He also works for Cheapskates in Manukau Auckland. This had better not put your appearance fees up Ryan! Plus, the Kingz are now up to 5th in the NSL. See the table.

6 December The Kingz win again, 3 in a row for the first time. Ruity's and Hori's teams had a great 4 a-side battle in the Edgecumbe summer soccer.

5 November. A good start to summer family soccer at Edgecumbe with 12 teams entering. The Awakeri juniors also have twelve teams playing, so that's about 250 people altogether! Check out the West Hamilton invitation team, looking like the Kingz 

23 October Barrie Hawkes is going to join up with his four sons Kerry, Darby, Ashley and Jeremy playing for West Hamilton in this weekend's Mt Maunganui tournament.

22 October Over the summer, Edgecumbe are holding family summer soccer, on a Friday evening. Contact Hori Elliot to enter. Rangers are also looking towards next season. Anyone interested in coaching Rangers, understanding the reasonably social attitude of the club, should contact Simon Ruiter ph 3048422, or email  Barrie Hawkes. On the global scene, one of New Zealand's best players Simon Elliott helped the LA Galaxy win the MLS in the USA in front of 60,000 fans.

21 October The Kingz had a brilliant game. Their ten men (Van Steeden sent off in 12th min) drew with league leader, last year's champs Sydney Olympic Sharks 2 - 2. Chilean Almendra was in brilliant form.

19 October The Plains Rangers prize giving was a really good night. The Edgecumbe Sports Club two rugby teams, netball team and Rangers players enjoyed each others' company.  Worthy recipients were: Player of the Year: Ryan Wilson; Personality : Sjoerd Overdevest; Sportsman: Daniel Overdevest; Young Player: Matt Aberhart; Most improved: Jason Shaw; Golden Boot: Ryan Wilson; Stirrer: Barrie Hawkes. Click here to see past honours.

9 October The Kingz went down to Perth Glory 1 - 0 - disappointing, although a huge improvement over their 7 - 2 thrashing last season.

29 September The Football Kingz are off to a flying start, Harry Ngata scored four goals away against Northern Spirit last night, to have the Kingz unbeaten after two games. The Kingz are top of the table, while 'con' men South Melbourne are bottom! Meanwhile in the last fixture of the local season, Greerton (BOP Div 1 champs) beat Cambridge (Waikato champs) 2 - 1 to win the Caper Cup.

16 September Whakatane won the Tasman Cup after a penalty shoot out against Ngongotaha. The bruising encounter saw a player from each side sent off and a Ngongy player end up with an opponent's tooth embedded in his head! See all the Tasman Cup rounds.

4 September A few results from the catch-up games played at the weekend. Div One Whakatane 3 Kawerau 1, Greerton 2 Te Puke 1, hence Greerton are Div One champions. Div 2: Ngongotaha 7 Kawerau 0, Tauranga CU One 2 Taupo 1, Greerton 1, TCU Two 1. TCU One now have a great chance to take 2nd place off Plains Rangers. They only have to beat their TCU Two team. Consider it done! No other results to hand.

31 August Rangers played a friendly against Whakatane reserves, and had a good 2 - 1 win. Pete Sheather, Steve Vierboom, Josh Van Veen and Luke made useful guest appearances. Read the report.

25 August Check out the cool action pics from Saturday. Thanks Sara!

24 August Apart from Brendan Cusack, Rangers played like turkeys in their last game of the season, to go down at home to Rotorua Suburbs 3 - 4. Will they retain 2nd spot in the league? Read the report. Cuse decides to keep playing with Bazza's 'lucky' old boots after two left foot goals. The TBC team that Rangers beat on the 13th went on to come second in the New Zealand premier secondary schools tournament last week.

17 August FIFA's latest rankings have New Zealand shooting 41 places up, courtesy of their Oceania Nations Cup win, to an all time high of 47th in the World. Click here for our view of NZ Soccer.

13 August Rangers knocked over the unbeaten TBC team under lights with an impressive display of defence and a well worked goal. Read the report.

6 August Cool photo of Ryan on the back page of today's Beacon!

5 August On Saturday the Edgecumbe rugby team won their 3rd division final against Judea at the Rotorua International Stadium. Congratulations lads! Today Kawerau Town Soccer Club hosted Bill Rothwell's funeral. It was a fitting send off, with son Gavin and Diane Wahrlich giving moving eulogies, and a number of other people also paying tribute. Mind you, Neil Wahrlich said it may have been Bill's greatest stunt, getting the local derby against 'cockroaches' Whakatane postponed till Gavin's injury had recovered!

1 August At practice, Ryan bets Jason $10 he can't dribble the ball past him and run the length of the field to score. Jase spends the rest of the practice trying to get his money. Ryan then sets the challenge that the scorer of the 'winning goal' would get dinner bought for him in the clubrooms. Cuse shows that he responds well to enticement by scoring a peach of a goal. A shame he never does that on Saturdays!

31 July Sad news from Kawerau that club president Bill Rothwell died suddenly. Bill's son Gavin is a tower of strength in the Kawerau midfield.

27 July Rangers romp home 7 - 0 at Otumoetai. Ryan bags 4 wearing his 'lucky undies', while Buzza  grabs 3. Read the report.

25 July Rangers' game against unbeaten Tauranga Boys College due to be played on August 17, is being reschuduled because of TBC heading off to a national tournament. The match is likely to be held under lights at Papamoa on Tuesday 13 August at 7.15 p.m. Hopefully it will still be a top of the table clash!

20 July Rangers pull one out of the fire. Simon Ruiter, and Ryan Wilson convert the goals for a last minute 4 - 3 win against Ngongotaha. Read the report.

16 July The only 2nd division team to upset a 1st div outfit on Saturday was, you've guessed it, Ngongotaha, who come to Edgecumbe this Saturday. Rangers are likely to be without the Overdevest bros in midfield as well. Everyone will have to step forward. Check out the Tasman Cup and Bowl results here.

14 July Rangers disappointment at being bundled out of the Tasman Cup pales into insignificance. The All Whites beat Australia 1 - 0 to win a) the Oceania Nations Cup b) $US 1 million and c) a place in the FIFA Confederations Cup in France 2003. Ryan Nelsen scored in the 79th minute.

7 July Rangers crash to a loss as the 'flu' hits hard. Colin Lawrence makes his first appearance for the season, and lasts the game in centre midfield. Read the write-up. The draw is out for the Tasman Cup. Rangers are away to a mid-table 1st division side- Otumoetai. Meanwhile  NZ beats PNG 9 - 1 in the Nations Cup

4 July Lots of soccer news in NZ. New Kingz coaches Ken Dugdale and Stu Jacobs, sees farewell to Kevin Fallon and Shane Rufer. The All Whites begin their Oceania Nations Cup campaign in Auckland on Friday night against Tahiti, and hope to meet Aussie in the final next Sunday (14th) if both teams get through. Winner goes to the FIFA  Confederations Cup. Click here to see the draw for the ONC.

3 July Rangers move up to 2nd on the table but up ahead, Tauranga Boys slaughtered Otumoetai 14 - 1. Rangers don't meet TBC until August 17th.

1 July What a weekend! Rangers play some excellent football to down Greerton. Read the rave up on it. The All Whites wake up to give Dunfermline Athletic a beating 4 - 2, and Brazil give us all glorious dreams when they win the World Cup again.

15 June An excellent start to the new BOP division 2 v Taupo. You can tell they've been watching the world cup. Ryan scores with an overhead kick, Buzza blasts one in from 20 m. Read the report.

12 June The draw is our for the new BOP 2nd division Click here to see it.

11 June Some cool action photos are on line. Have a look.

9 June Rangers had the hard luck to draw hosts Rotorua Suburbs and winners Kawerau in their side of the  Best Insulation tournament. They lost to RS 2 - 1, with Ryan Wilson finishing his goal superbly, and Matt Aberhart making one outstanding save. They lost to Kawerau 1 - 0 in a closely contested game. The brand new strip looks great-  see the team photo.

1 June Good debut from ex-Matamata keeper Matt Aberhart. Larry Wetting finally got on the field, Ruity finally got out of goal. George Dalgity turned up at training after a long absence. Greerton came to play us but they ended up battling each other. It was an entertaining game! Read the report.

25 May Competitive local derby v Whakatane. Ex Rangers players Muggsy and Finchy did well for their new side. A two all draw, fair enough. Mark Oldham showed everyone how to celebrate a goal in good English style. Sjoerd kindly helped ref Norm Howe back to his feet, after he accidentally flattened him with a change of direction! Read the report.

19 May A large win at Taupo. Cusack plays striker. Sjoerd hits a thunderbolt. Ryan grabs a hat-trick. The build up to next Saturday's derby against Whakatane reserves is on. Will Finchy and Muggsy be playing? Will they dare not to? 1st division leaders Whakatane and Ngongy are toppled too.

13 May A German great Jurgen Kohler attributes his footballing success to the following ten commandments... 1) respect the rival 2) be self dependent 3) to be able to endure pain 4) to improve professionalism on a regular basis 5) to enjoy every training 6) to be alcohol free 7) to not brag about wealth 8) not to make decisions considering only financial issues 9)  respect fans 10) help team mates. Rangers players follow some of these closely, but have never heard of the others!

12 May A bruising top of the table clash, Rangers on the wrong end of a 1 - 0 score line. The good news, Joel Ogilvy staying in the area. In the NSL final, Perth Glory lose to Sydney Olympic 1 - 0 in front of 42000 fans. In the NZ national league, our nearest team Tauranga City Utd (we lost to their fourth team yesterday!) are in the semi-finals next Sunday.

4 May The seasonal delights of duck shooting and kiwifruit harvest meant Rangers had to play with only ten men (including Jeremy "Grommy" Hawkes aged 13) at Otumoetai today. And did we win? Did we what! Read the match report!

27 April Debuts from Warren Gee and Mark Jeynes, a couple of nice goals from Ryan Wilson and Rangers have a good 2 - 0 win away at Te Puke. Read the match report.

25 April Neighbours Whakatane were unlucky to lose to Northern Leaguers Manurewa (Auckland) in the Chatham Cup. They hit the woodwork three times & went down in extra time 1 - 2.

22 April Apparently we didn't win by default on Saturday. Ngongy had a number of players away at a secondary tournament and have asked to have the game rescheduled. Tim Lawrence has revised his incentive: "Tell Ruity and Sebastian if they get ten goals between them this season then it's a box of Waikato and a bottle of opel nera each!" Our junior clubs have also kicked off. Click here to visit one of them - Awakeri.

13 April A good away win at Otumoetai. Cusack decides he'll keep his foot after all! Check out the details.

10 April At practice, Cusack decides he could have his right foot amputated as he can shoot better with his left! Christian Wetting is to try his luck in Palmerston North with Manawatu national league club.

9 April A message from ex-Rangers striker Tim Lawrence currently living in Holland.."Go on the lads...Rangers for the title I say, with Ruity leading the way, just like King Kev and Man City. Bas I want you to score at least two goals in the next match. Oi oi Edgecumbe!"

8 April   Plains Rangers began their season with a 2 - 2 draw at home to Kawerau. Both goals to debutant Ryan Wilson. English import Mark Oldham player of the day. Click here for match report / results. The Kingz lost their final NSL game of the season. Click here to view their miserable season.

29 Mar Neighbours Tauranga City's national league team had a brilliant 7 - 0  win over reigning champs Central United away in Auckland. Well done TCU.

23 Mar A good pre-season tournament at Kawerau. Only one loss, to 1st div Kawerau's 1st team, the other five games were draws and wins. Unfortunate injury to Steve Vierboom, hopefully he recovers quickly. Highlights were the goals from debutant Ryan Wilson, who showed he will be an asset; Joel Oglvy's workrate; the  giant Dutch blond centreback pairing of Big Ron and Dan the Man; & Chopper's judgement when playing keeper. Oh yeah... and beating Finchy's team!

16 Mar The good news that the World Cup will be on telly in NZ was counter-acted by the Kingz having a shocker, losing at home to Parramatta Power 1 - 7. Is this the end of Kevin Fallon??

9 Mar The amazing similarities between the Kingz' season and Rangers efforts last year continue. Last night the Kingz failed to convert some excellent chances and lost 2 - 1, to stay bottom of the NSL. Coach Fallon's job is up for review this week. Rangers' two coaches last season have since left the club. Also SKY TV sold their controlling interest in the Kingz. I hope this does not mean the Plains Hotel will quit supporting Rangers!

5 Mar Margaret Elliot has taken the secretary's job back, with the AGM scheduled for 20th March. Pre-season tournament at Kawerau 24 March, with leagues kicking off 6 April. Good news that Joel Ogilvy could be available this season.

4 Mar Another good training attendance. Welcome back to Colin Lawrence who will add stability to the side. Colin's brother Tim has lived for a number of years in Holland, after being a top goal scorer for Edgecumbe. Tim says "Hope that the Plains Rangers are kicking some arse, especially Kawerau! Unfortunately I have hung up my boots at an early age, well until my knee is fully recovered. These Dutch are dirty mongrels. Lucky for you that they are on your team! Wish the lads every success for this season." Tim is also an avid Man City supporter, so the sky blue colour goes down well.

1 Mar 2002 The Kingz might have beaten Napier City Rovers 2 - 0 , but then they had an undeserved 2 - 1 loss at home to the Knights.

15 Dec 2001Wynton Rufer finally retired this week. The Kingz will have to survive without his special abilities.

8 Dec Last year's player-coach for part of the season and defensive stalwart Ian 'Slaphead' Finch is transferring back to his old club Whakatane for next season. Finchy will be player-coach of the BOP Div 2 side. Good luck Finchy, and thanks for all the input to Plains Rangers.

2 Dec OUCH! The Kingz waste another lead to lose in the last ten minutes for the third time this season. Their record is starting to resemble Plains Rangers' from last season! Let's hope not!

18 Nov Kevin Fallon is  the new Football Kingz coach.

9 Nov The Kingz grab their first win of the season, away to Sydney United. It was total commitment for stand-in coach Shane Rufer.

21 Oct 2001 Christian Wetting was instrumental in helping a Greerton select team he was part of WIN the Labour Day tournament at Mt Maunganui. Greerton had a composite side, including Wetts from Rangers, and players from Whakatane and Otumoetai. They beat Vatican City (Wellington) in the semi before beating Ellerslie (Auckland) on penalties in the final. Wett's massive long throw-ins, to the FAR post, brought three headed goals today.

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