This year's ISPS Handa Men's Premiership season marks the end of several eras. 

Ahead of this weekend's Auckland City v Team Wellingon final, the new National League structure means that  teams like Waitakere United, Hawke's Bay United and Canterbury United have made their final bows. 

These sides leave a big legacy in New Zealand football in developing talent in their regions, breeding All Whites and winning silverware. 

Waitakere United's cabinet holds two OFC Champions League trophies, five Championships and five Premierships - that's not to mention a FIFA Club World Cup appearance in 2007. It's a record few New Zealand teams can beat.   

Proudly representing 12 clubs in West Auckland, Waitakere have played out of Kumeu's Fred Taylor Park, Trusts Arena and more recently Seddon Field in Pt Chevalier. 

Roy Krishna appearing for Waitakere United. Credit @photosport

Notable players include current All Whites coach Danny Hay, who finished his playing career with 33 caps for United, and Roy Krishna, who scored 55 goals in his 75 appearances. 

Canterbury United formed in 2002 and finished Premiership runners up in 2006, losing on penalties to Auckland City in the final, and in 2010 when they went down 3-1 to Waitakere United. 

Ben Sigmund was just one of five All Whites in the famous 2010 squad to have pulled on the red and black, while team mate and record scorer Aaron Clapham played for United in three decades on his way to 149 appearances and 69 goals for United. Stalwart Clapham had the honour of being named in the Premiership team of the decade in 2014 despite being very much mid-career. 

Aaron Clapham representing Canterbury United in 2016. Credit @photosport

Hawke's Bay United began life as Napier City Rovers, before changing their name to United a year later to better represent their region. They made the grand final in the 2014-15 season, going down 2-1 to Auckland City, and finished second in the league the year after.   

United have long prioritised youth development and providing opportunities for players from the Bay to progress their careers, with names like Hamish Watson and Jeremy Brockie spending time in black and white early in their careers. The latest to benefit from time in the Bay is 18 year old Jesse Randall who scored several specatular goals this season, before joining North Kentucky University's soccer programme. 

The Akers family also hold the special honour of father / son representation through one-cap All White Martin Akers, who retired in 2006, and his son Jorge who scored six goals in this campaign.  

Jorge is the second generation of the Akers family to play for Hawke's Bay United. Credit @photosport

Other teams to have competed in the Premiership include YoungHeart Manawatu, who finished regular season runners up twice, Waikato FC / WaiBOP United, Southern United and Tasman United, the latter two making their last appearances in the 19/20 ISPS Handa Premiership season. 

Find out more about the new National League competitons structure. 

Derby between Southern United and Tasman United . Credit: @photosport

Article added: Monday 15 March 2021