Finally something of an update. They honestly sound quite optimistic - but leaving a little wriggle room so that if they don't happen they don't feel like they've completely lost face.
The increasing number of global footballing groups was something he pointed to as being beneficial to the A-Leagues plans for growth, not just because they bring footballing IP and global networks to startup sides, as well as the ability to streamline and share costs, but also because new FIFA rules surrounding the number of players one club can loan makes the ownership of owning multiple clubs around the world a more attractive proposition. He said that while formal discussions were yet to occur, media reporting had seen the league receive interest from several consortiums interested in investing in a Canberra or Auckland licence.
"I get a sense of we'll know in the next sort of a [seven weeks] as to where we are with [Canberra and Auckland] and so far we've got enough evidence to be confident that they'll both get up."
I imagine Auckland would be an attractive market for one of these overseas sports investors. 2 million people with very little to no possibility that your market will be depleted with another team in the city.
Someone on what used to be the 442 forums saying they might not want ACFC associated with the A-League, because of "problems with Sydney United 58 and Melbourne Knights". I had to explain that the historical reasons that the Aussie Croatian community have a Nazi problem don't apply here
Why did they associate an Auckland club with those?
Because ACFC is an extension of Central United which was founded by the Croatian community. There has been a lot of exposure recently of the fascist fringe of the Australian Croatian community, apparently Melbourne Knights were founded by an escaped war criminal. But as far as I know, the same is not true at all for NZ's Croatians, who came here to dig gum and start vineyards in the late 19th century, not in 1946 for "reasons".
Why did they associate an Auckland club with those?
Because ACFC is an extension of Central United which was founded by the Croatian community. There has been a lot of exposure recently of the fascist fringe of the Australian Croatian community, apparently Melbourne Knights were founded by an escaped war criminal. But as far as I know, the same is not true at all for NZ's Croatians, who came here to dig gum and start vineyards in the late 19th century, not in 1946 for "reasons".
Thanks. Didn't know that about the football club or Croatian emigration to NZ. I learned 2 things from 1 fact.
Hopefully, once the women's world cup ends, we'll get some positive news re the proposed new Auckland team. I can only imagine what's happening behind the scenes, trying to find the necessary loot. Anyone on here heard anything?
Hopefully, once the women's world cup ends, we'll get some positive news re the proposed new Auckland team. I can only imagine what's happening behind the scenes, trying to find the necessary loot. Anyone on here heard anything?
I'm genuinely gonna be shocked if it still happens with the way Perths gone now.
Hopefully, once the women's world cup ends, we'll get some positive news re the proposed new Auckland team. I can only imagine what's happening behind the scenes, trying to find the necessary loot. Anyone on here heard anything?
I'm genuinely gonna be shocked if it still happens with the way Perths gone now.
Perth not having owners shouldnt have an impact on Auckland or Canberra buyers, right?
I can see it hasn't been posted here but in the below interview it has been stated that there are several bids for the Auckland franchise. It sounds like it's almost certain Auckland will have a franchise now.
I personally think any serious offer will be some overseas bid like the City group or something. I have no problem with that personally since more opportunities for young kiwis in football is always a good thing.
I can see it hasn't been posted here but in the below interview it has been stated that there are several bids for the Auckland franchise. It sounds like it's almost certain Auckland will have a franchise now.
I personally think any serious offer will be some overseas bid like the City group or something. I have no problem with that personally since more opportunities for young kiwis in football is always a good thing.
Don't have time to listen, but the idea of several bidders boggles my imagination. There was one serious contender - Ivan Vuksich's Auckland FC setup - and they didn't have the $25 million. My money is still on no Auckland bid.
Later on he mentions possible overseas investment for the league/code as a whole. Who knows who is out there. For starters the Chairman of Auckland United Murray Holdaway is far far wealthier, than Ivan Vuksich & his ppty developer mate.
And it could be that the APL are open to some sort of graduated payment plan re the reported $25M franchise fee. We wait to find out.
Edit - oh and it doesn't go far in overcoming a $25M license fee hurdle, but the crowds with the WWC at Eden Park have been very healthy. Boosted of course by lots of international visitors, especially Americanos in town. But there is a football audience in the 09.
I can find absolutely no reporting of this online, including on the 1News website
Well you can take my word for it or alternatively go to TVNZ on demand and watch last nights (Monday night) news from the 15:00 minute mark :)
Hmmm, it checks out. That is what the voiceover says at about 16:00, and Andrew Prangnell says how exciting it is (in the context of building on WWC momentum). Given that, it is bizarre that there seems to be no reporting on this from any other sources.
I can find absolutely no reporting of this online, including on the 1News website
Well you can take my word for it or alternatively go to TVNZ on demand and watch last nights (Monday night) news from the 15:00 minute mark :)
Hmmm, it checks out. That is what the voiceover says at about 16:00, and Andrew Prangnell says how exciting it is (in the context of building on WWC momentum). Given that, it is bizarre that there seems to be no reporting on this from any other sources.
Yes I agree completely bizarre that there is no follow up article from one news. I guess our very small amount of NZ football journo's are too busy with the world cup.
Either way we've now had two sources saying this Auckland team is happening. One being NZ football and the other side being the APL. Since both sides are saying this you have to assume it is happening - I'm also shocked that there is a womens team mentioned as well. Sounds like a MASSIVE investment in NZ football to me.
Now someone just needs construct a purpose built football stadium in both Welly and Auckland and we'll be away laughing.......
I noted Andrew Pragnell the other night talking about the strong likelihood of an Auckland women's A-League team next year, obviously part of the Auckland AL expansion plans. I have to assume that once the Women's WC is over we will start to hear more about the proposed Auckland teams - assuming someone has found the set-up $$.
I noted Andrew Pragnell the other night talking about the strong likelihood of an Auckland women's A-League team next year, obviously part of the Auckland AL expansion plans. I have to assume that once the Women's WC is over we will start to hear more about the proposed Auckland teams - assuming someone has found the set-up $$.
An APL/NZF annoucement is to be made in September, about an Auckland A League bid.
Ali Riley was on a football show Stateside the other day, and also talked about a likely new Auckland ALW team.
I know it's not likely to be a popular view, but I think a second A League set up in New Zealand is a bad idea. I don't believe we have the necessary resources to sustain it or make it successful. We currently have one club, with a men's team and a women's team - neither of which are, objectively speaking, successful (in terms of trophies, consistency etc).
The idea that 'Auckland is a big city, it will gets lots of paying spectators' has been proven false in a number of former entities. My fear is the same happens again.
Are there really dozens of professional level footballers waiting in the wings to fill out the Auckland rosters?
Would an Auckland team get more New Zealanders watching/'consuming' A-League football? Are there thousands of Aucklanders saying, "well, if only there was a team in my home city I'd be keen, otherwise I'm not interested"?
I know I may sound like a grumpy old man, but I honestly don't think this is a good move, for this number of reasons. Now, if the Nix were multiple-times winners, and there were loads of promising youngsters being snapped up by Aussie teams because there were no spaces in the first team, then definitely, bring on a second club. But we're not there yet, and I worry about a new entity unintentionally diluting things, rather than enhancing them.
I know it's not likely to be a popular view, but I think a second A League set up in New Zealand is a bad idea. I don't believe we have the necessary resources to sustain it or make it successful. We currently have one club, with a men's team and a women's team - neither of which are, objectively speaking, successful (in terms of trophies, consistency etc).
The idea that 'Auckland is a big city, it will gets lots of paying spectators' has been proven false in a number of former entities. My fear is the same happens again.
Are there really dozens of professional level footballers waiting in the wings to fill out the Auckland rosters?
Would an Auckland team get more New Zealanders watching/'consuming' A-League football? Are there thousands of Aucklanders saying, "well, if only there was a team in my home city I'd be keen, otherwise I'm not interested"?
I know I may sound like a grumpy old man, but I honestly don't think this is a good move, for this number of reasons. Now, if the Nix were multiple-times winners, and there were loads of promising youngsters being snapped up by Aussie teams because there were no spaces in the first team, then definitely, bring on a second club. But we're not there yet, and I worry about a new entity unintentionally diluting things, rather than enhancing them.
I think the opposite is possible, having two clubs in the aleague means we'll have double to opportunities for young players to be expoised to the training and development that they currently only have at the nix - and to an extect the various academys that are out there. Two clubs with well defined pathways into the professional football workd can only be good. Rather that watering down to talent pool in will actually increase the kiwi talent pool. How many young kiwis are we (coochie) currently tracking that have gone to find their footballing dream off shore, why is that? no easy way into the nix unless you're in Wellington, not being identified by the nix because they can't be watching every national league all the time. This if Auckland had the same kind of setup as the nix, Womens team, Mens team, several youth teams. That would mean that kids will be picked up and developed at home, potentially play in the Aleague and then move offshore. Can only be good for the football scene in NZ and the international teams.
I have a real hunch an Auckland A League club is going to be successful from the get go. The failed Knights & Kings certainly are relevant reminders, in that things on & off the field need to be done well.
But 1. a new Auckland won't be based at that soulness Albany stadium, 2. The Yellow Fever has shown what a real NZ football fan club can look like, something no other code in NZ has, and 3. Multicultural Auckland has grown & it's football community has grown since the previous two duds. I'd plump for Eden Park & it's central locale, but Mt Smart could also go okay. Or a combination of those 2 grounds plus 1-2 games at Tauranga (around New Years) & Hamilton. The Nix derby games definitely in Mt Eden.
Re the NZ player pool, I think there is enough talent around. Some domestic Greives, Reiras, Siggies who just need a chance. Cam Howieson to make himself available. As others have written, it seems the Nix are now basically ignoring any domestic NZ player who are not in their Academy. For sure there are players in the domestic leagues worth a chance at the A League.
Also without insulting the Nix & Welly, there are also some Kiwis overseas who would be enticed back to live & play A League football in the 09, but not the 04. That's a reasonable agrument.
And lastly since we NZers love a good per capita stat. Aussie population 26.7M, 12 ALM clubs (with Canberra). So that's 2.2M people per club. NZ popn 5.2M, 2 ALM clubs so 2.6M folks per club. We edge them
If they have the available football (soccer) talent with all those competing winter codes like 20 AFL clubs, 18 NRL clubs & 5 pro Super Rugby teams - so will we there or thereabouts.
The new NSD (2nd tier) if happens next year in Australia, will identify a host of promising Aussie (and some Kiwis) worth a shot at the ALM. And Oz clubs won't be able to sign them all. The step up from the NSD to the ALM, will be smaller than the semi pro NPL leagues.
Football in NZ to really progress as a sport, needs an Auckland A League club. Do the draw right and that means an ALM and ALW game each week in NZ. At worst a game every fortnight. Often in Jan-Feb it seems the Nix can go 3-4 weeks without playing in NZ, and football disappears from the sporting focus. And like it or not, so much of the sporting media, and commercial dollars are based north of the Bombays.
A 2nd A League club in NZ, and the AWs plus the Ferns playing say 2 high profile friendlies each annually at home - and the code will be much closer to it's potential in Aotearoa. Rugby will then genuinely have reason to be worried, because as it will feel threatened both at a grassroots & and the highest level.
PS. YoungHeartHM & Carlind are tracking young Kiwis offshore better than me!
As Voerman has basically said in his Stuff article today, to capitalise on the general football goodwill and momentum of the WWC (which may never be repeated here as an event) - the code can't just sit still.
An Auckland A League club, and continuing dialogue with Australia, plus Malaysia/Singapore or whoever about a Mens WC cohosting bid - those are the minimum steps now to take the sport forward.
Now imagine how good it would be if we had three NZ teams, Auckland, Wellingotn and Christchurch!
I think the goal should be 4! That way 2 home games in NZ every weekend at the time broadcasters want.
Also think there is more merit in NZF subsiding travel for additional A-league sides rather than subsidising regional travel in the National and Regional Leagues.
Now imagine how good it would be if we had three NZ teams, Auckland, Wellingotn and Christchurch!
I think the goal should be 4! That way 2 home games in NZ every weekend at the time broadcasters want.
Also think there is more merit in NZF subsiding travel for additional A-league sides rather than subsidising regional travel in the National and Regional Leagues.
Well clearly at 8 you're just being silly. We dont have the population base for 8, even 6 would be a stretch. 4 feels like a bit of a stretch and I could imagine Dunners or Hamilton being able to get a team off the ground.