4 Fox Memorial Premiership victories (1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963)
3 Roope Roosters victories (1961, 1962 and 1963)
3 Stormont Shield victories (1960, 1961 and 1963)
Auckland club teams
Mt Albert (1954)
City-Newton (1956-1957 returned 1964)
Eastern United (1958-1963)
Auckland representative record
Auckland (1954-1964)
Victories over touring sides France (1960), Australia (1961) and Great Britain (1962)
Ron Ackland
Ron Ackland will go down as one of the most-dedicated figures in the Auckland game, serving as both a player and coach for well over 20 years.
A well-built centre or second-rower, Ackland was renowned for having huge hands which gave him tremendous ball-handling and passing skills. He was also a noted cover defender.
Ackland had to wait until the back end of his career to taste major success on the local scene, and in the last four seasons of his career he captained his way to four Fox Memorial titles, three Roope Roosters and three Stormont Shields with Eastern United.
Talk about going out with a bang.
A star for three different Auckland clubs – Mt Albert, City-Newton and Eastern United – Ackland also spent time in Australia as a captain/coach at Goulburn and Inverell.
Ackland debuted for the Auckland representative side in 1954, scoring three tries in a 35-15 defeat of Canterbury, playing alongside famous local names like Bill Sorenson, Des White and Cyril Eastlake.
