Excitement is brewing for Dunedin Technical supporters with their club less than 24 hours away from a historic first ever Kate Sheppard Cup final against Forrest Hill Milford United.

With Sunday’s final being played at QBE Stadium on Auckland’s North Shore, and given Technical’s semi-final win over Wellington United was only two weeks ago, it was always going to be challenging and expensive for supporters wanting to cheer their team on from the stands.

Yet that hasn’t stopped a small but passionate band of club members travelling up to Auckland for the weekend.

Shane Matthews is one of the supporters making the long journey to attend the cup final. Being there is simply a rite of passage for the 40 year club stalwart.

“I’ve definitely got maroon in the blood”, Shane said laughing a couple of days out from the final.

“I started with the club when I was seven years old, and have played all the grades; junior, senior, and now over 45 Masters. I’ve got nieces and a nephew playing football on Saturday mornings so I love getting down and watching them play too.”

Like so many unsung heroes of club football across the country, Shane does a lot to help the club off the park too.

“I’ve done coaching, and I’ve been on the committee a few times. I’ve been through the good times and the bad. This year I became vice president of the club. In 2020 we’ve got our 100th year so it’s all happening at the club, ” he said.

Shane has attended Chatham Cup finals for the club’s men’s team in the past, and has followed the progression of this women’s team with great interest in recent years.

“The team has been built by Graeme Smaill around a few players, and then over the last few years, the team just keeps building from year to year and it’s become an amazing squad. Dunedin is a varsity town so you always get some players that come and go but there’s always a few that come and stay and fall in love with the club.”

Given his love of the club, there’s no surprise in Shane’s prediction for the final.

“I think it will be pretty close in the first half, there might be just one goal in it. But i think the final score will be 4-3 - to Dunedin Tech of course.”

“I know with these girls, that even if they go a goal or two down, they can still score goals themselves. They create so many opportunities.”

“This team are all class. Come sunday, around 2pm, hopefully it will be the pinnacle of most of their careers”.

Along with at least a couple of groups of supporters flying up, there’s been a call-to-action for any club expats living up north to fish out their Tech shirts and get along to the final.

Shane knows that while his club will be outnumbered by fans from their North Shore based opponents Forrest Hill Milford United, the Tech fans will certainly make their voices heard.

“I can promise the noise will be outstanding. I won’t have a voice by the end of the match!”.

Shane and his travelling group will have to race to Auckland Airport after the match ends to catch their evening flight back to Dunedin, but the weekend is likely to continue at their Culling Park clubrooms - particularly if his side is victorious.

“I’m sure the clubrooms will be open, and hopefully the champagne will be flowing”.

For supporters unable to get up to Auckland for the match, the Kate Sheppard Cup final will be televised live on Sky Sport 3 from noon tomorrow.

Image: Photo by Michael Welsh.

Inset: Shane Matthews

Story by Morgan Jarvis

Kate Sheppard Cup Final 2018

12pm, Sunday 9th September

Dunedin Technical vs Forrest Hill Milford United

QBE Stadium, Auckland

LIVE on Sky Sport 3.

Article added: Saturday 08 September 2018