Football: Two-time champion centre back Bill Robertson lining up with Waitakere United

Bill Robertson, who has won two ISPS Handa Premiership crowns with Team Wellington, has found a lease of life with Waitakere United after a Hawke's Bay United snub. Photo / Photosport

Waitakere United have thrown spurned former Hawke's Bay United captain/assistant coach Bill Robertson a lifeline in the national summer league.

Centre back Robertson is in the equation to play for the former O-League powerhouses against the Hamilton Wanderers in the first, proper opening round of the ISPS Handa Premiership game at Porritt Stadium, Hamilton, in a 2pm kick off on Sunday.

"It happened fairly late, like in the last couple of weeks, actually," said the 33-year-old, although he had been in talks with the franchise for several weeks.

He played in a pre-season match with Waitakere last weekend and trained throughout this week.

England-born Robertson, who has won two premierships as captain/assistant coach with Team Wellington and coached Thirsty Whale Napier City Rovers to the Ultra Football Central League title last winter, was a shock omission from the Bay franchise team.

"Look, I just wanted to continue to play and the opportunity came from Waitakere so I took it," he said.

Bay United board deputy chairman Andrew Huxford last month described Robertson, now a New Zealand citizen, as a "top bloke".