Legend
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ClubOranje wrote:

coochiee wrote:

martinb wrote:

coochiee wrote:

Judean People's Front at war, with the People's Front of Judea.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/centra...

Hopefully some more flexible neighbourly views prevail going forward. Eden Park is a fantastic facility but has been hamstrung in recent times by some very vocal and politically powerful anti local residents. No need for a new national stadium on the waterfront if Eden Park could be used for the reason it was built. 

Aw, nah. They can have a lot of events there. It's used for the rugby and cricket it was designed for.

It's just rugby and cricket local games don't sell tickets. Suspect with the timing there's some astro-turfing with this group. They're showing up late in the piece. 

Well no. The above Stuff article quotes a charity Phil Collins concert being canned, because of objections from local residents. That's just one example. I'm sure other planned events incl concerts, have also had to be canned or taken elsewhere.

NZ Cricket have definitely taken games away from Auckland.

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/cricket/cric...

"We all would've wanted to play more cricket, more of the India tour at Eden Park, but unfortunately we can't," he said.

"We've got some restrictions around how late they can go."

The ground is essentially unusable because India's bosses and broadcasters want matches to start later in the day, which sees it clash with resource consent Crummy said.

When Eden Park was opened in 1900, Greater Auckland's population was only around 100,000. Incidentally, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin all had quite similar populations at the end of the 19th century! Consider that for a moment.

The needs of Auckland have vastly changed in the last 119 years. It's a city with restrictive geography and an ongoing housing shortage. Bowl over EP, build housing there, and open a new stadium away from residential areas, that's easily accessible by public transport. If it can be done for 'free' as part of some land swap deal, all the better. 

Keeping EP no 2 as a boutique ground, on a small footprint was an idea I had, but may just not be feasible. And if you could still create a good atmosphere at any new stadium, for those games with smaller crowds (15,000 & less) - through clever acoustics, closing top tiers etc - then you just need the new stadium. As long as it's a rectangle!

So called restrictions at Eden Park wouldn't affect it as a football stadium as the times and noise levels would comfortably comply.

The problem with the cricket was they wanted to start later to suit India television audiences, which meant running through to 11:30 ish, which is certainly no fun for residents on a week night, and even weekends for some given it takes a while for the crowd to file out and disperse, and normally noisy after the cricket because you have several thousand people having sat around drinking for six hours.

The concerts were similar problems with wanting to start after it goes dark - outdoor concerts always have more atmosphere after sunset - so they would run too late and be too noisy. 

Auckland Penguins v Wellington Phoenix, or any other side for that matter, if not afternoon game would kick off 7:35 latest and be done by 9:30

https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/379807/ede...

Under the Auckland Unitary plan, which sets how many events Eden Park can hold, the venue is allowed to hold 25 night events and six concerts a year.

Mr Goff said he's not prepared to just let Eden Park go bust as it's the closest venue New Zealand has to a national stadium.

He said the council could allow Eden Park to host more events each year to generate more revenue, but that idea has its own problems.

"That is an option, not an easy option because Eden Park is situated right in the middle of a residential area.

"Actually to make a stadium pay these days you've got to try to work it 24/7 - you've got to have all sporting codes at it, you've got to have concerts.

"There are problems with them in holding concerts in terms of getting resource consent, they are coming nowhere near the utilisation of the 25 night events and some of the problems go way beyond that as the report points out," Mr Goff said.


So with 6-8 Blues home games, 2 All Black tests, say 4 Auckland ITM Cup rugby night games, 2-3 international cricket ODI & 20/20 games, a 5 day/night cricket test - that would leave about  3-6 nights available for the Auckland Penguins. Problem.

That's not counting the odd Warriors/Kiwis league game at EP. 

As Mayor Goff says you need your stadium to be booked as often as possible, to have the revenue coming in pay costs. Has EP ever hosted a music concert? Thought I read somewhere it hasn't. Madness really if not. The current restrictions are just financial suicide.

When I lived in Brisbane (similar sized city to Akld, and Suncorp similar size stadium to EP), the new Lang Park was always holding music concerts. Doesn't do the playing surface any favours for football, but sure helps to pay the bills. Then you have the Reds (rugby), Broncos (league) & Roar all playing night games with no restrictions at all.

Legend
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coochiee wrote:

ClubOranje wrote:

coochiee wrote:

martinb wrote:

coochiee wrote:

Judean People's Front at war, with the People's Front of Judea.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/centra...

Hopefully some more flexible neighbourly views prevail going forward. Eden Park is a fantastic facility but has been hamstrung in recent times by some very vocal and politically powerful anti local residents. No need for a new national stadium on the waterfront if Eden Park could be used for the reason it was built. 

Aw, nah. They can have a lot of events there. It's used for the rugby and cricket it was designed for.

It's just rugby and cricket local games don't sell tickets. Suspect with the timing there's some astro-turfing with this group. They're showing up late in the piece. 

Well no. The above Stuff article quotes a charity Phil Collins concert being canned, because of objections from local residents. That's just one example. I'm sure other planned events incl concerts, have also had to be canned or taken elsewhere.

NZ Cricket have definitely taken games away from Auckland.

https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/sport/cricket/cric...

"We all would've wanted to play more cricket, more of the India tour at Eden Park, but unfortunately we can't," he said.

"We've got some restrictions around how late they can go."

The ground is essentially unusable because India's bosses and broadcasters want matches to start later in the day, which sees it clash with resource consent Crummy said.

When Eden Park was opened in 1900, Greater Auckland's population was only around 100,000. Incidentally, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin all had quite similar populations at the end of the 19th century! Consider that for a moment.

The needs of Auckland have vastly changed in the last 119 years. It's a city with restrictive geography and an ongoing housing shortage. Bowl over EP, build housing there, and open a new stadium away from residential areas, that's easily accessible by public transport. If it can be done for 'free' as part of some land swap deal, all the better. 

Keeping EP no 2 as a boutique ground, on a small footprint was an idea I had, but may just not be feasible. And if you could still create a good atmosphere at any new stadium, for those games with smaller crowds (15,000 & less) - through clever acoustics, closing top tiers etc - then you just need the new stadium. As long as it's a rectangle!

So called restrictions at Eden Park wouldn't affect it as a football stadium as the times and noise levels would comfortably comply.

The problem with the cricket was they wanted to start later to suit India television audiences, which meant running through to 11:30 ish, which is certainly no fun for residents on a week night, and even weekends for some given it takes a while for the crowd to file out and disperse, and normally noisy after the cricket because you have several thousand people having sat around drinking for six hours.

The concerts were similar problems with wanting to start after it goes dark - outdoor concerts always have more atmosphere after sunset - so they would run too late and be too noisy. 

Auckland Penguins v Wellington Phoenix, or any other side for that matter, if not afternoon game would kick off 7:35 latest and be done by 9:30

https://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/379807/ede...

Under the Auckland Unitary plan, which sets how many events Eden Park can hold, the venue is allowed to hold 25 night events and six concerts a year.

Mr Goff said he's not prepared to just let Eden Park go bust as it's the closest venue New Zealand has to a national stadium.

He said the council could allow Eden Park to host more events each year to generate more revenue, but that idea has its own problems.

"That is an option, not an easy option because Eden Park is situated right in the middle of a residential area.

"Actually to make a stadium pay these days you've got to try to work it 24/7 - you've got to have all sporting codes at it, you've got to have concerts.

"There are problems with them in holding concerts in terms of getting resource consent, they are coming nowhere near the utilisation of the 25 night events and some of the problems go way beyond that as the report points out," Mr Goff said.


So with 6-8 Blues home games, 2 All Black tests, say 4 Auckland ITM Cup rugby night games, 2-3 international cricket ODI & 20/20 games, a 5 day/night cricket test - that would leave about  3-6 nights available for the Auckland Penguins. Problem.

That's not counting the odd Warriors/Kiwis league game at EP. 

As Mayor Goff says you need your stadium to be booked as often as possible, to have the revenue coming in pay costs. Has EP ever hosted a music concert? Thought I read somewhere it hasn't. Madness really if not. The current restrictions are just financial suicide.

When I lived in Brisbane (similar sized city to Akld, and Suncorp similar size stadium to EP), the new Lang Park was always holding music concerts. Doesn't do the playing surface any favours for football, but sure helps to pay the bills. Then you have the Reds (rugby), Broncos (league) & Roar all playing night games with no restrictions at all.

The problem is not Eden Park or the residents. It's broadcasters who have changed sport to a night event for TV viewers and if I recall the first Adelaide (?) day night test had half the crowd under the stands drinking in onsite bars. Go to the sport to not watch, or to glance at a tele.

Stadiums in Auckland are a basket case. But so is a fair slice of pro-sport in general. 

All the famous concerts have been at Western Springs and Mt Smart. Recent ones indoor at Vector. Can't recall anything of musical significance at Eden Park.

Mt Eden, New North Rd, Dom Rd and Sandringham Rd is fairly heavy residential area. Not much park or industrial buffer.

And lets be honest- a football club from with fresh momentum has got to at least compete with the free entry games in the ITM cup! It would be scheduling against the cricket season mostly though- but could be a good double header with local T20 on the outer oval- anyone do both? 

Local broadcast blackouts until the stadiums have sold out for national teams at least is a good idea too. Is the case in Aussie.

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Taken from "National League review and future" thread as getting off topic.

coochiee wrote:

The inclusion of an Auckland team, presumes A League is expanded further to say 16 teams, or more.

So that means 14 Aussie teams, or at least 5 games a week, not involving a Kiwi side. That's one more non-Kiwi weekly game than current.

Look who knows. Unless Morrison is spinning BS, the other A League owners are at least interested in looking at a 2nd team from NZ.

The NLWG if it ends up running the League, wants more income for the clubs not less. I imagine they will consider all options that enable that, whatever they are. Will Fox have the same power, if a NLWG model is running the league. Who really knows.

[quote=el grapadura]

Of course Fox will have power, that's where the $$$ come from. No TV deal = league financial viability almost non-existent. I doubt that the owners of current clubs in Australia are super keen on the expansion for a number of reasons, but they have to embrace it if they want to get support to get to run the league.

As for Morrison's comments about Auckland, I suspect it's little more than a strategic ploy to underscore the potential of the NZ market to those in Australia whi have serious doubts about it (and by extension, doubts about the Nix too).

[quote=reubee]

Having 2 or more NZ teams helps with the TV scheduling. The draw can be arranged so that there is always 1 game in NZ every weekend filling up the first spot in the Fox schedule as well as a permanent spot in the SkyNZ schedule. Look at the Sky Rugby schedule, there is practically always a NZ 7:35pm Friday night and Saturday night game followed by a game in Oz 2 and bit hours later. If there were 4 NZ sides you could achieve something similar.

[quote=el grapadura]

Are you really comparing Super Rugby, with 4 Aus teams in a 16-team competition from 4 different continents, to the A-league?

Re TV Rights money (I see Foxtel's A League contract runs to 2023), is interesting that Telstra paid a whopping $300M to the AFL to broadcast Aussie Rules matches over its Telstra TV service, plus to handsets and digital devices. That's on top of the cash the AFL receives from Fox Sports, and Channel Seven who telecast an average of 3.5 matches per round on free-to-air TV. All 6 year deals.

The NRL have also sold a digital rights package to Telstra. Not sure of the amount.

Now that SBS have been dropped, is Fox the sole broadcaster of A League matches in Australia, ie FFA hasn't sold any free to air games to Channels 7, 9 or 10?  Why haven't they also manged to sell something to Telstra?

Fox Sports seems to have total control of A League coverage, but with the other codes Fox is not the only broadcaster.

Woof Woof
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coochiee wrote:
 

Now that SBS have been dropped, is Fox the sole broadcaster of A League matches in Australia, ie FFA hasn't sold any free to air games to Channels 7, 9 or 10?  Why haven't they also manged to sell something to Telstra?

Fox Sports seems to have total control of A League coverage, but with the other codes Fox is not the only broadcaster.

AFL and NRL games are watched in the hundreds of thousands in Aus, A-league in the tens of thousands (with the occasional big game just creeping into six figures). So guess the demand isn't really there for Telstra or other telcos to fork out a big wad of cash for something that not a lot of people will likely watch.

So guess the challenge is to increase the overall viewership numbers to make deals with other broadcasting partners more viable.

RR
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RR wrote:

Not sure what parallels you can make, but Sydney FC are getting good crowds at Jubilee Oval this season. How many of those are local football fans that would have supported Southern Expansion verus actual current Sydney FC fans who knows. But as a comparison the Nix “home” game verus Sydney at Campbelltown was a complete crowd fizzer. I’m sure there is some at FFA worried they may have made a mistake. Time will tell

Legend
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https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/115029817/new-zealand-crying-out-for-second-aleague-team-says-auckland-city-chairman

There you go from the horse's mouth, money and getting the right stadium the biggest hurdles. 

Though I thought the new CEO at Eden Park, was looking to 'do deals' to get more fixtures of any kind to the ground.

I'd be surprised if either of the two EP games for this Nix this season didn't pull in at least 12K, based on the 22K that turned up in Feb (when yes the Nix were on a roll).

If home crowds were around 12-15K, and were just confined to the lower tiers, I think the atmosphere at Eden Park would be okay for an A League team. That would be pretty much what the Roar nowdays get at Suncorp (of similar size to EP). Take say 2 matches to Hamilton and/or Tauranga each season, when there is a potential clash with another big Auckland event.

Christchurch does tick two big boxes. A rich football tragic, who has openly said he wants to bring an A League team to the Garden City in Slava Meyn. Plus a good size rectangular stadium, that though is pretty shark on a frigid ChCh winter's night, is passable as a sporting venue in the warmer months. And of course a new stadium (likely roofed) will eventually come down there.

However I think NLWG and Fox will just compare the size of the 2 markets and go Auckland every time.

Legend
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Copied from 'Independent A League' thread

MetalLegNZ wrote:

Done right, Auckland would get 15+ to most games imo.

Regarding talent.... there certainly is a lot more coming through so I think we would be able to support more than one team with domestic players.

I personally would love to see people like Reid and Wood get involved in an Auckland bid, both would be at the tail end of their careers, they could come as marquee player coaches... he'll even part owners... i'm just getting cauth up in have a derby dream!!

Doing it right is the big caveat, esp after Knights debacle.

FYI - in 2023 Reid would be age 35, and Wood 31. The latter now part owns a racehorse, so ain't afraid to put some cash into a dead end type investment.

Opinion Privileges revoked
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If Chch gets the franchise instead of Auckland, I'll be just as happy, though I honestly think that many here just don't like Auckland on principle and the Aussie clubs who'd make the decision wouldn't have that prejudice

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Blew.2 wrote:

We're going to revolutionise the A-League, claim club chiefs

But the message from the club bosses who now pull the levers of power is that they will look at anything and everything to lift entertainment levels, make the league more competitive and rebuild its nose-diving metrics.

Referring to expansion, and the possibility of a second team in New Zealand, Fong said: “New Zealand has been a difficult case but we have been very supportive of Wellington and that continues.

“To help Wellington lift their metrics a second New Zealand team needs to be considered."

Auckland football community are you listening?

RR
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RR wrote:

Worries me that they are openly talking about moving the CCM licence to Canberra.  The league already has too many ghosts in the closet (3) for its age and size and does not need another.  

Expansion yes, relocation/renaming no.

RR
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RR
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LG
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2 more teams, giving the League a 14 team league. Play each other 1 X Home & 1 X Away. (26 normal games) Top 4 teams ONLY play a semi - Home & Away game,  the winners play in the Grand final. Simple equation, therefore it won't happen. a possible 29 game season for 2 teams.

Woof Woof
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Lonegunmen wrote:

2 more teams, giving the League a 14 team league. Play each other 1 X Home & 1 X Away. (26 normal games) Top 4 teams ONLY play a semi - Home & Away game,  the winners play in the Grand final. Simple equation, therefore it won't happen. a possible 29 game season for 2 teams.

It's not 2 more teams, it's a lolly scramble for CCM's license. 

LG
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Give them both the opportunity if they have the financials in place.

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Lonegunmen wrote:

Give them both the opportunity if they have the financials in place.

to take CCM's spot if their finances are not up to scratch, not to add another 2 teams to the 12 team league.

WeeNix
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If James Johnson is Ballsy, He'll take both these bids, if they can prove the finances, and build a 14 team league. There have been offers for CCM to stay in CCM also. 

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pierre wrote:

If James Johnson is Ballsy, He'll take both these bids, if they can prove the finances, and build a 14 team league. There have been offers for CCM to stay in CCM also. 

I think a 14 team league would be a better sell to broadcasters and advertisers/sponsors then another defunct team, especially at this point it time.  

We really can't afford to lose CCM, they are a family team of battlers like us and the Jets.   Plus we need a team that we can be assured of getting 6+ points a season from!    ;-)

RR
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this can only be good for the league right? assuming the FFA don't fudge it up.

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theprof wrote:

this can only be good for the league right? assuming the FFA don't fudge it up.

Yep, and add an Auckland team while we're at it. Definitely need to find a way to expand from the present small number of clubs, even if it would be happening in tough times.   

Woof Woof
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scribbler wrote:

theprof wrote:

this can only be good for the league right? assuming the FFA don't fudge it up.

Yep, and add an Auckland team while we're at it. Definitely need to find a way to expand from the present small number of clubs, even if it would be happening in tough times.   

I'm not sure that given the current economic times, the league expansion is such a great idea. If anything, making sure that none of the current 12 clubs topple over in the next 12 months should be the main priority.

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el grapadura wrote:

scribbler wrote:

theprof wrote:

this can only be good for the league right? assuming the FFA don't fudge it up.

Yep, and add an Auckland team while we're at it. Definitely need to find a way to expand from the present small number of clubs, even if it would be happening in tough times.   

I'm not sure that given the current economic times, the league expansion is such a great idea. If anything, making sure that none of the current 12 clubs topple over in the next 12 months should be the main priority.

nah, if there are some rich people out there wanting to invest in new clubs then we have to encourage them. We can't keep the league small just to protect a club with an owner who doesnt really want to be here. If an owner cant sell his club now, when there are celarly interested parties wanting to get involved then that is their problem. Letting new clubs in is the way forward, protecting existing clubs with handouts etc is not gonna keep the league running.

Woof Woof
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theprof wrote:

el grapadura wrote:

scribbler wrote:

theprof wrote:

this can only be good for the league right? assuming the FFA don't fudge it up.

Yep, and add an Auckland team while we're at it. Definitely need to find a way to expand from the present small number of clubs, even if it would be happening in tough times.   

I'm not sure that given the current economic times, the league expansion is such a great idea. If anything, making sure that none of the current 12 clubs topple over in the next 12 months should be the main priority.

nah, if there are some rich people out there wanting to invest in new clubs then we have to encourage them. We can't keep the league small just to protect a club with an owner who doesnt really want to be here. If an owner cant sell his club now, when there are celarly interested parties wanting to get involved then that is their problem. Letting new clubs in is the way forward, protecting existing clubs with handouts etc is not gonna keep the league running.

Replacing CCM is one thing. New clubs coming on board means that the now much smaller cake has to be cut into even smaller pieces. The smaller pieces make the already struggling clubs fall over. Enough of them fall over, the league falls over, and the rich guys goes to buy a new plaything somewhere else, and we're left twiddling our thumbs. No thanks.

Legend
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new clubs bring new money, and new negotiating power for TV deals...with the FFA out of the way then negotiation should be easier cos we dont have them taking their cut

but I do agree we dont need 4/5 clubs falling over at once (but I dont see that happening)

Woof Woof
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theprof wrote:

new clubs bring new money, and new negotiating power for TV deals...with the FFA out of the way then negotiation should be easier cos we dont have them taking their cut

but I do agree we dont need 4/5 clubs falling over at once (but I dont see that happening)

I like your optimism.

Legend
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being hopeful is the only way to be, so much better than being negative and expecting doom and gloom

and 1 other
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Moved this chat from Nix 2021/2022 Squad Speculation thread. As yes way off topic. But the optimistic chat about an Auckland A League side, can get folks carried away!
martinb
Napier Phoenix
Yes, the annual 20g game in Auckland would be replaced with 20,000 in both Wellington and Auckland.
AucklandPhoenix
I understand the concern but with the exception of a 20k crowd at eden park for the nix once a year, I think the advantages would out strip that- if nothing else demonstrates in both the a league and the rugby comp, local derbies are the life blood. Many years after the kingz and the knights I think Auckland is mature and big enough 


I don’t think it should be an all encompassing Auckland team. Maybe an Eastern or Waitak or Manukau or Northern  or Central team, with some home games at Nth Shore or Eden Park instead of wherever. It has to have a local identity within Auckland I’d say to really tap into parochial spirit. Especially if it takes root, because then you may get a second Auckland team at 2 mill population and in 10-15 years or so…

That doesn't really make alot of sense in the present. Comparable sized city teams like Perth, Adelaide or Brisbane don't focus on any one part of the city - whilst they are still one city sides. You'd surely just give an Auckland team a generic name like Auckland United, to tap into the city as a whole, needing every fan you can get when you start up from scratch.

Then sure in 10-15 years time you may get a 2nd Auckland team, if the A League expands to say 20 teams, or a financially viable strong 2nd division is up & running. The harbour bridge and North Shore/North Harbour is always a pretty natural split for sporting teams out of the greater 09. But that's all dreamland stuff for now.
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Where are they based then? Eden Park would be annoying as a regular stadium because it’s too big. Albany is a decentish stadium. But far North. Mt Smart also away from the center. There’s the Trust’s stadium Lincoln road way. Miles out. Also not quite A league ready. Or is there a chance to build something boutique around the ground in Ellerslie-Panmure or where Central play at Kiwitea? 
I was thinking- where are they guna play and how are people guna get there. Can you muster 5K or more core fans from a fifteen minute drive or 2 public transport stages? 
I don’t think you want your team financially dependent on people traveling 50 minutes or more to your games, though many will.
The city stretches so far in so many directions I honestly don’t think a simple Auckland United type team is the approach. But risky every way I guess. 
Geez. Did Uffie make it back to training yet?
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martinb
Where are they based then? Eden Park would be annoying as a regular stadium because it’s too big. Albany is a decentish stadium. But far North. Mt Smart also away from the center. There’s the Trust’s stadium Lincoln road way. Miles out. Also not quite A league ready. Or is there a chance to build something boutique around the ground in Ellerslie-Panmure or where Central play at Kiwitea? 
I was thinking- where are they guna play and how are people guna get there. Can you muster 5K or more core fans from a fifteen minute drive or 2 public transport stages? 
I don’t think you want your team financially dependent on people traveling 50 minutes or more to your games, though many will.
The city stretches so far in so many directions I honestly don’t think a simple Auckland United type team is the approach. But risky every way I guess. 
Geez. Did Uffie make it back to training yet?
Eden park whilst massive for a single a-league club would do ok for an Auckland team. Ideally I'd love to see a situation where we have at least 3 NZ teams, Wellington, Auckland and Christchurch, perhaps even a Dunedin team Obv 10+ years away)
Legend
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martinb
Where are they based then? Eden Park would be annoying as a regular stadium because it’s too big. Albany is a decentish stadium. But far North. Mt Smart also away from the center. There’s the Trust’s stadium Lincoln road way. Miles out. Also not quite A league ready. Or is there a chance to build something boutique around the ground in Ellerslie-Panmure or where Central play at Kiwitea? 
I was thinking- where are they guna play and how are people guna get there. Can you muster 5K or more core fans from a fifteen minute drive or 2 public transport stages? 
I don’t think you want your team financially dependent on people traveling 50 minutes or more to your games, though many will.
The city stretches so far in so many directions I honestly don’t think a simple Auckland United type team is the approach. But risky every way I guess. 
Geez. Did Uffie make it back to training yet?

Based on the stadiums that currently exist in Auckland, would be madness to base any new A League team at anywhere but Eden Park. It's been a proven success last few years for Nix games. Pretty much equidistant, North, South, East & West. Well set up with public transport esp train stations. Heap of good bars/resturants in Kingsland for getting in mood pre & post match. Eden Park CEO keen to attract as many events as possible, and apparently offering good ground rental deals.

Though it's far from a perfect rectangle, I find sitting in the North Stand you feel you are pretty close to the action. Atmosphere there for last 3-4 Nix games seems to have been excellent, helped by mostly making only that stand open to spectators, ie closing off South Stand.

I'd be optimistic enough to say that an average home crowd range of 15-20K could be possible, in the novelty first season of an Auckland team. Even over 30K for a super hyped Nix verus Auckland game, played in that late Jan-early Feb sweet spot, really playing on that Welly & Auckland rivalry.

But that would all depend on getting a shark right on & off the field. Some big name Kiwi signings, like a 33 year old Chris Wood, and/or 36 yr old Michael Boxall. Maybe Europe doesn't work out for a homesick Sapreet Singh, and he comes back to his home city. Samoan parentage local boy Bill Tuiloma. Throw in a few Gary Hooper/Steven Taylor level visa players. Maybe a signing from China/Korea to try tap into Auckland's large Asian population. Uncovering another Krishna somewhere in the Islands.

Then you need some immediate success (a few wins), an authentic Yellow Fever equivalent fan group, and a not too wet Auckland summer - and well it won't be a Western United flop. Perhaps you can get the APL/FFA to ensure Nix and Auckland always play each other in a first round FFA Cup game as well, to kick off pre season. Everything to maximise crowds for the hyped derby.

But yeah after novelty season 1, if you can have sustainable financial model based on average crowds around 10-12K (you might even average higher longer term), Auckland has a long lasting A League team 2nd time around. 
Legend
11K
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21K
·
almost 9 years
The stadiums in Auckland have been under review (Auckland Council), last few years I understand. The change most often talked is moving speedway out of Western Springs, and coverting the ground into a cricket venue.

It is crazy that New Zealand's biggest city by far, doesn't have a purpose built leafy cricket ground, aka Seddon Park, Bay Oval, Basin, Hagley & University Oval. If cricket (specifically test cricket & Auckland domestic cricket) ever did leave Eden Park for Western Springs - then that could free up Eden Park No 2 over the summer months. Auckland pretty much play all their home domestic cricket at EP No 2. Moving to W Springs means converting EP No 2 to a purpose built rectangle winter sports ground, of say 15K capacity would then make some sense. Bit like Cardiff has the Millenium Stadium (80,000), plus Cardiff Arms Park (12,000) next door.

EP No 2 as a boutique 15,000 seater ground would be perfect for an Auckland A League team & Auckland NPC rugby. Even some Blues Super Rugby games against low profile Aussie teams could be moved there from the main ground.

The other change to Auckland's stadia talked about alot (though quiet of late), is demolishing Eden Park for housing and building a flash new approx 55-60,000 seater Waterfront Stadium. One model was that the new Waterfront Stadium would have 2 tiers of about 30,000 each. For All Blacks rugby tests, music concerts and the like whole ground is open. But for say Warriors, Blues or an A League team you just have the lower tier open to create some atmosphere. I think BC Place in Vancouver (where Whitecaps play in MLS) has a setup like that. The lower tier can even be moved closer to the pitch for greater atmosphere, when upper tier is not being used. Something like that.

So that could be a home for an Auckland A team if it was ever built. But yeah talk about that seems to have gone quiet lately. Eden Park finally being approved for 4? concerts a year, will have helped it's long term financial viability and dampened some of the talk about need for a shiny billion dollar structure down on the waterfront.
Legend
6.8K
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14K
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over 16 years
I think that the EP number two maybe on much too expensive real estate to be a small rectangle. Still would be a great option. Not a ready to go now one mind. The waterfront stadium is even further away as a hope. 

I personally love the chat about the numbers, but I’d be happier seeing the option of another 25K type stadium with finals and derbies at Eden Park to ensure the club’s viability through any lean times. 
I also don’t completely trust Eden Park as they are a political football with a lot of debt. They are happy to have us now, but Eden Park is a premier international rugby stadium and we’d understandably be lower in the pecking order. Add to that international cricket and drop in pitches. 

Anyway, I’d also like to see Messi in a Nix shirt to replace Uli while we’re talking about things that aren’t happening any time soon.
Starting XI
550
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2.4K
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over 14 years
It would be the only expansion that makes sense besides Canberra but it would be bigger and better. Everything is already laid out for the club this time around.

Legend
8K
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14K
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over 16 years
I know logic never plays a part in these decisions and Canberra have a women's team which stands them in good stead to get a mens team too. But the possible fanbase is only 460k+ people across 815sqm. Similar to Wellington 471k people across 444sqm and we average under 10k fans per game. Auckland is 1086sqm with 1.63m people. Christchurch has 400k people over 1400sqm. Out of all of those the most obvious pool of fans is Auckland.

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