Women’s match revives memories of one of football’s great volunteers

One of Auckland football’s greatest volunteers has been remembered through an end-of-season friendly match between two rival women’s teams.

The Maureen Burnside Memorial Trophy was won by Bay Olympic’s Royals who shaded the Mt Albert Shenanigans team, winning 1-0.

The late September match and trophy help keep alive memories of Maureen Burnside, long considered to be the ‘mother’ of Mt Albert Ponsonby after serving in various volunteer roles for 46 years, till her death in 2018.

She, her husband Wally and son Tony were all made Life Members of MAP, and she was also recognised by Auckland Football for her long service to the sport.

Main photo: Maureen Burnside … a classic car fan, as well as a football supporter.

Bay Olympic and Mt Albert played for the memorial trophy, enjoying a close game in which the Royals saved a penalty and then grabbed a winner.