Old m8 Foley hardly gonna be impressed in the supporters group. 'the port' is as far away from knights related terminology as I imagine you could get. NGL, I love it for that reason.
I'd assume he's well aware that fans will name their group whatever they feel like, and know's that the club or him, can't and shouldn't attempt to influence it in anyway. Maybe he'll be a little surprised the future fanbase hasnt gone with a knight themed name, but I suspect the pain from the NZ knightz is a little too fresh in the memories for some.
He needs to find another $NZD25M, and setup a 3rd A League club in Canterbury. Cantabs love a medieval themed sports team. Is a rugby team I believe, plus the Canterbury Kings in cricket. They will happily call themselves the Black Knights. From 2026 a nice shiny CBD rectangular roofed stadium awaits!
Foley can save some dollars by just having them wear Bournemouth castoff jerseys. Same colours.
They won't announce players who currently play for other clubs. Maclaren has hinted that he won't be at Melbourne City next season, so he seems to be the most likely to join.
But, they might also be struggling we know they've approached both Rojas and Sloane-Rodriguez and both players have turned them down.
They won't announce players who currently play for other clubs. Maclaren has hinted that he won't be at Melbourne City next season, so he seems to be the most likely to join.
But, they might also be struggling we know they've approached both Rojas and Sloane-Rodriguez and both players have turned them down.
Rojas has turned them down?
I reckon GSR turned them down because they are more likely than the Nix to have big money attacking signings, and so as a 16 yr his playing time would be limited. Old leaves and GSR could even go close to being a starter next season with the Phoenix.
They won't announce players who currently play for other clubs. Maclaren has hinted that he won't be at Melbourne City next season, so he seems to be the most likely to join.
But, they might also be struggling we know they've approached both Rojas and Sloane-Rodriguez and both players have turned them down.
Rojas has turned them down?
I reckon GSR turned them down because they are more likely than the Nix to have big money attacking signings, and so as a 16 yr his playing time would be limited. Old leaves and GSR could even go close to being a starter next season with the Phoenix.
Rojas said in the interview that was posted in his thread, that he is in no rush to make a decision about next season. So turned down isn't quite accurate.
He said something along the lines of they approached him and he said he wants to get through this season before thinking about next and hasn't talked to them since. So turn down night not be quite correct, but he pushed back on them.
Any source on Singh or do you just think it’s likely and makes sense? I think it’d be the best thing for him short of a Dutch or danish club making an offer.
The people who are saying Rojas has signed, are the same people who were saying Rojas had definitely signed previously and was already training with the coaching staff. That was just days before he signed for Brisbane and had apparently been training with Brisbane for weeks. In short, randoms on the internet know nothing and try and seem more important / knowledgeable than they are.
It wouldn't surprise me if Rojas signs for Auckland, it also wouldn't surprise me if he stays at Brisbane.
I'm guessing a large squad naming post the ALM Grand Final, when most European leagues will also have finished, and the All Whites will be in NZ assembling for June's OFC Nations Cup.
McFlynn says training to start in July. Work already started on identifying local young talent for their new Academy.
Singh like most of the ex WYNRS academy players have not performed overseas. Few goals a lot of injuries while thinking they were johnny top dollar. We can do better than also rans.
loyalgunner
Any source on Singh or do you just think it’s likely and makes sense? I think it’d be the best thing for him short of a Dutch or danish club making an offer.
I would have thought that days old stubble would impede aerodynamics
Does sound a very American appointment. In contrast here's Corica & McFlynn getting out into the grass roots.
Clendon Park a world away from where Ali & Anna live.
Like an old-fashioned number nine, we’re popping up all over the place.
This week we hit the motorway with Steve and Terry and headed out to Clendon UTD in Manurewa for some quality chat and to see some on-pitch action. pic.twitter.com/dU9xfqVOcQ
Good to see Steve getting out and about in our domestic clubs.
Really hope effort is put into the Polynesian population (Māori and PI) to properly engage with them, especially as AFC is going to be playing at Mt. Smart.
I think the future of kiwi football lies with that ethnic group as there is so much untapped talent there. League, rugby, even basketball has sussed it, not so much football even though the Rufers, Reid, Ngata, Fallon, Tuiloma, Lewis, and many other Ferns and All Whites are of Polynesian (Māori) descent.
As to those other two, well, less said about them the better really.
Max Mata (Māori and Cook Island Māori). Moses Dyer (Wiki says - Polynesian??). Maxime Teremoana Crocombe (Cook Islands). The Boxalls are of Samoan heritage.
Actually wonder if uncontracted Nikko Boxall is on Auckland's radar? Little strange he hasn't got another gig with some club in Finland. That's his usual easy hangout it seems when he needs a job. Already signed up with AFC?
There was even a rumour that ex Nixer Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi was back in Auckland from the UK pub leagues, as a possible AFC signing.
But yes is a good point Marto, hopefully Auckland FC do attempt to tap into Auckland's large Polynesian/immigrant population. Not all Maori & Polynesian are solely in love with just the rugby codes. Tuiloma in my view would make a great first captain, as a statement to help capture that market.
If Howieson is indeed signed, he probably should be front and centre in their presentation. He is a current AW, well established in the local football scene up there & has pasifika heritage if that is important to you.
When WSW was founded, they used Tarek Elrich in a similar way. He wasn't a starter but was someone that would connect with the fan base they were pitching themselves too.
If Howieson is indeed signed, he probably should be front and centre in their presentation. He is a current AW, well established in the local football scene up there & has pasifika heritage if that is important to you.
When WSW was founded, they used Tarek Elrich in a similar way. He wasn't a starter but was someone that would connect with the fan base they were pitching themselves too.
Not so much a current AW. Last involvement in the squad for March 2023 China games. No mins. Last played for the national team against Socceroos in Sept 2022.
Since then the younger brigade have developed further, Rufer's had a revival, and newcomers like Dibley-Dias, Conchie are coming on the scene. So not sure Howieson's much in AWs reckoning anymore. Maybe a weakened squad for the OFC tourney in June.
But semantics I guess, as yes he's a very well known identity on the NZ domestic and Auckland scene, who's well good enough for a crack finally at the ALM. So yeah he'll likely be prominent in some of their marketing.
Nothing so far about Bling II: Baby blinging indicates they’re aware of Polynesian or Island presence in the city. Tuiloma would have made a good first club captain if that was their intention.
White rich and corporate is the image so far! Nothing wrong with that, but amongst anti-Maori backlash leading up to the last election there’s been little indication that they’re tapping into the Tamaki or Waitemata heritage.
This might possibly change with the announcement of players, but do taniwha fit with a Christian knight narrative?
I'd say Howieson is a nobody outside of football tragics here and in NZ football circles. Fine as a squaddie, no more then that.
You need someone a lot more well known then him. Sucks that Winnie is done as he would be the perfect signing. Not that old, captained a Prem team, scored a goal at the WC, true blue kiwi and Māori to boot.
The Kingz had W. Rufer and Ngata as the perfect role models in season one.
AFC really needs someone like one of the three mentioned here. M. Boxall maybe?
The Auckland City brigade (Corica, McFlynn and co) were at Seddon tonight to watch an impressive Springs side dispatch Auckland United in front of a big home crowd. A lot of whispering going on as would be expected with some much talent on show.
I think the likes of Gillion (City), Jackson Manuel (Springs) and Middleton (Auckland United) are all a good shout to be full squad members. I’m sure they will take a punt on 2-3 local lads, there is pretty limited risk of offering them a 1 year contract at 19 or 20.
What a good side Springs look this season. Great signings and some really good football being played. Not a one man team by any means. Will certainly challenge for domestic honours this season. Auckland United are good but perhaps a little too inexperienced in the big games.
Nothing so far about Bling II: Baby blinging indicates they’re aware of Polynesian or Island presence in the city. Tuiloma would have made a good first club captain if that was their intention.
White rich and corporate is the image so far! Nothing wrong with that, but amongst anti-Maori backlash leading up to the last election there’s been little indication that they’re tapping into the Tamaki or Waitemata heritage.
This might possibly change with the announcement of players, but do taniwha fit with a Christian knight narrative?
Not so far.
What do you mean FFS. You are just nasty muck spreading. Did you even spend the 40 secs required to watch this video, before making sweeping accusations it's just a rich white corporate image they are going with? They have been in operation a matter of months. Employing staff. Signing players. Lot going on. I'm sure with time they will be doing plenty of stuff in the Maori language space etc.
We as yet have no real idea which players they have signed, and Tuiloma is still contracted to Charlotte until 2025. So getting him to Auckland ain't that simple.
Like an old-fashioned number nine, we’re popping up all over the place.
This week we hit the motorway with Steve and Terry and headed out to Clendon UTD in Manurewa for some quality chat and to see some on-pitch action. pic.twitter.com/dU9xfqVOcQ
I've read some stuff on the Las Vegas Knights NHL team, and they made a real effort to embed themselves in the Vegas community.
No reason to think Foley's Auckland franchise won't do that. I reckon the Americans that Foley brings into the Auckland FC setup, will be all over the requirement to win over as much of the 09 as possible. They are after all coming from a country that has a super competitive sports market, and where every fan is almost cherished. The fan experience Stateside is taken very seriously.
Doloras will be there with her left wing ultra group singing Spanish Civil War songs, but I'm sure as long as they have paying tickets they will be warmly embraced. Bill just wants you to turn up.
Maybe it's a good thing that Corica, McFlynn & Foley are all foreigners to NZ. No interest in any Kiwi racial or political hang ups, just getting on with the busy work of building a club from scratch, and getting out there as much as time perrmits, into the community.
By no means taking potshots at what the Nix do in the cultural space, but have a look at photo of a packed Yellow Fever Zone at a game. Seems about 95% white pakeha to me. It is what it is.
Their owner is a white American dude with Auckland’s love island couple and brother.
Their manager is Corrica. Operations is Becker. McFlynn is CEO. They’re posting gags about F1. They’re embracing a rich, preppy image so far. Nothing wrong with that.
Supporters are (Wellington is the home of football..) U p th e Po rt.
I’ll read your whole thing when I’ve got more battery, but so far they aren’t using a lot of Polynesian imagery or allusions in anything I’ve seen, which certainly was an option.