Congratulations to Matt Tod-Smith, Hagley College teacher aide and victorious captain of the Christchurch United Men’s football team – recent winners of The Southern League (top grade for whole South Island).

The competition came down to the last game before which United was level on points with Cashmere Tec, but second due to a minus 5 goal differential. They swung that around with a huge win and won the competition, on the same points as Tec, but now with a plus 3 goal differential.

As a result, Matt will be playing in the National League Championship starting in October.

Matt is second on the right in the front row in the photo above, holding the cup with coach Paul Ifill – FA Cup finalist against Manchester United.