They only lost two more games during the season and defied pre-season predictions by claiming third place and a spot in the playoffs' "Elimination Final" against Waitakere United.

Waikato were crushed 4–1 by Waitakare at Trusts Stadium, Auckland, ending their hopes of Championship victory but claiming overall third place was deemed a good achievement for a team that many expected to finish last.

Striker Colin Gardyne won Sky Sports' Goal of the Season award, and was also Waikato FC's joint-top goalscorer along with Brett Derry.

The move to playing games outside Hamilton, perhaps was not financially successful, as the gate numbers were not as large as expected, but Rotorua became a fortress with wins over both Hawke's Bay Utd and eventual champions Auckland City.

For the start of Season 5, the Waikato FC made some bold intentions by signing up Kevin Fallon to manage the club.

To help keep the club alive, Ngaruawahia United offered Waikato FC their facilities at Centennial Park for training and playing.

In December 2015 it was announced that they'd be passing their ASB Premiership licence on to Hamilton Wanderers effective 2016–17 season ending their existence in the top flight of New Zealand Football.