Auckland City FC - Thanks a Trillion

I agree with Reg. I does prepare players for a higher level of football but in most cases, its just over to Aussie state league. To be honest, those players SHOULD be able to play state league so I think the list is not as good as you make it to be. George Babourouses is over there and he was not exactly a stand out for TW. I also re-read your statement and you said it showed the league in good light. I read that wrong and that's a far different statement that I implied you said 'shows our league is quality'. I think it does show our league in good light when you look of the amount of players that transition between here and AU and allow them to live as professional *cough* footballers.

So lets analyse it

Aaron Clapham - State league

Brent Fisher - If he hadn't got done drink driving he would be in Europe still but I believe he is State league

Jason Hayne - not sure State league

Jeff Fleming - when did he play ASBP? - State league

Ryan De Vries - State league

Dakota Lucas - State League

Michael Eager - not sure where

Kris Bright - can he stay more than 6 weeks in any one league. If he was good enough I suspect yes.

Kayne Vincent - India? Berlanga was a superstar over there so the quality of leagues is comparable. Not really a good example.

Andrew Milne - came back from Rangers to play ASBP so not applicable.

Maksim Manko - Had a couple months in South America but largely was not a feature in the ASBP so has he gone to a better level of football just because its overseas?

Cole Peverley - USDL and came back.

I would say Michael Eager and Cole Peverly fit the description and if Alex cracks it then he would too because Fortuna 95 is a decent step up from here. The others, I think we can have a healthy debate over.

Jeff Fleming played for Canterbury Utd in 1st 2 seasons at least maybe longer 

eagar's playing in the VPL

i'm not convinced that costa rica is any better than here to be honest, other than the fact that it's professional of course.  the standard of the various costa rican players that i've seen over the years has not been super spectacular and a lot of those dudes came out of the top league.

Now Feneridis has a trial by MSV Duisburg(German third league).

The coach from Düsseldorf says that he isn´t good enough for league 2 and a contract is impossible.

Duisburg is more probable as Düsseldorf because they have only 18 players in her team and search for 7 more in three weaks.

Hiw did he end up with a trial anyway?

Those who played in ASBP and are now in the A league would have to count too. They're more likely to get picked up by A league clubs and even more so by the phoenix as it is easier for them to be scouted through ASBP or aussie state leagues - they may then go on to bigger things, Marco Rojas I suppose could be an example of this. 

Any footballer who goes through ASBP and into a pro side does show the league in a good light as a pathway to professional football. That has to be the aim for a (largely) amateur league. 

Chris Wood, Ian Hogg?

andreu - ended up at racing santander

Rojas, Barbarouses, Brockie also had stints in the ASBP before moving to the A League. In fact if you look at it the national league has been a pretty good development zone for NZ players who have moved on to professional contracts. Without it would these players have been able to make the step up? That's why I'm a huge supporter of the ASBP, I just wish NZF felt the same.

Phoenix to play City - 28th Sept...

... Gutted - I can't make it.

This.

+1.

ACFC can't lose (as I'm sure RH realised). Get trashed and it's 'well, we're only amateurs v pros' - like the Nix reserves 7-0 win over Waitak b4 they left for the World Club Cup a few years ago. Win, and it'll be the ACFC supporters crowing 'we told you so'. Draw, and 'you're not such hot shit, eh?'. However it's still a game worth playing just to find out le difference, finally. As of now. And you've got to say, as a game between the two best teams in NZ, it's long overdue. I only wish the ACFC team that dealt to CCM 3-1 two years ago could also have played the Nix. Ivan made the suggestion. Ricki pulled out.

*deliberate troll* (or those with a bit of humour

This is the form responses being printed for the knitting circle as we speak

Strong Nix v Strong ACFC - win to nix = Excuse: Well you are Pros, you should win
Strong Nix v Strong ACFC - win to ACFC = We're the 5th best team in the world blah blah
Strong Nix v Weak ACFC - win to nix = Excuse: it was not our top side
Strong Nix v Weak ACFC - win to ACFC = We're the 5th best team in the world blah blah
Weak Nix v Strong ACFC - win to nix = Excuse: You've had a long preseason
Weak Nix v Strong ACFC - win to ACFC  = We're the 5th best team in the world blah blah
Weak Nix v Weak ACFC - win to nix = Excuse: You've had a long preseason
Weak Nix v Weak ACFC - win to ACFC = We're the 5th best team in the world blah blah

The Phoenix fans response
ACFC win = well done, good luck to you. WTF is up with our team, we don't know what we're doing, its Lochheads fault
Nix win = Stick that up ya knitters. Ernie is on track. Ricki would not have gotten that result.

News response.

Meh.

over reaction ...I think...

Fair point.

News reponse.

It'll be a cracking game and ignoring JV's comments I think the City fans will take whatever the result is with good grace (well most of them). The odds have to favour the Phoenix but at least it's at Kiwitea Street and you never know...It's a game that has been long overdue and City did try to organize it in the past. It's certainly good preparation for a tough season ahead for ACFC and I'll be very interested to see the new Nix. Hope any travelling YF fans pop up to the club bar afterwards for a drink with the City supporters. Look forward to seeing you guys.

Love it! Forms to be handed out at the gate please. BTW crowd limit of Kiwitea seems to set at 3,500 (as per safety regs for the City v Ba match last season). Last 2 times Nix appeared in Auckland they got 18,000 and 11,000 or thereabouts. So what's the ticket procedure this time guys? Cookie?

PS It would of course be entirely appropriate for you to be the one handing out the forms Jeff.  Discreetly of course.

He he he he of course mate

Hearing that you lot have snapped up Eder Franchini from Wanderers, which is interesting because I wasn't sure he'd be starting for WaiBOP this year. Will be a handy squad player but can't see him starting, if this news its true. 

Agree but does speak Spanish...

Looks like Gustavo won't be back this season, he is now playing back in Spain for CD Ourense in Segunda B (3rd tier) according to his twitter

things are unusually quiet in terms of official releases from acfc

Probably because GGW has been in Scotland

Ticket sales for Auckland City FC’s pre-season fixture with the Wellington Phoenix at Kiwitea Street on Saturday 28 September 2013 commence this Thursday. Full details below:

http://www.aucklandcityfc.com/news/article.asp?ID=714

Auckland City FC ?@AucklandCity_FC
NEWS | Navy Blues snare Fiji striker as Roy Krishna signs for @AucklandCity_FC #NavyBlues http://bit.ly/15EIT7a pic.twitter.com/Eddgo0gXq1

Heard a rumour yesterday that all the Spaniards have been let go after a new person took over the books at ACFC and saw how much they were being paid. Anyone else heard that?

Hmm... well Manel and Gustavo have gone to pro clubs overseas they wouldn't have been back anyway. That only leaves Pedro and Albert, and Pedro barely featured last season so it wouldn't be a surprise if he was let go...

Ok. Well as I said, it was a rumour. Cheers.

if the rumor extended to 'spanish speaking' players, then you could rope tade in to that group as well

and even though exposito and souto have already gone, you couldn't necessarily assume that the rumor isn't dead.  after all, i assume they were here in lieu of other opportunities in the first place, especially souto.  so if the ACFC offer was reduced, those other opportunities may have become more appealing.

John Irving signs with Auckland City. Massive coup, will be superb for you lot, enjoy.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/sport/9140389/John-Irving-signs-with-Auckland-City

He sounds like he has the right attitude. Naturalisation and represent NZ. I would say he would want to have a strong season and then possibly look to something with the Phoenix.

Agree