Welcome to The Centre Circle Football Charity Organisation
The Centre Circle (CC) was founded in 1999 by a group of football people wanting to give back to the “beautiful game” that gave them so much. The organisation is focused on raising funds through social events and grants and utilising those funds to assist those in the Canterbury football community.
Centre Circle thanks Martin Field Dodgson and his team for enabling us to set up our page on the Mainland Football Foundation Website. This allows us to profile our organisation, particularly the clubs that are the heart of football in Canterbury. Our aim is to gain further support for our charity, including for our annual Golf Events and our Quiz Nights.
We are guided by Centre Circle’s constitution and have a particular emphasis on funding assistance for juniors, including individuals, and for aspirational projects. Our programme is called “A Helping Hand”. There is a digital application form on our page for clubs to apply for assistance. Centre Circle’s board puts aside an annual budget for this purpose and considers applications carefully. Other funding opportunities that fit within our principles are also considered. We acknowledge that there are other funding trusts out there such as “Scorching Goal Fund” and Football for All” that are set up to help the clubs.
With the assistance of the Mainland team our page has additional information about us, our fundraising events and provides a membership form.
Finally, as chair of Centre Circle - a big thank you to those businesses, clubs and our CC members who have supported our past events. The board appreciates both the time, goods and funding given in assisting our charity.
Click the links below to download a complete Helping Hand Funding Form and Centre Circle Membership Form.
Born in London 1952
Emigrated to NZ in 1973
Involved with Football in Playing, Administration and Coaching capacity from 1973 to 2004.
Founder member of Centre Circle in 1999
Board Member for 12 years.
Current Occupation: Customer Service Representative
Previous Business Career: Business Manager for Caltex NZ Ltd for 25 years
Favourite Team: Manchester United and soft spot for Millwall
Reason for Joining: Absolutely the right thing to do, given what football has done for me.
Born in Aberdeen came to NZ when I was a wee bairn.
Grew up on the North Shore then varsity in Dunedin doing Phys Ed played for Dunedin City before moving to Christchurch where I joined Western and then Christchurch United then to Rangers AFC.
First game for Canterbury at English Park in 1985 against the All Whites playing up front with Kevin (0 – 0 ), played The All Whites again later in the year this time back in goal for a 1 -1 draw.
Last game for Canterbury against Otago in 2003 and have been involved ever since as goalkeeping coach.
In and out of the All Whites from 1986 – 1996 last game in 1995 v Paraguay (2 – 3 ) at the national stadium in Santiago, Chile.
Married to Helen with Ben, Georgia and Lucy, three wonderfully sporty grown up kids.
Occupation: Taught Phys Ed at Mairehau High School then Sales Rep for Lion Breweries for 16 years before buying into O’Shea’s Public House where I am the publican.
Reason for Joining: I have been on the Centre Circle since it’s reconception, it is great fun with a great bunch of people doing good things to help out our football community.
Born in Dunedin 1967
Played junior football for Dunedin City, senior football for Dunedin Technical AFC, Burnside AFC, Napier City Rovers and currently playing masters for FC TWENTY 11
Have been involved in some capacity as a volunteer, coach, committee member and administrator throughout
Favourite EPL team: Liverpool
Favourite A League team: Wellington Phoenix
Reason for Joining: I am motivated to help more young people engage in football.
Born in Greymouth 1958
Joined the Centre Circle board four years ago after attending an AGM and getting voted on.
Keen Rugby player up until late 20’s and Social basketball for several years.
Occupation: Recently retired. Employed by Todd Energy with several sales and marketing roles over 15 years. 8 years at Rockgas with responsibility of LPG Reticulation installs throughout Christchurch.Started Metropol magazine early 2000’s with two others.
Favourite Team: Manchester United (advice from Bobby)
Reason for Joining: Enjoy the Centre Circle team organising events and functions. Have met some great people in the football community. Even though two of our main fundraisers are golf events, I can’t play the game and haven’t the patience to learn. Think of Happy Gilmore.
My wife and I have two granddaughters who I hope will one day play football. Both are keen. Interests include Motor racing. Attended this year’s Melbourne Formula One, Member of Lotus club. Music and grandkids. Holiday at Kaiteriteri around Christmas time each year. Enjoy cooking on the BBQ.
Born in Bradford UK
Came to NZ in 1985 to play for Christchurch United
Emigrated to NZ 1986
Occupation: Logistics manager
Favourite Team: None in particular but always a soft spot for Bradford City
Reason for Joining: Love football, good cause, and a great way of keeping in touch with football mates.
Born in Fairlie, grew up in Dunedin
Occupation: 28 years in HR management in Christchurch & Auckland
2013-2024 – alcohol licensing committee & Commissioner for Selwyn, Ashburton & Kaikoura. Ministry of Justice advisory group for update of sale/supply alcohol Act 2022-2024
2015-2019 Christchurch District Court Bail team, JP since 1989
Raised with rugby, interest in football began with my 2 sons & their dad at Halswell United
CFA President in 1995-6, put in place board/CEO structure
Life member CFA/Mainland Football
Joined NZ Football board 2013 - headed NZF Womens’ Committee, head of delegation to WWC 2015 in Canada, NZF rep U20 WC games/final in 2015, delegate to FIFA Congress in Mexico City, achieved naming of NZF Womens’ Knockout Cup – as the Kate Sheppard Cup.
Reason for Joining: Learned of Centre Circle through Steve Sumner. Raising funds to benefit junior football particularly is part of my giving back to football.