The life of Brian Stanyer celebrated
AUCKLAND, New Zealand - The life of Mount Albert Ponsonby stalwart the late Brian Stanyer was remembered on a beautiful sunny day at Anderson Park today.
Mount Albert Ponsonby AFC and Central United met to contest the Brian Stanyer Memorial Cup at a sun drenched Anderson Park with a few hundred packed into the clubrooms and a live band playing.
Central United FC took the lead after a Jeremiah Ruawhare free-kick was saved by veteran goalkeeper Robbie Graham only for Louid Danielson to pounce and stab the ball home from close range.
The home side were level just minutes later when Marshall Gurney slammed home a powerful shot that gave the goalkeeper no chance. Jono Viviani - who squandered a good chance in the first half - made up for that miss with a cool finish to give the home side the victory.
Mount Albert Ponsonby President Jason Conquer remembered Brian Stanyer with a touching tribute in his programme notes:
"The Stanyer Cup is a fantastic way to celebrate the life of a man who dedicated his life to football and Mount Albert Ponsonby with passion.
"Anderson Park was definitely his second home. If you knew Stan you definitely knew where you stood with him. I remember when a few of us were younger and we had some long-debated discussions about his beloved Manchester United, especially with us Liverpool supporters, into the wee hours of Thursday night, Friday mornings.
"He loved telling us how good United were, some of us were having none of it, but in the end, Stan always seemed to have the last word," Conquer wrote.
READ MORE BELOW - Brian 'Stan' Stanyer
Obituary - Brian Stanyer
Auckland City FC and Central United FC welcome Mount Albert Ponsonby AFC
Stanyer Memorial Trophy presented
Vale - Maureen Burnside Mount Albert Ponsonby AFC
Brian Stanyer's family also shared their feelings of a day that captured the essence of what Mount Albert Ponsonby meant to him.
"Stan/Dad put his stamp on this club we call Mount Albert Ponsonby, he always called it 'home'.
"He was a passionate man who understood how mmuch work goes into running a club and his passion sometimes got the best of him. I'm sure a lot of the people here today have been in the firing line of one of dad's rants.
"The good thing is no matter how fired up the 'grumpy gnome' got, you always knew it was from a good place.
"This game means so much to our family and is the perfect way to celebrate someone who loved the game and loved this club," their short statement read.
Central United FC coach Kris Bright shared his thoughts.
"Everyone can see how important this day is to both our clubs and to Stan's family and friends.
"I didn't know him personally but it is clear from the great support of these matches just how highly he was regarded and respected at both Anderson Park and Kiwitea Street," Bright said.
Former All White and current Auckland City FC assistant coach Ivan Vicelich described Brian Stanyer as a force for good.
"Without people like Brian Stanyer dedicating so much time and effort to their clubs football cannot grow and flourish.
"Our sport needs more people like Brian Stanyer, he is sorely missed," Vicelich said.
Ends
Match Result
Brian Stanyer Memorial Cup
Saturday 13 March, 2021
Mount Albert Ponsonby 2 (Marshall GURNEY 52', Jono VIVIANI 54')
Central United FC 1 (Louis DANIELSON 50')
HT: 0-0.
MAP (from): Robbie GRAHAM, Ben BILLINGS, Cam SINCLAIR, Charlie VERDON, Cole TINKLER, Eyob ADISU, Federico BONO, Jono VIVIANI, Lewis BLACK, Marshall GURNEY, Mose D'ARSEI, Nick HINDSON, Reece DAY, Scott WALLACE, Sean CHAMBERLAIN, Stu GILLETT, Tim SUDMANN, Shoaib SHEIK.
COACH: Alan HINDSON.
CU: 1. Finn DOCKERTY, 2. Anthony DUNCAN, 3. Louis DANIELSON, 4. Lestyn CATTROLL, 5. Jesse GAGE, 6. Brooklyn HEATH, 7. Matt ELLIS, 8. Ilham HAMEEDI, 9. Finn McCRACKEN, 10. Addison STEWART, 11. Jeremiah RUAWHARE, 12. Kristoff MULLER, 13. Alex SMITH, 15. Conan REDDY, 16, Jonny EVANS, 18. Deandre VOLLENHOVEN, 19. Ethan KUCIJA, 23. Anthony MOODIE, 24. Hayden COOPER.
COACH: Kris BRIGHT.
BRIAN STANYER MEMORIAL CUP
2021 - Mount Albert Ponsonby
2020 - Mount Albert Ponsonby
2019 - Central United FC
2018 - Mount Albert Ponsonby
2017 - Central United FC
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Table
| Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | AC | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 3 | 15 |
| 2 |  | WS | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 3 | 12 |
| 3 |  | BU | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 5 | 9 |
| 4 |  | BO | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 6 | 9 |
| 5 |  | MN | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 5 | 7 |
| 6 |  | AU | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 5 | 6 |
| 7 |  | ES | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 6 |
| 8 |  | TC | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 11 | 3 |
| 9 |  | MU | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 3 |
| 10 |  | WR | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 2 |
| 11 |  | HW | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 12 | 1 |
| 12 |  | EB | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 10 | 0 |
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