Our Ethnic Roots
ZEALANDIA
In the late 1950's, Dutch Settlers who came to NZ to join in the building and plastering "boom" and formed a club called "Zealandia" and eventually changed their name to Wellington United. The "Dutchies" as they are more commonly known were just as fanatical about their football then as they are today and realised if the club was to survive they would have to join forces with another club and Diamonds was the obvious neighbourly one to join with. It happened, and the all powerful Wellington Diamond United combine was formed and for almost two decades W.D.U. were a major force in NZ soccer winning Central League and National League titles.
HUNGARIA
The Hungarian uprising of 1956 saw 200 000+ Hungarians flee their country and several found their way to New Zealand. Many of the young men had grown up playing football in the shadow of the Golden Team - The Hungarian national team who famously beat England 6-3 at Wembley in 1953. Players such as brothers Andras & Laci Polyanszky, Julius Beck, Stefan Nemet, Imre Kiss were some of the finest footballers to ever play in New Zealand. Formed in 1962, within 5 years they had won the Venus Shield and in 1970 were an inaugural member of the National League. After one season in the National League they joined with Miramar Rangers and formed Wellington City. Wellington City was a team for the National League, while Hungaria and Miramar Rangers retained their own identity. Wellington City stayed in the National League until 1976. After being relegated, Miramar withdrew from the arrangement and in 1979 Hungaria formally merged with Wellington City
WELLINGTON UNITED
Wellington Diamond United had just won the National League but needed a home ground, Wellington City were a prominent Central League side who resided at Newtown Park. With the NZFA making clear future plans for the National League meant it unlikely that clubs such as City would get promoted, they approached WDU and proposed a merger and Wellington City Diamond United was born, thankfully shortened to Wellington United a year later.
KEY MEMBERS
It would be very appropriate to mention some of the key people who have served the club throughout the 40 or so years of mergers and amalgamations and are still serving our club. Particularly the surviving members who have given an incredible amount of service:
ZEALANDIA
Max Brorens, Leo Zonneveld and Rene Henke
DIAMONDS
Danny McCrorey and Sheila McCrorey
HUNGARIA
Keith Griffin, Frank Papp and Julius Beck
WELLINGTON CITY
Bob Minshull and John Shanks
WELLINGTON UNITED
John Dow, Ian Rogers, Ulf Ackeus, John Barry and Ken Allen
In the late 1950's, Dutch Settlers who came to NZ to join in the building and plastering "boom" and formed a club called "Zealandia" and eventually changed their name to Wellington United. The "Dutchies" as they are more commonly known were just as fanatical about their football then as they are today and realised if the club was to survive they would have to join forces with another club and Diamonds was the obvious neighbourly one to join with. It happened, and the all powerful Wellington Diamond United combine was formed and for almost two decades W.D.U. were a major force in NZ soccer winning Central League and National League titles.
HUNGARIA
The Hungarian uprising of 1956 saw 200 000+ Hungarians flee their country and several found their way to New Zealand. Many of the young men had grown up playing football in the shadow of the Golden Team - The Hungarian national team who famously beat England 6-3 at Wembley in 1953. Players such as brothers Andras & Laci Polyanszky, Julius Beck, Stefan Nemet, Imre Kiss were some of the finest footballers to ever play in New Zealand. Formed in 1962, within 5 years they had won the Venus Shield and in 1970 were an inaugural member of the National League. After one season in the National League they joined with Miramar Rangers and formed Wellington City. Wellington City was a team for the National League, while Hungaria and Miramar Rangers retained their own identity. Wellington City stayed in the National League until 1976. After being relegated, Miramar withdrew from the arrangement and in 1979 Hungaria formally merged with Wellington City
WELLINGTON UNITED
Wellington Diamond United had just won the National League but needed a home ground, Wellington City were a prominent Central League side who resided at Newtown Park. With the NZFA making clear future plans for the National League meant it unlikely that clubs such as City would get promoted, they approached WDU and proposed a merger and Wellington City Diamond United was born, thankfully shortened to Wellington United a year later.
KEY MEMBERS
It would be very appropriate to mention some of the key people who have served the club throughout the 40 or so years of mergers and amalgamations and are still serving our club. Particularly the surviving members who have given an incredible amount of service:
ZEALANDIA
Max Brorens, Leo Zonneveld and Rene Henke
DIAMONDS
Danny McCrorey and Sheila McCrorey
HUNGARIA
Keith Griffin, Frank Papp and Julius Beck
WELLINGTON CITY
Bob Minshull and John Shanks
WELLINGTON UNITED
John Dow, Ian Rogers, Ulf Ackeus, John Barry and Ken Allen