Auckland FC - Once the Knights, Always the Knights
Fair play to them they sound like they getting well organised. Got a muso compiling chants, merch in planning etc. ACFC supporting them, but it's 'organic'.
Steve Bebic their main guy, seems a good inclusive dude. They are going to make some noise. 'It won't be an Auckland All Blacks crowd'.
I think that is pretty inclusive.
Thanks, Stefan.
Proof is in the pudding I guess.
You mis heard. It won't be an 'Auckland All Blacks' crowd. I thought that was a dig at sterile rugby crowds and their dull Black, Black, Black chants. They also said they don't welcome 'Ultra' type supporters - which means I guess they ain't looking to cause trouble on game days etc. They are aiming though for that European fan feel. I'm guessing their Bay 22 area will be standing only.
I listened to the interview about a week ago, but from the memory they said all are welcome in The Port, be you Croatian, Maori or whoever. Some harmless off the cuff remark like that. It was just Devlin interviewing 2 passionate fans - not trained media types. Was Bloc 5 at Kingz games a happy, fun, inclusive place?
I got the gist The Port (the name is slowly growing on me), is being set up with the best of intentions. They are just every day fans, who want to be loud & supportive of their new team. But they can't control any dickhead comments on the AFC Supporters FB page (not their specific FB page) or any dickheads in the crowd or who may even join them at Bay 22 at Mt Smart.
I guess once they get up their own website, they can try and police things better, get rid of any nasties. But it's early days, and I'm sure when Yellow Fever started they were a few at the ROF who went over the top & were told to either tone it down or piss off.
And yeah they welcome different fan groups starting up as well from what they say. The 09 is bigger & more multi cultural than the 04, plus the some of the local clubs pretty big, so yeah you could see different (maybe smaller) groups setting up. I'm sure a Fijian Indian bloc would form if Krishna signed!
Early days, wish them the best. The YF at one end, The Port or whoever at the other end - chanting songs at each other. These derbies could be the sporting event of the 2024/25 NZ summer. The ALM maybe at it's healthiest in NZ.
‘There’s a real pathway for them, right in their back door’
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) May 12, 2024
We’re building a club for all Aucklanders, and we are going to be here for a long time 💪
@fenciblesunited pic.twitter.com/dbKAxNytdG
Not quite sure they understand the meaning of this.
It’s like that friends episode where Chandler isn’t allowed to mock anyone!
Lots of chat around about Oskar Zawada’s next move. I honestly hope he goes to Auckland FC. He’s been a great addition to the A-League and would be a terrific marquee signing for Auckland. And imagine the extra spice it’d add to the derbies! Come on Bill, get the chequebook out. pic.twitter.com/A3jKpv55FA
— Jason Pine (@pineynz) May 21, 2024
Hint an ALM club based in Australia. His Linkedin says he's been working at AFC since February, but maybe only just arrived in NZ??
https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-kors-b5054761/
Auckland FC is buzzing to welcome Doug Kors from across the ditch as our Head of Player Recruitment.
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) May 21, 2024
This man is everywhere. Keep an eye out during your Sunday League games for him lurking in the corners 👀
The guy is a GUN 💪 pic.twitter.com/RGtddERPkD
It appears due to money issues the nix want only Kosta. Zawada is free to go and Kravev may also be too expensive if the nix are receiving 1 million less from the tv deal.
AFC have indicated that they are wanting to fill all their 5 import spots. Both players appear well settled in nz and particularly kravev. It seems an easy fit.
We all know the import spots can be a bit of a gamble and having those two, mature players with no dramas (lack of English, crazy wives, homesickness etc) would appear a safe bet to build the team around.
Both also well known to the NZ football public.
Then the other 3 can play out, maybe one marquee and the other two with an emphasis on younger players and using the Bournemouth scouting connection in places like Africa and South America.
Hint an ALM club based in Australia. His Linkedin says he's been working at AFC since February, but maybe only just arrived in NZ??
https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-kors-b5054761/
Auckland FC is buzzing to welcome Doug Kors from across the ditch as our Head of Player Recruitment.
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) May 21, 2024
This man is everywhere. Keep an eye out during your Sunday League games for him lurking in the corners 👀
The guy is a GUN 💪 pic.twitter.com/RGtddERPkD
weird that this has been announced now. he's been working for the club and scouting here in NZ for ages lol
Maybe they wanted him basically undercover around the Northern League scene for a few months?? Now they have made all their local signings - just some off contract Aussie ALM guys & visa signings to go - happy to reveal his face??
Stay ahead of the game - sign up for our newsletter today and be the first to hear about our player announcements.
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) May 24, 2024
Coming very soon 👀 pic.twitter.com/8uTPRjrVl3
Lol, I'll just wait to read about it on here!
Done, as a NZ football fan. I'm excited to especially see what young NZ players they sign.
The Nix has become a closed shop for young Kiwis, unless you go through their Academy. Fair enough with the owners having to constantly prop up the club with their own cash. As Dome has explained they maximise transfer/solidarity payments the longer someone like Libby, Singh, Waine has been at the club. So they favour their Weenix kids.
But undoubtedly they have bypassed other young Kiwis good enough to play pro football, without having to leave NZ. Auckland FC now gives these kids a chance.
Based on rumours & some complete guesswork will have a punt at who Auckland FC might have signed
Strong prospects - Michael Woud, Francis de Vries, Tommy Smith, Callan Elliot, Cam Howieson, Marco Rojas, Joey Champness, Alex Greive, Myer Bevan.
Young players - Stipe Ukich, Liam Gillion, Luis Toomey & Jesse Randall (13 in total)
Aussies - Dan Hall & Jake Brimmer.
Visas - Zawada & 4 others. Some probably on loan from Hibs, Lorient or Bournemouth. One big name ex top 5 European league (likey ex EPL) marquee signing - might take awhile to get over the line
Other prospects - Roy Krishna, Nikko Boxall, Kelvin Kalua, Conor Tracey, Jacob Mechell, Niko Kirwan, Nik Tzanev, Andre De Jong, Nando Pijnaker, Bill Tuiloma, Sarpreet Singh, Eli Just, Jack-Henry Sinclair, Logan Rogerson, James Musa, Kyle Adams, Moses Dyer, Adam Mitchell, Matt Ridenton, Kurtis Mogg, Monty Patterson, Noah Billingsley, Stefan Marinovic, Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi (spotted in NZ recently)
Other Young player prospects - Aaryan Raj, Josh Tollervey, Corban Piper, Marco Lorenz, Jackson Manuel, Zac Zoricich, Jonty Bidois, Campbell Strong, Adam Supyk, Charlie Beale, Joe Lee, Nathan Lobo, Norman Garbett, Oli Fay, Ben Wallace, Noah Karunaratne, Ryan Verney, Otto Ingham
So yeah covered a few options!! And no doubt still missed someone worthy.
The other keeper to Woud could be anyone. Many like Patterson, TAHW, Billingsley etc very very much in the long shot category. Others like Tuiloma would need to somehow exit existing contracts, as it seems Myer Bevan is trying to do.
But is interesting that Corica has obviously been talking plenty to his old Walsall team mate Bazeley. No doubt a lot of that chat has been about the NZ U23 & U20 teams Bazeley coaches.
Then you also have Danny Hay coming in as an assistant. Hay a fan of Kevin Kalua as one example.
Note as at 15th March, Corica said they had signed 9 players (7 Kiwis & 2 Aussies). And from memory a more recent update was they had signed 13.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/03/15/listen-how-auckland-fcs-player-recruitment-is-going/
Lol, I'll just wait to read about it on here!
Done, as a NZ football fan. I'm excited to especially see what young NZ players they sign.
The Nix has become a closed shop for young Kiwis, unless you go through their Academy. Fair enough with the owners having to constantly prop up the club with their own cash. As Dome has explained they maximise transfer/solidarity payments the longer someone like Libby, Singh, Waine has been at the club. So they favour their Weenix kids.
But undoubtedly they have bypassed other young Kiwis good enough to play pro football, without having to leave NZ. Auckland FC now gives these kids a chance.
Based on rumours & some complete guesswork will have a punt at who Auckland FC might have signed
Strong prospects - Michael Woud, Francis de Vries, Tommy Smith, Callan Elliot, Cam Howieson, Marco Rojas, Joey Champness, Alex Greive, Myer Bevan.
Young players - Stipe Ukich, Luis Toomey & Jesse Randall (12 in total)
Aussies - Dan Hall & Jake Brimmer.
Visas - Zawada & 4 others. Some probably on loan from Hibs, Lorient or Bournemouth. One big name ex top 5 European league (likey ex EPL) marquee signing - might take awhile to get over the line
Other prospects - Roy Krishna, Nikko Boxall, Kelvin Kalua, Conor Tracey, Jacob Mechell, Niko Kirwan, Nik Tzanev, Andre De Jong, Nando Pijnaker, Bill Tuiloma, Sarpreet Singh, Eli Just, Jack-Henry Sinclair, Matt Ridenton, Kurtis Mogg, Monty Patterson, Noah Billingsley, Te Atawhai Hudson-Wihongi (spotted in NZ recently)
Other Young player prospects - Liam Gillon, Aaryan Raj, Josh Tollervey, Corban Piper, Marco Lorenz, Jackson Manuel, Zac Zoricich, Jonty Bidois, Campbell Strong, Adam Supyk, Charlie Beale, Joe Lee, Nathan Lobo, Oli Fay, Ben Wallace, Noah Karunaratne, Ryan Verney
So yeah covered a few options!! And no doubt still missed someone worthy.
The other keeper to Woud could be anyone. Many like Patterson, TAHW, Billingsley etc very very much in the long shot category. But is interesting that Corica has obviously been talking plenty to his old Walsall team mate Bazeley. No doubt a lot of that chat has been about the NZ U23 & U20 teams Bazeley coaches.
Then you also have Danny Hay coming in as an assistant. Hay a fan of Kevin Kalua as one example.
Good as speculation and could be a bloody solid squad out of he gates.
The Maui Derby? As in both clubs are from Te Ika-a-Maui (the North Island).
I'm sure there's better options out there.
Edit: Unsure if there would be cultural objections to the above. If so scrap my suggestion.
Just spit balling, I'm sure someone will come up with something clever. We should have a trophy though so we have a chance of winning it!
NZ’s GOAT Wynton has lived in both cities. Nephew Nix captain
It’s something NZ could do better in sport as a whole. Celebrate past greats. The Aussies are all over it
sorted
It's harder than it looks...
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) May 27, 2024
How many do you think you can do? pic.twitter.com/LMw7N8H5K0
Presented without comment.
Sounds like some sort Corporate box area? 'Club Level' whatever that means.
Anyway they are going to get bigger crowds than the Kingz & Knights.
Auckland version III may actually do alright.
We have SOLD OUT one of the most sought-after sections at our home ground already!
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) May 24, 2024
This is before opening to the public to purchase memberships...
Be sure to log in on the 4th of June and secure your membership for our first-ever season. pic.twitter.com/QitD4nWJRx
Our first 4 players will be announced on Thursday.
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) May 28, 2024
Get ready ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Oaz6uTsPk9
Our first 4 players will be announced on Thursday.
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) May 28, 2024
Get ready ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/Oaz6uTsPk9
Edit: Scratch that, Cam Howieson is from Blenheim. Callan’s a Nelson boy.
1 - Blenheim/ACFC - Howieson
2 - Auckland/ACFC - ??
3 - Wellington - ??
4 - Auckland/Left Footed Keeper - Woud