The Hawke's Bay United Courier
The terraces1 Mar 2027
Anger at Hawke's Bay United spills outside the ground
It has stopped being a mood in the stands and started being something organised. Boards can ignore a bad atmosphere for a long time; they cannot ignore this stage of it for very long at all.
Boardroom1 Mar 2027
The scrutiny sharpens at Hawke's Bay United
Nobody upstairs has said anything, which is the loudest thing they could do. Results buy silence in this game; the account at Hawke's Bay United is running low.
Market1 Mar 2027
Bill McCowatt asks to leave Hawke's Bay United
“I have given everything here and I need a new challenge.” The request is formal, and the relationship will never be quite the same again.
Squad1 Mar 2027
Tempers go at Hawke's Bay United
Bill McCowatt was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
The dugout1 Mar 2027
No hiding place for Joe Boxall
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Joe Boxall, and the manager let it.
The dugout1 Mar 2027
The manager's exit leaves Francis Kirwan exposed
Every squad has men who were signed by a particular manager and men who were merely inherited. Francis Kirwan is in the first group, and the man who wanted him here is no longer in the building.
The dugout1 Mar 2027
Stefan Singh asks for a word with the manager
“I would rather say it to his face than read about it.” The meeting was requested by the player, which tells you most of what you need to know.
Squad1 Mar 2027
Bill Reid is not saying it is over
“Ask me in the summer. I will know before anybody else does.” He is 32 with 5 appearances behind him, and Hawke's Bay United have to plan for both answers.
Market1 Mar 2027
Stefan Singh placed on the list
Hawke's Bay United have made Stefan Singh available for transfer. A career at this club is over in all but paperwork.
In brief
- Boardroom Hawke's Bay United answer back
- Squad Sam Payne is put on a programme of his own
- The dugout The manager plants his flag on Chris Cacace