The Hawke's Bay United Courier
Squad31 Aug 2026
A knee injury of the worst kind for Callum Reid
36 days on the estimate, and a long, private, unglamorous year of a rehabilitation nobody watches. Hawke's Bay United lose a footballer; he loses considerably more than a season.
Market31 Aug 2026
David O'Neill 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.
Squad31 Aug 2026
A falling-out at Hawke's Bay United
Kosta Sutton and a teammate went at it, and not about football. Training grounds are small places and a long season makes them smaller.
Transfer targets31 Aug 2026
Hawke's Bay United rebuffed over Sam Kirwan
Not now, not at any price the club was prepared to say out loud. Canterbury United have kept their man, and Hawke's Bay United go back to a list with one name crossed off it.
Squad31 Aug 2026
James Smith stays put
“The easiest signature of my career.” James Smith and Hawke's Bay United agree another 3 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
The dugout31 Aug 2026
James Smith knocks on the manager's door
“It had gone on long enough. I would rather have it out than leave it sitting there.” Ten minutes behind a closed door at Hawke's Bay United, and both men came out saying it was fine.
In brief
- Squad Questions about Michael De Vries on the training pitch
- Market Callum Payne goes looking for football
- Market Alex Sutton goes looking for football
- The dugout Dane Sutton keeps his manager's vote