A legend of New Zealand Football will be recognised and ensconced into the legacy of the national league this weekend at the ISPS Handa Premiership Final.

For the first time, the Steve Sumner Trophy will be awarded to the Player of the Final as Auckland City and Team Wellington meet in the Grand Final for the third year in a row at QBE Stadium.       

Sumner, who is famous for being the first All Whites captain to take New Zealand to the FIFA World Cup in 1982, won the national league five times (and a record six Chatham Cups) during his illustrious career at Christchurch United. He passed away last year at the age of 61 from prostate cancer. 

Daniel Farrow, the Competitions and Events Director at New Zealand Football, said Steve Sumner’s name is synonymous with excellence in football.

“With the success Steve had in the national league, it is only fitting that his legend lives on in the ISPS Handa Premiership,” said Farrow. “Steve is well-known for being one of the greats of New Zealand Football, he achieved everything in the game during his career, so it is a huge honour to have his name aligned with the Player of the Final award. I am sure this is something that all players in our national league would love to win starting with the final this Sunday in Auckland.”

The English-born Sumner was one of the most influential figures in New Zealand football.  He was the first Oceania player to score a World Cup finals goal, netting in the 5-2 loss to Scotland.

In 1991, Sumner’s feats for the All Whites were recognised when he was inducted into the New Zealand Soccer Media Association’s Hall of Fame.

He received FIFA’s highest honour - the Order of Merit award - in 2010 for services to football, on the back of the FIFA centennial merit award in 2004.

Sumner was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2016 for services to football.

Now his name will forever be linked with the National League. The Player of the Final award will be known as the Steve Sumner Trophy.      

ISPS Handa Premiership Final
When: Sunday 1 April, 2018, kick off 4.35pm, live on SKY Sport
Where: QBE Stadium, Albany, Auckland
Who: Auckland City v Team Wellington
Updates on Twitter @NZ_Football #ISPSHandaPrem #ACvTW