Glanford Park FC

Glanford Park Football Club are a New Zealand 5-a-side association football team based in the city of Wellington, New Zealand.
Nicknamed The Ojays, they are widely recognised as one of the longest standing Indoor Football teams in New Zealand. They are traditionally a successful club known for their attacking brand of football.
History
Early years
Glanford Park began life playing as Scunthorpe United in homage to the english football league side of the same name. The side took its inspiration from founding member and Vice-Captain James Atkinson, a born and bred Scunthonian.
The club made some fantastic early signings and was able to attract big names to the team. James Atkinson was the first name added to the roster, United securing the 17 year old on a free from DMS. Fraser Leith and Shaun Howes both joined for Scunthorpe's innuagral season, and proved to be an explosive combination on the pitch.
Many fans enjoyed the early matches despite results going against the team, even during the tough patch of results, players were cueing up to be part of the side and Manager Adam Wright was having to rebuff offers from players wanting to sign.
The first match Scunthorpe United played was played at Cuba Street, in the old Petone Indoor league. The club initially struggled to make an impact and did not enter the professional era until relatively late. The early results led to a player
exodus and Scunthorpe were forced to let alot of their star players leave. After two seasons wholesale changes were made to the side. Founding players Rob Gilbert, and the exciting duo of Leith and Howes both left to join other clubs.
Both Leith and Howes would again play for the club at later stages, and both would go down as legends despite thier relatively short stay. Adam Wright picked both Leith and Howes in his "Team of the decade".
Moving Grounds
In 2001 Scunthorpe United moved to new premises at Old Hutt road. The new pitch and goal sizes led to some challenges early on. But after a short period of uncertainty the club had stabilised. The old guard of players had almost completely disappeared and was complete when Nicko Davis announced he was leaving the team.
With the new grounds came a host of new players, a new kit, and a change of name. Rebranded as the now iconic Glanford Park the side played in all white jerseys with their principal sponsor the Mill Liquorsave. Just Adam Wright, Neil Bailey and James Atkinson remained from the Cuba street days while Park had lost Michael Curry,
Richard Harris, Nick Meehan, Dan Meehan, Alistair Isdale, Andrew Watt and Dave Gendall. Most players left with the clubs blessing, but Dan Meehans transfer to Netbusters FC was a sore point. Meehan is reported to have said he was "too good" to play for Park.
The impact of so many players leaving was good for Park, who looked to focus on the future and establishing themselves in the professional era.
Park captured the signings of Stokes Valley midfielder Ryan Perry and unproven goalkeeper Marc Colliss. This is now recognised as being the key part in Parks history which took them from league also rans, to the brink of the "unbeatables" era.

The Orange Era Begins
As results steadied following relocation, further signings were added to the roster. Karl Grey and Stuart Kuus were 2 signings that never really delivered on the promise they showed, and sent a message that the club needed to pursue a higher calibre of player. As players found their feet, results gradually improved, Ryan Perry quickly became a fan favourite and Marc Colliss exceeded all expectations in goal.
James Atkinson and Adam Wright continued to rack up the goals as Perry provided the supply line. The side won the minor final in the summer of 2004 which was to be the start of a period of extreme success for the side. The final will be remembered for a stunning extra time goal from Park hero Richard "cheese" Roil. The inspirational player capping a marvellous season by helping park to the trophy.
The team was by now wearing an all Orange kit. By now the club had begun distributing a newsletter "The GPT" or Glanford Park Times. The newsletter was highly successful and gave the club its identity. The now familiar Club crest was developed specifically for this use. The Newsletter helped bind the team and was a vital insight into the inner workings of the club.
===The "unbeatables" Summer 2005===
After promising more quality at the club, Wright bought in key signings 19 year old Daniel Bassett and 27 year old Duncan McIntyre. No one could have predicted the impact these 2 players would make on the side. The roster was now Wright, Atkinson, Bailey, Perry, Colliss, McIntyre and Bassett. The GPT announced the new signings which resulted in a huge publicity lift for the team. GPT readers were for the first time
able to access full match reports and statistics. This bought with it a new sense of purpose as Park was now pushing for trophies in Division 3. Park began the season at home and noteably, without Bassett through injury. James Atkinson produced a man of the match performance and scored a brace in the 3-1 Victory. This set the tone for the season as Bassett came in and park notched some explosive scores. Winning 8-1 and then 9-2
as Bassett found his feet and started banging in the goals. The aquisition of Bassett proved crucial as Park faced their first real challenge of the season in round 4. The match see-sawed throughtout and Park managed to edge the game 4-3 with all 4 goals going to Bassett. He followed this up with an unstoppable display the following week by scoring all 5 in a 5-2 rout. Marc Colliss was also in the form of his life, Bassett and
Colliss were proving to be most effective weapons in Parks Arsenal, Bassett had struck up a formiddible strike partnership with Duncan McIntyre. Park continued to march on with Perry, Wright and Atkinson striking up brilliant understanding in the midfield and the magnificent Neil Bailey in defence. They shot to the top of the league with a superior goal difference and an ever growing points buffer as they continued to win every game.
After a crushing 11-2 win with hattricks to both Atkinson and Bassett, confidence was high and people started to talk about the possibility of the unbeaten season. Park cruised to the league title with their star man Bassett racking up 26 goals. The pressure was now on as Park entered the major playoff finals and felt history calling, 2 more wins would see them achieve a 100% win record in the leage and playoffs which had never been
done before. Duncan McIntyre duly provided a game breaking hattrick in the semi final as park booked their final spot. Fittingly the Major Final was a display of high octane attacking football, in which Dan Bassett scored a hattrick to help PArk to a 6-3 vicotry and the first major silverware in the clubs history. Bassett was named player of the season, while Marc Colliss won the first Final MVP award for his brilliant display in goal.
The team had managed to win every game of the campaign and Park fans were in dreamland. The seasons success was credited to the brilliant recruitment of Bassett and McIntyre and to an astonishing 33 assists from playmaker James Atkinson.
===The Double "Double" Autumn 2005 season===
Transfer Speculation
*Players linked with a departure in the pre-season included goalkeeper Marc Colliss and Striker Playmaker Ryan Perry. The GPT carried a story on an approach made for perry by Chelsea F.c but this was later dismissed and Perry remained at the club. A formal offer was never recieved.
Pre-season
Prospects appeared bright again for the Ojays as the pre-season results were promising. More crushing victories followed and Adam wright set the record for the fastest Hattrick (9 minutes). Excitement was in the air after the GPT announced that there would be no incomings or outgoings for the SPring 05 season. The fact the squad would remain unchanged from the dominating of the previous season was seen as an important factor in future success.
Season proper
Surprisingly the league season itself got off to a bad start, losing 6-5 on the opening day was a blow for the players and fans. Many started to question whether it was right to leave the squad unchanged and there was speculation that James Atkinson may take over as manager.
The nagging doubts were forgotten the very next game as Park went on to a 9-3 victory with a dustomary Bassett Hattrick, they followed this up by registering another 9 goals as they won 9-2 the next week with Bassett again getting a hattrick. The Players regained confidence
and nobody was talking about new signings or a change of manager. Bassett continued his hot form with another 21 goals winning the golden boot for the second season running, and Park cruised to the title with a 3 point advantage at the top again. Park now faced the task of defending the Major cup final
Complacency Rant
Following Glanford Parks 10-4 semi final victory, Manager Adam Wright delivered the now infamous 'complacency rant'. Frustrated at a perceived lack of effort in the dying minutes, Wright exploded after the match and delivered a foul mouthed tirade at the side accusing them of playing lazy football. James Atkinson was the primary target of Wrights rage and was called complacent a number of times.
Park player Ryan Perry publicly made light of the managers rant, pointing out that they had won the game by a clear 6 goals and sarcasticcly labelling other players complacent in his own comedy rant. Many thought this may be the end of Perrys GPFC playing career but his comments seemed to take the tension of the team, Adam Wright then reluctantly apologised to Atkinson and the wider squad and began to see the funny side of the situation, he would later admit the rant was primarily inspired by his personal goal drought.
Atkinson had not forgotten the stinging volley of abuse though and some animosity remained between the captain and his vice for the next few seasons. Overall the incident was quickly forgotten as Atkinson, a popular figure in the dressing room, made light of the situation and the team was soon focussed on the approaching cup final. McIntyre, alweays the joker used the 'complaceny rant' to galvanise the players in the week leading up to the final.
Cup Final
Glanford Park successfully defended the major cup in a tight game at Old Hutt road. Parks hopes suffered a major blow in the first half when Dan Bassett was forced off injured, after scoring a solo goal, with a Quadrilateral strain. Minutes Later Ryan Perry had to recieve treatment on an eye injury and Park were in dire straits. Duncan McIntyre rose to the occassion and bossed the game, scoring 2 magnificent goals including a stunning 30 yard free kick. Ryan Perry quickly returned to the pitch and park were able to steady at 3-3
Adam Wright scored the go ahead goal from a precision Neil Bailey cross, while James Atkinson eased the nerves with a cooly taken last minute penalty. Atkinson especially delighted as he had missed a penalty in the semi-final. The final whistle blew and once again Park were champions of the league and Major Cup Final.
Dan Bassett was once again the Golden Boot with 21 goals, and Ryan Perry was voted the player of the season.
Winter 2005 season Promotion to Division 2
Bassett Loan Deal
With such success the Prolific Daniel Bassett was in hot demand. While Park managed to avoid selling the player outright, they could not stop him from joining Lower Hutt city on a loan deal. Bassett would play no part in the coming season and Wright warned people not to expect the same success without him.
Season Proper
Newly promoted Glanford Park started the season terribly, losing thier opening 2 games without star playmaker Ryan Perry. Perrys return in round 3 saw a 6-1 victory but immediately after, Park were on the wrong end of a 6-0 thrashing. The game was the first time Park had failed to score in 2 seasons. Park manged to win just 2 more
games all season and dound the going exceptionally tough in the new division without their goal scoring forward Bassett. They were eliminated from the Major cup on league position and lost out of the Minor Cup at the semi final stage losing 2-1. A trophyless season was not what anyone wanted but some bright points had emerged. Duncan McIntyre won the golden boot competition with 14 goals while the player of the season was split between Neil Bailey and James Atkinson. The problems were put soley down to goalscoring with the team
notching just 27 goals all up. A massive drop from the previous 80 and 62 of the past 2 campaigns. A decision was made to bring Bassett back from his loan to Lower Hutt and let him leave on a free transfer the following season. Duncan McIntyre had said at the start of the season "In sport, when you have an extended period of success, it is normally followed by a slightly longer lean period". His words proved to be prophetic.
Spring 2005 - Fractured Dressing Room
Ins and Outs
After relegation the club regrouped and bought Dan Bassett back from his loan with Lower Hutt AFC. They further stregnthened with the signing of combatitive midfielder Matthew Gallen. Gallen was bought in as 'a midfield hard man'. A Quote from the GPT that pre season.
Season Proper

The campaign was regarded as a failure by many. Most had huge expectations from the returning Bassett but Injury limited the striker to just 5 appearances and only 3 goals. Relationships on the pitch seemed to deteriorate further too, Atkinson grew increasingly unhappy with the role he was asked to play as a defensive midfielder. Atkinson and Wright traded sniping quotes through the GPT that season as Park slummped to just 1 win in theier first 6 games. For many this spelled the end of the high expectations and the mood around the club was obviously suffering.
Duncan McIntyre was again Parks most consistent goal scorer and his brace in round 8 saw him reach a landmark 50 goals for the club. The second man to do so after Dan Bassett. Finally the club picked up some steam in the second half of the season and won their last 6 games to reach the Minor final. Despite an improved performance on the pitch, the team spirit that had driven previous success was tellingly absent. It was reported in the GPT that the dressing room was divided. Dan Bassett and Duncan McIntyre on one side with the rest of the squad on the other. Tensions reached boiling point on 2 occassions during the season, both on pitch incidents involved Dan Bassett. A controversial refereeing call in the final led Dan Bassett to debate the call with the referee, he abandoned playing the game temporarily to dispute the decision not to award a foul. Ryan Perry erupted at the seemingly lack of professionalism and blasted Bassett before the situation calmed down as Bassett rejoined the match. the second incident occured after sloppy GPFC defending led to a goal conceded. James Atkinson was in a defensive position and questioned his team mates as to what happened. He then alleged that Bassett turned to him and said "You F**cked up and they scored". The controversey over the incident would not die and captain Adam Wright refused to be drawn into the debate. The Glanford Park times carried a balanced article that presented both sides of the story, including Bassets claim that he said "We F**cked up and they scored". The pair never settled the argument.
Minor Cup Final
Even though the there was disharmony in the dressing room, Glanford Park did manage to win a trophy this season. The Final was a low scoring affair, James Atkinson drew Park level with a brilliant strike on half time to make it 1-1. Duncan McIntyre scored the winner in the last minute of regular time after Atkinson was sent off for dissent. Nobody knew it but it was to be McIntyre's last game for the ojays.
Summer 2006 - McIntyre Shock departure
Duncan McIntyre AWOL
In December 2005 Duncan McIntyre notified the club he was taking his off season break in europe and may return 3 weeks later than the start of the season. When McIntyre returned to New Zealand he missed the scheduled Glanford Park Legends game through an ankle Injury. Despite repeated attempts to agree a return date with McIntyre, contact became strained and eventually broke down altogether. The club eventually learned that McIntyre had signed a contract with Royal Brussels Cricket Club .Fans were devestated as McIntyre was a cult favourite at Old Hutt Road, nicknamed "Patrick Kluivert" both for his supposed resemblence and his prolific scoring record. The number 9 left under a cloud but a Glanford Park Times issue following his shock departure carried a glowing article full of praise for the Fan Favourite.
Season Proper
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Autumn 2006
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Winter 2006
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Spring 2006
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Summer 2007
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Autumn 2007
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Winter 2007
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Spring 2007
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Summer 2008
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Autumn 2008
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Winter 2008
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Spring 2008
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Summer 2009
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Autumn 2009
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Winter 2009
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Statistics and Records
Individual Awards
coming soon
Team Statistics
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Glanford Park Times
coming soon
GPFC Legends games
Glanford Park vs GPFC Legends 99-06
coming soon
Glanford Park vs Atkinson Invitational
coming soon
Hall of Fame
coming soon
Team of the last 10 years
Notable former players
* Diego
* Tawanda Mathetha
* Ivan Shimates
* James Atknson
* Scott Anderson
* Fraser Leith
* Shaun howes
* Ryan Perry
* Daniel Bassett
* Marc Colliss
Players
Current squad
:As of 19 June 2009.
Out on loan

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See Also

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