Football Legend Arthur Inglis Visits Capital Football

90-year-old New Zealand international shares stories from pioneering era of the game

Capital Football was honoured to welcome legendary footballer Arthur Inglis to our offices this week, as the 90-year-old shared fascinating insights from his distinguished playing career and the early days of New Zealand football.

Arthur Inglis was a New Zealand footballer who played as a forward and represented the All Whites at international level during the early 1960s. He made 17 appearances for New Zealand between 1961 and 1964, scoring two goals.

In domestic football, Inglis enjoyed a stellar club career, playing for Northern, Diamond, Wellington United (1968–1970), and Upper Hutt United (1970–1977). He achieved significant success with Northern, helping the club win three titles in 1959, 1961 and 1962.

Inglis holds a special place in New Zealand's football history as one of the players who participated in the first televised football match in the country. On 20 April 1963, he played for Northern against Waterside at the iconic Basin Reserve in what would mark a pivotal moment in history, now showcased in our office stairway (pictured).

Arthur was also a regular participant in the prestigious Hilton Petone tournament and winning the competition multiple times with different clubs, including Northern (1962), Diamond (1967) and Wellington United (1968).

Following his retirement from football, Inglis became a successful lawn bowler, winning numerous titles in the sport. Football continued in the family, with his daughter Julie representing both New Zealand (18 international appearances) and Wellington (50 games, three goals). She now resides in Auckland.

Capital Football extends our heartfelt thanks to Arthur Inglis for taking the time to visit us. His contribution to New Zealand football, both as a player and as a custodian of the game's rich history, embodies the values of integrity and community connection that remain central to football today.

Article added: Wednesday 11 February 2026