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Auckland City FC - Thanks a Trillion

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Posted February 20, 2023 00:04 · last edited February 20, 2023 00:15

Maaaaaaatt
20 Legend
Didn't Howieson trial at the Phoenix not long ago and went no where?

I always feel like a good yard stick for this conversation is that Tade, at 34, is still Auckland's stand out player. He'd have no hope in the A-league these days.

> Reid Drake, Ilich, Van Heijer, De Vries would also handle the step up reasonably I think

I totally disagree. I like Drake but he barely stands out in NZ. Ilich, the square ball king, would get totally found out against proper midfielders. De Vries perhaps 3 years ago but not these days.
I may be confusing Howieson with someone else but I seem to recall in the past couple years;
- A player from ACFC was offended that they were offered a trial rather than being presented a contract without a trial
- A player from ACFC trialled but didn't want to move to Wellington.
From memory one of these was Howieson, but I may be completely wrong (it has been known to happen). 

It's well known Howieson doesn't want to move to Welly. He's good enough for the ALM.

Was also some noise that Payne was sent a trial invite by email, which he found a bit of an insult. Some story like that. I think it was in that messy 2018 off season after Kalezić was sacked and pre Rudan being appointed. Payne was signed by Talay a year later.

I imagine a new Auckland ALM team, would sign a few domestic NZ players. But would get most of it's non Visa players from Kiwis overseas, Aussies overseas, players at other ALM clubs (incl maybe couple Nix players to add some spice), and the NPL.

Could see them targeting Wood, M Boxall (if not too old) and Tuiloma as big name Kiwi signings to kick things off. One of those as the initial captain. Tuiloma being an Auckland Samoan boy a smart PR move. The Boxalls are half Samoan as well, though Michael is already 34 - might be too old by the time an Auckland team ever happened, even prior Pragnell's hoped 2026 timeline.


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Unknown editor edited February 20, 2023 00:15
Maaaaaaatt
20 Legend
Didn't Howieson trial at the Phoenix not long ago and went no where?

I always feel like a good yard stick for this conversation is that Tade, at 34, is still Auckland's stand out player. He'd have no hope in the A-league these days.

> Reid Drake, Ilich, Van Heijer, De Vries would also handle the step up reasonably I think

I totally disagree. I like Drake but he barely stands out in NZ. Ilich, the square ball king, would get totally found out against proper midfielders. De Vries perhaps 3 years ago but not these days.
I may be confusing Howieson with someone else but I seem to recall in the past couple years;
- A player from ACFC was offended that they were offered a trial rather than being presented a contract without a trial
- A player from ACFC trialled but didn't want to move to Wellington.
From memory one of these was Howieson, but I may be completely wrong (it has been known to happen). 

It's well known Howieson doesn't want to move to Welly. He's good enough for the ALM.

Was also some noise that Payne was sent a trial invite by email, which he found a bit of an insult. Some story like that. I think it was in that messy 2018 off season after Kalezić was sacked and pre Rudan being appointed. Payne was signed by Talay a year later.

I imagine a new Auckland ALM team, would sign a few domestic NZ players. But would get most of it's non Visa players from Kiwis overseas, Aussies overseas, players at other ALM clubs (incl maybe couple Nix players to add some spice), and the NPL.

Could see them targeting Wood, M Boxall (if not too old) and Tuiloma as big name Kiwi signings to kick things off. One of those as the initial captain. 

Unknown editor edited February 20, 2023 00:10
Maaaaaaatt
20 Legend
Didn't Howieson trial at the Phoenix not long ago and went no where?

I always feel like a good yard stick for this conversation is that Tade, at 34, is still Auckland's stand out player. He'd have no hope in the A-league these days.

> Reid Drake, Ilich, Van Heijer, De Vries would also handle the step up reasonably I think

I totally disagree. I like Drake but he barely stands out in NZ. Ilich, the square ball king, would get totally found out against proper midfielders. De Vries perhaps 3 years ago but not these days.
I may be confusing Howieson with someone else but I seem to recall in the past couple years;
- A player from ACFC was offended that they were offered a trial rather than being presented a contract without a trial
- A player from ACFC trialled but didn't want to move to Wellington.
From memory one of these was Howieson, but I may be completely wrong (it has been known to happen). 

It's well known Howieson doesn't want to move to Welly. He's good enough for the ALM.

Was also some noise that Payne was sent a trial invite by email, which he found a bit of an insult. Some story like that. I think it was in that messy 2018 off season after Kalezić was sacked and pre Rudan being appointed. Payne was signed by Talay a year later.
Unknown editor edited February 20, 2023 00:05
Maaaaaaatt
20 Legend
Didn't Howieson trial at the Phoenix not long ago and went no where?

I always feel like a good yard stick for this conversation is that Tade, at 34, is still Auckland's stand out player. He'd have no hope in the A-league these days.

> Reid Drake, Ilich, Van Heijer, De Vries would also handle the step up reasonably I think

I totally disagree. I like Drake but he barely stands out in NZ. Ilich, the square ball king, would get totally found out against proper midfielders. De Vries perhaps 3 years ago but not these days.
I may be confusing Howieson with someone else but I seem to recall in the past couple years;
- A player from ACFC was offended that they were offered a trial rather than being presented a contract without a trial
- A player from ACFC trialled but didn't want to move to Wellington.
From memory one of these was Howieson, but I may be completely wrong (it has been known to happen). 

It's well known Howieson doesn't want to move to Welly. He's good enough for the ALM.

Was also some noise that Payne was sent a trial invite by email, which he found a bit of an insult. Some story like that. I think it was in that messy off season after Kalezić was sacked and pre Rudan being appointed. He was signed by Talay a year later.