English Park

Tucked away on Cranford Street, English Park is the home of football in Christchurch.

Its story begins around 1915, when Robert English, a gasworks engineer and passionate football advocate, acquired the land for the Canterbury Football Association. English wasn’t just a benefactor, he was deeply involved in the game, serving as President of the association from 1911 to 1928. His vision helped give football in Canterbury a permanent home at a time when the sport was still finding its feet in New Zealand.

In its early decades, the park was a true multi-purpose space. During the 1920s, it echoed not only with the calls of footballers but also with the buzz of cycle racing and the roar of motorcycle speedway meetings. Like many community grounds of the era, it adapted to whatever the city needed.

Today, a century on from its beginnings, the park serves as the headquarters of Mainland Football and the home ground of Canterbury United, who compete in the National Premiership.

Robert English’s influence is still felt every season. His name lives on through the English Cup, contested by Canterbury clubs since 1913, a lasting tribute to a man who believed deeply in the power of local sport.

English Park may not shout its history, but for those who know it, this modest ground tells a rich story of dedication, community, and a game that has brought people together in Christchurch for more than a century.