OUR HISTORY
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Our History

Papakura City Football Club has grown from humble beginnings in 1959 into one of South Auckland’s proud football institutions.

The club was founded in 1959 by Fred Edwards, George Sheppard and Peter Simmonds under the name Papakura Town A.F.C. The original club colours were yellow and black — colours that are still worn today as our away strip.

McLennan Park was identified early as the club’s future home ground, however it was not available for use in the first year. In the meantime, the club approached Papakura Army Camp to use their fields. Those same Army Camp grounds remain an important part of our club today, hosting junior and youth games.

In 1964, the club changed its name to Papakura A.F.C., introducing the blue and white colours that remain central to our identity.

When Papakura was granted city status in 1975, the club became Papakura City A.F.C. At this time, the club secured a long-term lease of the lower ground at McLennan Park, which continues to serve as our Number One pitch for senior fixtures.

The early 1980s marked a major milestone in the club’s development. In 1982, stage one (the lower section) of the clubrooms was completed through the dedication and hard work of members and volunteers. Seven years later, in 1989, stage two (the upper section) was completed, creating one of the finest football club facilities in greater Auckland — a reputation we proudly maintain today.

On the field, the club has also enjoyed significant historic success, including:

  • 2004 – Men’s Northern League 1st Division Champions

  • 2005 – Bluebird Chatham Cup Quarter-Finalists

From its grassroots origins to today’s thriving community club, Papakura City FC continues to build on a proud legacy while developing the next generation of footballers.

Growth and Achievement

In 2004, the Men’s team were crowned Northern League 1st Division Champions.In 2005, the club reached the Bluebird Chatham Cup Quarter-Finals.

In 2006, the club officially adopted the name Papakura City Football Club, reflecting its growth and expanding membership, which had reached over 700 players.

The club continued to invest in player development, establishing the Papakura City Football Academy in 2009, focused on nurturing talented youth in the Papakura community.

Further success followed:

  • 2013 – Winners of the Counties Manukau Knockout Cup and AFF Conference Champions

  • 2015 – Both the First Men’s Team and Reserves won their respective NRFL Division 2 competitions, earning promotion to the highly competitive First Division

The club set its sights on future ambitions, including promotion to the NRFL Premier Division and the potential to host National League fixtures. During this period, the Women’s team remained highly competitive in the AFF Conference Division, with many players progressing through the club’s own youth ranks.

Our Under 19 team also claimed their Auckland Metro Division title — a testament to the strength of our development pathway and dedicated coaching group.

In 2019, Papakura City FC proudly celebrated 60 years of football.

The 2020 and 2021 seasons were heavily disrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic, limiting competition play. Despite these challenges, the club’s resilience and community spirit remained strong.

2022 – 2025: Rebuilding 

Following the disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, 2022 marked the start of a rebuilding era for Papakura City Football Club. The focus shifted toward sustainable growth, strengthening player development pathways, and enhancing community engagement across all levels.

Key priorities during these years included:

  • Expanding participation in girls’ football, from junior teams to youth and senior levels, ensuring clear pathways for female players.

  • Junior and Development Programmes, including Kura Kicks and Junior & Youth Development programmes, to nurture talent and promote skill development.

  • Club infrastructure and community focus, improving facilities, equipment, and the match-day experience for players, families, and supporters.

  • Strategic growth and planning, with an emphasis on long-term success, including aiming for higher league competition, strong youth development, and building a sustainable club culture.

Papakura City FC has emerged stronger with a thriving diverse player base, a focus on community while offering strong development programmes, and a clear vision for the future — continuing our proud legacy while developing the next generation of footballers.


Looking Forward

Today, Papakura City Football Club continues to grow as a vibrant, inclusive community club. In recent years we have seen strong growth in girls’ and women’s football, with increasing participation across junior, youth and senior levels. We are committed to creating clear development pathways for all players — from first kicks in Kura programmes through to competitive senior football.

With over six decades of history behind us, our focus remains firmly on the future: developing players, supporting families, empowering girls in football, and strengthening our role at the heart of the Papakura community.