Tributes paid to Bill MacGowan

Words: Media

Sunday 6 May 2018

AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC is sad to hear the news that former NZF, AFF, Warriors and New Zealand Golf CEO, Bill MacGowan, has passed away at the age of 66.

MacGowan, a former Chief Executive of New Zealand Football and more recently of the Auckland Football Federation, forged a career where he was respected as one of New Zealand’s most experienced and versatile administrators.

MacGowan was also the CEO of the Auckland Warriors and New Zealand Golf in a career that covered many sports in New Zealand and he leaves a lasting legacy in football.

His last position is sports administration was as Chief Executive of the Auckland Football Federation, a position he left last July due to illness.

Auckland City FC chairman, Ivan Vuksich, said many people involved with sport in New Zealand are today feeling the loss of the highly regarded MacGowan.

“There has been an outpouring of emotion and respect from clubs, players, and fans following Bill's passing,” said Vuksich. “That underlines the esteem in which Bill was and will always be held.”

“Our thoughts go out to those closest to Bill – Trish, their family and friends,” concluded Vuksich.

MacGowan arrived in New Zealand from Scotland as a seven-year-old in the 1950s. He played football at junior level for East Coast Bays before playing for Blockhouse Bay in the national league. He went on to coach a number of clubs, twice being named Auckland’s coach of the year.

After success in business - he spent some years as managing director of P&O New Zealand (services) - he began his first stint with the national soccer association.

Following his term there he ran the successful FIFA U-17 World Championship in 1999 in New Zealand before becoming New Zealand Football CEO again.

MacGowan subsequently changed sports to take up a role as New Zealand Golf Chief Executive and his most recent role was with the Auckland Football Federation.