In a last round twist Peggy Gordons New Plymouth Rangers have been crowned League Champions in the Lotto Central Federation League 2020.

It had been GJ Gardner Homes Whanganui Athletic leading the way for the majority of the competition. After the nil all draw with Rangers the week prior, Athletic were two points ahead going into their final game at home to PN Marist. Rangers had the unenviable task of travelling to Hawke’s Bay to face Havelock North Wanderers.

“We were obviously disappointed with the Whanganui result, so… it meant that we had to win our last game.  The Team knew they had to do a job and the job was to win our last game.”

For New Plymouth Rangers, it was a simple equation, they had to win and put their hopes in PN Marist beating Athletic to hand them their second loss of the season and Rangers the title.

Coming up against Havelock North Wanderers was always going to be a tough challenge away from home but the visitors put in a strong display taking the game 4-2.

Results fell their way with PN Marist clinching a 2-0 victory over Whanganui Athletic handing over the title to New Plymouth Rangers.

In his first year as Head Coach Manuel Luque had two key goals the 2020 season and successfully achieved both. 

“Our first goal was to finish higher than the previous year and secondly to bring in a culture that made the players feel like a family unit, to look after each other and trust your colleagues next to you on the field.”

Luque credits the great team culture one of the real successes of the season.

“One of the most satisfying moments of the season for me personally was seeing how my players grew in confidence and that the culture I wanted to bring in actually came in and that proved itself right to the end!”.

“I feel very humbled that New Plymouth Rangers AFC trusted me to do a job.”

Once again Congratulations to Manuel, the team and New Plymouth Rangers on being crowned Lotto Central Federation League Champions for 2020.

On behalf of Central Football we wish New Plymouth Rangers all the best for the upcoming Central League play-offs which take place on the weekends of 10/11 and 17/18 October 2020.

Article added: Monday 05 October 2020