Memory Lane Monday

The year is 1978, the year that all the awesome people are born in, and the year that John Travolta & Olivia Newton-John were hitting the airwaves with “You’re the One That I Want”. This was also the year that the Upper Valley Wanderers were officially registered as a club, marking a new chapter in local women’s football. This move came about a year after the Tararua United senior men’s team had been formed. The Wanderers’ women were especially keen to create a place of their own, and they went halves with Tararua United to build new clubrooms at Harcourt Park.

The split from Upper Hutt United had been brewing for a while, but when the club said that Bob Houghton could not coach the Upper Hutt Ladies Soccer team, it became final. Bob was already connected with Tararua United, and that allegiance made him off-limits to Upper Hutt United. For the women, this was unacceptable. They believed in Bob’s vision and his coaching, and if Upper Hutt United wouldn’t allow him to guide them, they would forge their own path. And so, the Upper Valley Wanderers were born on determination and the desire for independence.

Meanwhile, Tararua United continued to grow rapidly, attracting more members and soon finding themselves in need of larger clubrooms. Financially, the Upper Valley Wanderers couldn’t keep pace. After discussions with Chris Waite, the chairperson of the Wanderers, a decision was made to amalgamate and become part of Tararua United.

Together, they laid the foundation, both literally and figuratively, for their future. At Harcourt Park, side-by-side with Tararua United, the Upper Valley Wanderers helped create the clubrooms that would become the centre of their football community.

This is Bob and Doreen Houghton holding a photo of the inaugural Upper Hutt United women’s team and a later team photo of the Upper Valley Wanderers.

~Jane

Source: Jane @ Upper Hutt City Football

14/10/24