Vaughan Coveny (born 13 December 1971) is a retired professional football player from New Zealand. Coveny's senior club career spanned 20 years, mostly in Australia, with his most notable stint being at South Melbourne during their National Soccer League era. He was primarily a striker although he also played as a winger. After retiring from playing, he pursued a coaching career. He was recently the head coach of the Western United under 21's side.
Club career Coveny began his NSL career at the Melbourne Knights, then moved to Wollongong City.
South Melbourne FC The majority of Coveny's career was spent at South Melbourne in the NSL, and later on, Victorian Premier League.
Coveny, affectionately known by fans as Horsey due to his speed, primarily played as a striker for South Melbourne. Coveny would dominate the NSL with his pace and would capture two NSL Championships under Ange Postecoglou in 1997–98 and 1998–99. Additionally, his goalscoring form in the OFC Championship in 1999 fired South to claim the title as Oceania's best and qualify them for the 2000 FIFA Club World Cup. Here, Coveny would put in respectable performances including hitting the post twice against the treble winning Manchester United squad.
Following the disbanding of the back-to back winning squad, Coveny would stay at South and lead the new era in the new century. Coveny would once again reach a grand final for South in 2001 but ultimately lose.
The disbanding of the NSL was a premature end to Coveny's first stint as South.
Coveny would return to Lakeside in 2009 helping South to capture the Hellenic cup. On Anzac Day 2009 Coveny scored his 100th goal for South Melbourne FC away at John Ilhan Memorial Reserve against Hume City FC causing a pitch invasion from the Hellas supporters. He retired at the end of the 2009 season becoming only the third player to score over 100 goals for South.
Overall, Coveny made 265 league appearances for Hellas scoring 104 goals.
Later career He also spent some time in the A-League following the collapse of the NSL, playing for the Newcastle Jets and Wellington Phoenix.
International career Coveny made his full New Zealand debut in a 0–0 draw with Fiji on 19 September 1992. He was included in the New Zealand side for both the 1999 FIFA Confederations Cup finals tournament, and the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup finals tournament. He ended his international playing career with 64 A-international caps to his credit, his final cap gained in a 1–1 draw with Estonia on 31 May 2006.
Coveny became New Zealand's highest goal scorer on 27 May 2006, when he scored twice in the "All Whites" 3–1 victory over Georgia, bringing his total A-international goal tally to 29. and his total including unofficial games to 30 in 71 games, surpassing Jock Newall's long standing record of 28 from only 17 games. Coveny record was officially overtaken by Chris Wood on 21 March 2022 when Wood scored his 30th goal. In January 2009, Coveny announced his retirement from international football. He was also the games record holder for the All Whites, until Ivan Vicelich passed him in 2009. He is currently ranked third in appearances for the All Whites, behind Simon Elliott and Vicelich.
Managerial career After retiring, Coveny was announced as South Melbourne's manager for the Victorian Premier League 2010 season. After the team failed to make the finals, his contract was not renewed.
Career statistics Club ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsWaterside Karori1990National Soccer League174—174Melbourne Knights1992–93National Soccer League23411—2451993–945000—50Total2841100325Wollongong City1993–94National Soccer League14300—1994–95241221—1995–96241200—Total422721004428South Melbourne1996–97National Soccer League26920—1997–98246——1998–99297——1999–20003114—522000–01328——2001–02169——2002–032111——2003–042412——Total20376205221078Essendon Royals2004Victorian Premier League51——51South Melbourne2005Victorian Premier League——2006——TotalNewcastle Jets (loan)2005–06A-League84—20104Newcastle Jets2006–07A-League183—32215Wellington Phoenix2007–08A-League171——1712008–0990——90Total2610000261South Melbourne2009Victorian Premier League144——144Career total
Inrernational + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsNew Zealand1992301993401994001995811996401997851998641999101200000200159200210200351200456200510200642Total6429
Scores and results list New Zealand’s goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Coveny goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Vaughan CovenyNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition120 June 1995Estadio Municipal Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso, Coquimbo, Chile1–01–2Copa Centenario del Fútbol Chileno225 January 1997Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney, Australia1–01–3Four Nations Tournament311 June 1997North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand1–07–01998 FIFA World Cup qualification42–056–0618 June 1997North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand2–05–0728 September 1998Lang Park, Brisbane, Australia2–08–11998 OFC Nations Cup83–095–0106–01129 June 1999National Stadium, Singapore1–01–0Friendly126 June 2001North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand1–05–02002 FIFA World Cup qualification133–0144–01511 June 2001North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand1–05–1163–01713 June 2001North Harbour Stadium, Auckland, New Zealand1–07–0182–0195–02024 June 2001Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia1–21–4219 June 2003University of Richmond Stadium, Richmond, United States1–11–2Friendly222 June 2004Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia1–12–42004 OFC Nations Cup232–3244 June 2004Marden Sports Complex, Adelaide, Australia1–010–0254–0265–0276 June 2004Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide, Australia2–02–02825 May 2006Stadion Altenkirchen, Altenkirchen, Germany1–03–1Friendly293–1
Honours Player South Melbourne FC NSL Championship: 1997/1998, 1998/1999 NSL Premiership 1997/1998, 2000, 2001 NSL Cup: 1995/1996 Dockerty Cup: 1995 OFC Championship: 1999 Hellenic Cup: 2009
New Zealand OFC Nations Cup: 1998; 3rd place, 2004
Individual New Zealand Young Player of the Year: 1992
References
External links
Wellington Phoenix profile Oz Football profile NZF – All White profile RSSSF Profile