Club History

The Club was formed in 1972 by a group of six enthusiasts. By 1986 the Club typically entered 8 to 10 teams in the Canterbury Junior Football Assn Competitions, compared to the 37 teams we now have plus about 100 children in the beginners group.

Prior to 1997, the “A” teams in each grade normally played in Section 2 and often would win that section. However, it was rare for the “A” teams to stay in Section 1. This has changed after 1997 and a number of “A” teams have played in Section 1 for extended periods.

The increase in playing numbers and competitiveness has been due mostly to the continued housing development in the area and the introduction of the beginners group in 1990. Developing the football skills at an early age appears to have had flow-on benefits both in terms of playing numbers and competitiveness.

The Club has had the use of one senior pitch at Barnett Park from the outset which has one of the best playing surfaces in Christchurch even after heavy rain. However, the junior pitches at Redcliffs Park and McCormacks Bay ten years ago left a lot to be desired – they were uneven with ponds! The City Council has made dramatic improvements to McCormacks Bay Park over recent years and we are grateful for this work.

Hockey used to have two pitches at Barnett Park but these were used less as more hockey games were played on artificial surfaces at Porritt Park. With the expansion in soccer teams, there was a need for more home grounds and the CCC agreed we could have full use of Barnett Park which now has two senior, two junior and one intermediate pitches. The consolidation at Barnett Park was helped by installing the practice lights in 1996 which have been a great asset.

The Club started out as Bays United AFC but the name was expanded to include Ferrymead to identify with the rapid expanding commercial area and its sponsorship opportunities plus to give a geographical location and avoid the confusion where some thought Bays meant Banks Peninsula Bays and included Akaroa! Bays reached the top in 2002 with the First Team winning the Federation 6 Premier League having won promotion the year before.