The Canterbury United Gazette
Market4 Jan 2027
Chris Payne puts it in writing
“This is not anger. I have thought about it for months, and nothing that has happened lately changed my mind.” The request is on a desk at Canterbury United, and it is not being withdrawn.
Squad4 Jan 2027
Jai Rufer in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Canterbury United this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Squad4 Jan 2027
A row about effort at Canterbury United
Somebody said out loud what several people thought about how hard another man trains, and Michael McCowatt was in the middle of it. The one dressing-room argument that is genuinely about football.
Loan watch4 Jan 2027
Bill Lockyer wants to come home
“I did not go to Team Wellington to sit and watch. I want to come back to Canterbury United and fight for my place.” 3 appearances in 21 matches say the rest.
Market4 Jan 2027
No place for Michael McCowatt in the plan
“The manager did not use many words, and he did not need to.” Michael McCowatt has his answer from Canterbury United; what he does with it is the next window’s story.
Match2 Jan 2027
Team Wellington take the points off Canterbury United
Beaten 0‑1, and beaten fairly. The manager kept his words short afterwards, which was probably wise.
The dugout4 Jan 2027
The manager’s verdict
“That is on me. I pick the team and I picked wrong.” Managers say that when they mean it and when they need to be seen to, and after 0‑1 Francis Just left the room before anybody could ask which.
Squad4 Jan 2027
A step back for Monty Lockyer at Canterbury United
Somebody has moved past him. It is not a dropping and it is worse than one, because a dropping is about a Saturday and this is about where he stands.
Squad4 Jan 2027
Michael Kirwan makes the team of the month
Four or five weekends of consistency, measured against everybody else in the division. A quieter compliment than an award and a more reliable one.
In brief
- Looking ahead Canterbury United take on the side everybody is chasing
- The dugout Sam Nelson asks for a word with the manager
- The dugout Marco Waine gets it from the manager