Auckland FC - Once the Knights, Always the Knights
Never thought I'd say this... but I wish he was still the All Whites coach.
The 'Chuds' ain't your real enemy Doloras, the very Fascist, Chinese Communist Party are. Pray that capitalist America always stays a superpower, because the CCP has their own colonialist long term ambitions. And for NZ it would be an attack on everything you (and all of us) hold dear.
Naive NZ maybe holding out the cultural welcome mat, to a smiling Premier Li. But in the evenings, he & his private entourage are sharing the most horrible racist hei laowai and anti LGBTI jokes. Someone somewhere in a Beijing bunker, will be mapping out suitable sites for "reducation" camps.
Sorry I heavily digress.
Edit - opened up a Politics thread (Off Topic), since I am bad at taking stuff off topic.
Speaking of Birkenhead, they have Monty Patterson running round, seems to be scoring quite a few goals for them too.
On the subject of forwards, I note that Derek Tieku has recently left Hamilton Wanderers for 'an exciting footballing opportunity'. He is their leading goal scorer. Although born overseas, he's been in NZ for a number of years so surely would be considered a local player if we're interested
I highly doubt we'd stand a chance at brining Waine back to ALM. Plymouth stayed up, so he'll be relishing the chance to be in a Championship squad.
Speaking of Birkenhead, they have Monty Patterson running round, seems to be scoring quite a few goals for them too.
On the subject of forwards, I note that Derek Tieku has recently left Hamilton Wanderers for 'an exciting footballing opportunity'. He is their leading goal scorer. Although born overseas, he's been in NZ for a number of years so surely would be considered a local player if we're interested
I highly doubt we'd stand a chance at brining Waine back to ALM. Plymouth stayed up, so he'll be relishing the chance to be in a Championship squad.
Tieku signed for Auckland City, 09's other professional club.
Joey Champness has signed for Auckland.
You're welcome.
Would it be possible to list in one summarised post, the players you can confirm have already signed?
Cheers buddy
Hopefully he doesn’t have another turbulent spell and can just focus on playing. How old is he now?
Hopefully he doesn’t have another turbulent spell and can just focus on playing. How old is he now?
full back, winger and mushy peas guy
so thus far - Woud: Devries, Smith, Sakai, Elliott: Howieson, Randell: Champness & Mata: half time mushy peas and pie
Wondering if Howieson is going to be up to standard. He does have a lot of preparation time, but has also been far behind the others when and if he’s turned out for the AWs.
Maybe it’s like riding a bike, but then again maybe it isn’t, given the time it took Roy to get up to speed in possibly a less demanding position.
Wondering if Howieson is going to be up to standard. He does have a lot of preparation time, but has also been far behind the others when and if he’s turned out for the AWs.
Maybe it’s like riding a bike, but then again maybe it isn’t, given the time it took Roy to get up to speed in possibly a less demanding position.
Tipenes Takeaways probably top of their game, doing night in night out takeaways. Woud spent months on the bench, same Elliott, Smith a handful of A league games after being on the subs bench, De Vries and Randell from domestic football alongisde Howieson, Mata playing in Ireland, Champness no football for a year. Not sure if Sakai was getting regular first team outings. He and Smith might be the only 2 with recent experience/starts at A league level. Rojas probably in similar situation though seems he hasn't signed yet.
Wonder is Lasogga is going to be Lammers in disguise? That said, the recent Lammers in disguise signed by the Pheonix turned out to be pretty decent
Wondering if Howieson is going to be up to standard. He does have a lot of preparation time, but has also been far behind the others when and if he’s turned out for the AWs.
Maybe it’s like riding a bike, but then again maybe it isn’t, given the time it took Roy to get up to speed in possibly a less demanding position.
Tipenes Takeaways probably top of their game, doing night in night out takeaways. Woud spent months on the bench, same Elliott, Smith a handful of A league games after being on the subs bench, De Vries and Randell from domestic football alongisde Howieson, Mata playing in Ireland, Champness no football for a year. Not sure if Sakai was getting regular first team outings. He and Smith might be the only 2 with recent experience/starts at A league level. Rojas probably in similar situation though seems he hasn't signed yet.
Wonder is Lasogga is going to be Lammers in disguise? That said, the recent Lammers in disguise signed by the Pheonix turned out to be pretty decent
Jake Brimmer and Dan Hall should be up right with the speed of play in the league.
Sounds like Auckland have got a nice pre season camp sorted on the Gold Coast to begin their prep as well.
At the moment just filling up the squad with the best available kiwi players before moving into the imports, ausi players and one or two more high profile kiwis.
Can’t really fault the logic and better then focussing on ausi players to fill out your squad.
It took the nix a long time to stop doing that.
Must be due some new signing announcements this week. Nothing last week, and pre season training to start in July.
Nah that's that old nufc blokes tagline. Can't be flogging that!
Corica & McFlynn haven't gone to Vanuatu have they?
We headed down to @fenciblesunited on Saturday morning.
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) June 17, 2024
Lots of local talent and I’m sure we will see some of them soon in blue and black ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/7jfd6quPam
Corica & McFlynn haven't gone to Vanuatu have they?
We headed down to @fenciblesunited on Saturday morning.
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) June 17, 2024
Lots of local talent and I’m sure we will see some of them soon in blue and black ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/7jfd6quPam
No idea at the moment. Haven't heard anything imminent, although they could be trying to stagger them. Not too sure who they could get out of the current AW's setup either given most are under contract. Elijah Just seems to be intent on finding a club that will pick him up in Europe - Think he's still under contract for the upcoming season as well, but we'll see if that changes. Alex Grieve maybe? But I haven't heard anything on if they're in for him as it stands.
In other news though, Johnathan Gould is the GK coach (don't know whether that's been revealed yet) and word through the grapevine is that James Lowy (currently Bournemouth U18) is possibly picking up the second assistant role - But nothing confirmed on that front yet.
Two Kiwis on their first pro deals.
Should be announced this afternoon.
I know nothing about the guy. Can anyone give us/link us to a good summary?
We have our first family split loyalties Kiwi Klasico already. Fergus verus Liam!
Mum's half of the table Nix verus Dad's half AFC?
We have our first family derby already. Fergus verus Liam!
8 out of 9 ain't bad so far.
I'll have to give my source a tune up for missing him off. Although I did know Gillion had signed too. 😆
Been told Ollie Middleton has signed as well, whether that's announced today or not, I'm unsure (but given all clear from the source to post).
No fanfare this time, or buildup to the announcement. They must be trying to keep some cards up their sleeves. 😆
But yeah this is why I am very supportive of having a 2nd NZ A League club. Young Kiwis who would have to otherwise somehow try find a deal overseas, get their first pro opportunity in NZ. You'd hope at least one of these guy goes on to have a very good career, becoming an AW.
It's going to quickly deepen the NZ football talent base. Look how the Nix ALW team have only been operating 3 years, but already Fraser, Clegg, Taylor, Foster, Barry have gone on to be Ferns - and all potentially long term Ferns at that.
Great for the Northern League club scene as well. Kids and the clubs can see a pathway to pro football. Will likely help the crowds if a few of these kids crack ALM match day squads early on. Various club supporters going to watch one of their own.
Finn McKenlay
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) June 19, 2024
Auckland FC welcomes Finn to the club 🎉
Our memberships are now live! Purchase through the link in our bio to see Finn in action next season. pic.twitter.com/h1Sr4ROye2
Liam Gillion
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) June 19, 2024
Auckland FC welcomes Liam to the club 🎉
Our memberships are now live! Purchase through the link in our bio to see Liam in action next season. pic.twitter.com/WnrmbKFnXZ
Luis Toomey
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) June 19, 2024
Auckland FC welcomes Luis to the club 🎉
Our memberships are now live! Purchase through the link in our bio to see Luis in action next season. pic.twitter.com/xjx3gMFAIm
I know nothing about the guy. Can anyone give us/link us to a good summary?
Last year he had Toomey in his 1st XI (alongside Howieson). He's maybe the closest of today's 5 announced youngsters to be quickly pushing for a first team spot. He was the only 1 of the 5 named in either of the three XIs by Niche Cache. Liam Gillion has been in hot form for ACFC though.
Aaryan Raj was named in the 3rd XI and was rumoured to be talking to Auckland FC?
https://theniche-cache.com/football/2023/12/22/2023-mens-national-league-team-of-the-season
Strong on the ball, deceptively elusive, and with a wonderful willingness to accept the pressure of being the main man on attack. He was especially ruthless against his old mates at the Nix Reserves, scoring twice in a 5-3 result as the Lilywhites finally won their first game at the sixth time of asking (sparking a four-game win streak). Toomey only played six games. In those six games, the 22yo Napier lad scored six times and supplied four assists. It was a spectacular breakthrough.
Toomey did spend some time in Finland after leaving the Phoenix, got to think he’ll be back overseas again sooner rather than later.
Every week it's Luis Toomey for @ESAFC
— The Niche Cache (@thenichecache) November 14, 2023
In five starts and one sub appearance this #NZNationalLeague he has six goals and four assists
If he were still at the Phoenix he'd be making matchday squads every week under Italiano pic.twitter.com/mmK19Hcqsc
Jonty Bidois
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) June 19, 2024
Auckland FC welcomes Jonty to the club 🎉
Our memberships are now live! Purchase through the link in our bio to see Jonty in action next season. pic.twitter.com/NkmBoJoV7H
Jonty Bidois
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) June 19, 2024
Auckland FC welcomes Jonty to the club 🎉
Our memberships are now live! Purchase through the link in our bio to see Jonty in action next season. pic.twitter.com/NkmBoJoV7H
They've been given a stern talking to.
The only ones that caught me out were Bidois and Coulibaly to be honest. Source reckons they've told me, but I've missed this (in fairness I do a lot of this when I should be working!) 🤣