Takapuna City Association Football Club Inc – A Concise History

Founding and Early Growth (1963–1969)

  • In 1963, Don and Joan Quinnell, backed by supporters, proposed and successfully registered the formation of Takapuna City AFC with the Auckland Football Association, set to launch in 1964. Takapuna City Council offered the club a home at Onewa Domain with a pitch and practice space.
  • The inaugural season featured nine junior teams and three midget teams, along with 56 adult non-playing members contributing to startup costs.
  • Early recognition came swiftly: Don and Joan Quinnell, along with Frank Bell, were honoured as Life Members at the 1969 AGM for their instrumental founding efforts.

The club’s founding members Joan Quinnell and Don Quinnell (front row 2nd  and 4th  from left)

Rise Through the Ranks (1970–1971)

  • By the early 1970s, the club expanded to include multiple senior sides, thirteen junior teams, and two midget teams. Under coach Don Jones, they secured promotion by winning the Auckland First Division by a dominant ten-point margin.

National Exposure and Cup Runs (1980s–1990s)

  • Takapuna entered the New Zealand National Soccer League in 1981, though the stay was brief, ending in relegation after one season.
  • The club's best Chatham Cup achievements came in 1980 and again in 1999, reaching the semi-finals on both occasions.

Recent Competition and League Status

  • In 2022, Takapuna earned promotion back into the Northern League and surprised many by defeating Eastern Suburbs 1–0 on the season’s opening day. 
  • However, the following season (2023) was tough—Takapuna was relegated from the Northern League on goal difference, despite finishing level on points.
  • As of 2024, the club competes in the NRFL Championship, where they ended the season in 10th place out of 12.

Home, Identity & Community

  • Home ground: Taharoto Park, Takapuna. Nicknamed “Taka,” the club is celebrated for its family-oriented culture, serving members from “first kicks” juniors to senior teams.
  • The club’s original identity, Takapuna City AFC, reflected its affiliation with the local city. However, after Auckland's amalgamation into the Super City, "City" was gradually dropped, simplifying the name to Takapuna AFC. Friends of Football
  • In 2023, the club began refreshing its long-standing logo, preserving historical elements while modernizing its visual appeal—striking a balance between tradition and contemporary branding. Friends of Football