Big Bill Harris on Big NZFC Bucks
Normo's coming home
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Speaking of big money, fans will have choked on their breakfast last week when they read that Auckland City paid $300,000 on their team this year. Captain Ivan Vicelic, according to the report, is paid $50,000 to play in the 14 game NZFC season (plus playoffs), while Korean Ki-Hyung "the Cannon Shooter" Lee gets $70,000 for his troubles. You can bet, too, that Spaniard Xavi Roca didn't come all this way for the scenery.
Technically, of course, the players aren't paid to play. They're employed to do other jobs, and play for free. But clearly the two are inextricably linked. Could Ki-Hyung Lee play for Manawatu in the NZFC and keep his $70,000 job? Of course not. No play for Auckland City, no pay.
Is there a problem with that? If Auckland City are awash with dosh, and they want to employ people they feel will enhance their team, good luck to them. They're competing for a place at the World Club championships, and with it a prize of a million dollars. Go for it.
Is it Auckland's problem if other franchises in the NZFC are so short of funds that they can't enter teams in the national youth league? If Otago, Canterbury, Wellington, Manawatu or Waikato had to pull out, thereby scuppering youth football, the future of our sport? Is it Auckland's problem that those same areas are so strapped that their senior teams are also in doubt, putting our flagship competition, the NZFC, in danger?
Is it Auckland's problem if there's no national league and we return to a mickey mouse regional system, which will reduce the standard, and drag the top teams down with it? Is it their problem if they win whatever half-arsed competition we have, go to the world champs and, soft from lack of serious competition, fail to put up a decent fight against the world's best? If Sepp Blatter, already teetering on the edge, decides New Zealand isn't worth a place there and we lose the million bucks?
FIFA's motto is "for the good of the game". For the good of the game in New Zealand, you gotta wonder if there isn't a better use for that $300,000.
Normo's coming home
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It's the money in Auckland and both franchises poaching the best talent from the rest of the country that has contributed to making this season's NZFC the debarcle it was. The sooner we sort out the inequities the better. What about a player draft like USA sports?
berger15
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I hate Auckland City but good on them for being so will managed (add Waitake to that to) and successful that they have that sort of $$ to spend.
I wish we could boast about those sort of dollars here in Wellington but all we get is Team Wellington that isnt supported by the majority of clubs becasue they are so inward looking they would rather spend money on chasing a Central League/Premier League title that brings no monetary reward. Good on Auckland City for picking up the dollars that go with making the world club champs.
A dog with a bone :)
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Akld /Waitak are successful cos they have had Trusts in their back pocket. End of.
Founder
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Thanks for your thoughts lads. I might add that Auckland City do not have the support of clubs from the region. They are only representing central United and it is the money the Croatian communityput into the club that keeps them competitive. Waitakere on the other hand are an amalgamation in theory, but again in practice are only Waitakere City, the play thing of Rex Dawkins. at least Wellington has tried to make a Team that is representative of the region. The sooner we limit the rapaciousness of the two Auckland clubs, the better the league will be.
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Thats just BS. How can dumbing down a league make it better. Its up to the other franchises to step up to the the mark.
sh*t I hate sticking up for those Auckland bastards 
A dog with a bone :)
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So you are anti the A-Leauge salary cap too Nightz?
Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.
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The NZFC is obviously broken. There's no point being in the best two clubs with all the money in a competition that is no more. Changes need to be made I'm afraid.
I let my guitar speak for me
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The clubs with all the money are always gonna win...
hmmm sounds like other leagues round the world I've heard of
hmmm sounds like other leagues round the world I've heard of
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So you are anti the A-Leauge salary cap too Nightz?
No, its there for a good reason.
Are you suggesting a salary cap for then NZFC? Remember its a amatuer comp.
Also, good to see Auckland FC got to play in front of 20,000 yesterday, pity they dont get a quarter of that at home.
A dog with a bone :)
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The nix only got that a couple of times so we can't complain about aucklands crowds.
Is it fair Aucland has all that money, yes, they go out and get or are given it, would any club say no, invest it into the game??
Also, should, through luck and maybe one or two of these paid players Auckland win a game at the club world champs the prize money the win goes significantly up. Prize money which is split with some of the proceeds going to NZ football and the other franchises.
And when these other NZFC clubs recieve their share, will they say no, or course not. They will take it and use it, just as uckland has with their money.
Bunch of whingers,
p.s. I am a Waikato supporter, so if any supporters / clubs should be pissed it should be us!
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Also, good to see Auckland FC got to play in front of 20,000 yesterday, pity they dont get a 1/40th of that at home.
Fixed.
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So you are anti the A-Leauge salary cap too Nightz?
No, its there for a good reason.
Are you suggesting a salary cap for then NZFC? Remember its a amatuer comp.
Also, good to see Auckland FC got to play in front of 20,000 yesterday, pity they dont get a quarter of that at home.
Hang on?
Some dude says we should "limit the rapaciousness (read: big spending) of the Auckland clubs.
You say "that's BS"
But you're okay with it in the A League because that's a professional competition?
Eh???
Incredible stamina. No shame. Yellow Fever.
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The nix only got that a couple of times so we can't complain about aucklands crowds.
It was the away leg. 20,000 Solomon Islanders showed up to the match in Honiara.
So yeah, Auckland still has nothing on Wellington
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True, Auckland has nothing on Wellington, but didn't the Kingz get decent crowds at the start aswell.
Where will our crowds be in another two years if we fail to make the play off's?
However the main focus of this was, is it unfair Auckland pay its players so much, i say yes, see earlier post whilst others say no...e.g. Dean.
Would like to read more thoughts on this.
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I think the biggest issue, as Greenie alluded to, is the amount that ACFC and Waitakere have received in funding from the community trusts that allowed them to put together sides to compete at the CWC. Have a look at their books at www.societies.govt.nz, you'll see that the amount of external funding is small in comparison to the grant money. james dean2009-04-27 23:14:52
Normo's coming home
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I think the biggest issue, as Greenie alluded to, is the amount that ACFC and Waitakere have received in funding from the community trusts that allowed them to put together sides to compete at the CWC. Have a look at their books at www.societies.govt.nz, you'll see that the amount of external funding is small in comparison to the grant money.
Absolutely...lets cut everyone down too our size...thatll improve everything...dont you have trusts down there ? Why dont you go for a drive , a long one off a short pier ,I hope.. remember
ITS SOMEONE ELSES FAULT!
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It's the money in Auckland and both franchises poaching the best talent from the rest of the country that has contributed to making this season's NZFC the debarcle it was. The sooner we sort out the inequities the better. What about a player draft like USA sports?
berger15
No its crap franchises not reading the small print , and being as competant as a kid with his first pocket money, that made this seasons farce ...that and NZFs superior leadership !
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Uncloz...
Ban the bloody pokies, take from the poor and line your pockets...
Blood money...
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Uncloz...
Ban the bloody pokies, take from the poor and line your pockets...
Blood money...
Im unsure of what you want me to do Dino,
but surely parting the cook strait and feeding the masses is in there somewhere .....I dont see any pokie money lining my pockets , if you want too do it ,and it doesnt hurt others , go for it any thing else is either communism (do what we do)
or Fascism ( do what we say ) either way Im agin it.., didnt Anzac day teach you bone heads anything ?
Remember....
ITS SOMEONE ELSES FAULT !
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Even you said it's someone elses fault:
NZFs superior leadership
Hard News2009-04-28 14:07:34
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A very good rant....
The Pokies are easy money. Apart from asking the politicians to ban the machines and not using them what else can you do?
I blame the education system, Teachers are a strange breed..
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We are a strange breed, but we blame the parents, a very ignorant breed of species. Loved the ANZAC rant though, who knew that the sacrifice the ANZAC'S made would pave the way for a successful NZFC.
If only we had heeded their lessons
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UncleOz, I'm certainly not anti-auckland...see the blog I wrote below prior to the beginning of the season. But the Auckland teams now have such an advantage that if they aren't careful there won't be anyone to play against. They have set the standard, the problem is that there are limited financial resources available for them to improve, especially when semi pro clubs are spending large amounts but still taking a large amount of money from the trusts, which is supposed to be for amateur sport. What do you actually suggest the other franchises do to improve (taking into account that success generated by the NZD500,000 that flows north every year is self fulfilling)?
The consistent fascination with the concept of the so called big four in England is an increasingly irritating fact of the Premiership - Hull City�s recent inclusion in the elite is a welcome interlude from the identity of the usual protagonists. But north of the border, the usual procession that is the Scottish Premier League has kicked of without fanfare on Fleet Street.
Despite passionate fans, a genuine resurgence of young Scottish talent and the presence of Rangers in the final of the UEFA Cup earlier this year, the competition rarely resonates outside Scotland other than the Old Firm derbies.
I�m no expert in Scottish football beyond the musings of various London based scribes who report � with very much an us and them attitude � on the latest goings on in the city of Glasgow.
But I don�t think I�m overstretching myself when I say that having bounced back from overspending in the 90s, and the collapse of ITV digital, Celtic and Rangers are once again dominating the competition in Scotland.
Two clubs, coffers swollen by frequent appearances in European club competition, steamrolling the competition in a two horse race � sound familiar?
The recent scaling back of the 2008/2009 NZFC season is another disappointing chapter in the various iterations of the national league in New Zealand. Even in my (relatively) brief lifetime at least four different versions have been played out with the only consistency being a familiar conclusion.
And blame for the most recent failures, manifested in Waikato scaling back operations to bare bones and last year�s losing finalist Team Wellington limping across the starting line, is being laid, by some at least, at the door of the league�s two most successful clubs, Auckland City and Waitakere United.
Similar to Scotland, two well funded clubs have dominated, cherry picking the best players from their less prosperous rivals. Their fans have even attempted a cringe-worthy comparison to the old firm rivalry.
Auckland City and Waitakere, for those of you who have better things to do on a Sunday than watch domestic football (although I have long argued that there is little better value for $7 than a sunny afternoon at Newtown Park) have between them won all 4 NZFC titles. But more importantly, both have represented Oceania at the Club World Championship, where a substantial prize money of US$500,000 is awarded merely for turning up.
While some of the money is shared between the players and staff, the league and the other franchises, undoubtedly this has led to a concentration of footballing power and financial clout in Auckland as a result of the influx of cash.
But blaming Auckland City and Waitakere for the failings of the league completely misses the point. They should be feted rather than criticised. Both have from day one been ruthless and professional, and as a result, successful.
Although aided by subsequent success, City initially assembled a squad with an eye on competing on all fronts and have been proactive, imaginative and impressive in their recruitment, with recent arrivals Ivan Vicelich and Xavi Roca complementing South Korean international Lee Ki-Hyung.
Waitakere brought Australian Shannon Cole out in 2005 (now playing for Sydney FC and recently selected in the Socceroos squad) and latched onto the failure of the Knights to rebuild after their one poor season, recruiting Darren Bazeley and Neil Emblen who have found the NZFC more to their level. Although boosted by their CWC windfalls, it is both clubs� bold strategies that led to such success in the first place. What is the preference, that all franchises sign poor quality players and the league remains stuck in a rut?
Clearly there are problems with the financial position of the league and the franchises themselves. Because there are no TV rights, league sponsor or prize money, the only income streams for the franchises are match day revenues (limited due to generally small crowds), sponsorships (limited due to the lack of exposure) and essentially donations, whether from gambling trusts, local clubs or wealthy benefactors (which are now drying up).
There is little that a well run franchise can do to match the income levels supplemented by competition in the Club World Championship. But to stay competitive costs money, and as usual, that is in short supply in New Zealand domestic football. Developing further sources of funding for all franchises is the only way forward.
Since tobacco sponsorship was outlawed in 1995 New Zealand Football has never had a corporate sponsor of the national league. NZF hyped the NZFC as a pathway to professionalism with better stadiums and better standards - �the new name for the global game�. But four years in and the crucial elements that the league�s administrators are responsible for, making inroads into television exposure, marketing the league to a wider audience and generating sponsorship are back to the levels they were in 1999 � virtually non-existent.
Of course it is a tough sell and domestic football has always struggled to penetrate in New Zealand. But that doesn�t mean that something can�t be done - the sooner the running of the league is handed over to the stake holders, the franchises themselves, the better. It is in their interests to succeed where NZF have consistently tried and failed. Crowds are still counted in the hundreds, there is very little marketing beyond that generated by the franchises themselves and the league is almost completely reliant on gaming trust sponsorship.
The fact that we are now looking at a league that requires saving, while currently hosting the under 17 World Cup is a terrible indictment on the current administration. A 14 match league is also clearly inadequate and is frankly disrespectful to franchise chairmen who have assembled playing and coaching staff for the coming season. Whether Auckland and Waitakere dominate again they should be tested over a full programme of matches.
Evening the competition by knee-capping the Auckland clubs is not an improvement and is symptomatic of some of the small time thinking that perpetuates the current malaise in the game at the highest level. Just as other clubs in the Scottish Premier League realise that their fortunes, and the fortunes of the competition as a whole, are tied to those of the Old Firm, the NZFC franchises outside of Auckland need to wake up. Because football in New Zealand may not have many further chances to get the domestic national league right
james dean2009-04-28 21:11:04Despite passionate fans, a genuine resurgence of young Scottish talent and the presence of Rangers in the final of the UEFA Cup earlier this year, the competition rarely resonates outside Scotland other than the Old Firm derbies.
I�m no expert in Scottish football beyond the musings of various London based scribes who report � with very much an us and them attitude � on the latest goings on in the city of Glasgow.
But I don�t think I�m overstretching myself when I say that having bounced back from overspending in the 90s, and the collapse of ITV digital, Celtic and Rangers are once again dominating the competition in Scotland.
Two clubs, coffers swollen by frequent appearances in European club competition, steamrolling the competition in a two horse race � sound familiar?
The recent scaling back of the 2008/2009 NZFC season is another disappointing chapter in the various iterations of the national league in New Zealand. Even in my (relatively) brief lifetime at least four different versions have been played out with the only consistency being a familiar conclusion.
And blame for the most recent failures, manifested in Waikato scaling back operations to bare bones and last year�s losing finalist Team Wellington limping across the starting line, is being laid, by some at least, at the door of the league�s two most successful clubs, Auckland City and Waitakere United.
Similar to Scotland, two well funded clubs have dominated, cherry picking the best players from their less prosperous rivals. Their fans have even attempted a cringe-worthy comparison to the old firm rivalry.
Auckland City and Waitakere, for those of you who have better things to do on a Sunday than watch domestic football (although I have long argued that there is little better value for $7 than a sunny afternoon at Newtown Park) have between them won all 4 NZFC titles. But more importantly, both have represented Oceania at the Club World Championship, where a substantial prize money of US$500,000 is awarded merely for turning up.
While some of the money is shared between the players and staff, the league and the other franchises, undoubtedly this has led to a concentration of footballing power and financial clout in Auckland as a result of the influx of cash.
But blaming Auckland City and Waitakere for the failings of the league completely misses the point. They should be feted rather than criticised. Both have from day one been ruthless and professional, and as a result, successful.
Although aided by subsequent success, City initially assembled a squad with an eye on competing on all fronts and have been proactive, imaginative and impressive in their recruitment, with recent arrivals Ivan Vicelich and Xavi Roca complementing South Korean international Lee Ki-Hyung.
Waitakere brought Australian Shannon Cole out in 2005 (now playing for Sydney FC and recently selected in the Socceroos squad) and latched onto the failure of the Knights to rebuild after their one poor season, recruiting Darren Bazeley and Neil Emblen who have found the NZFC more to their level. Although boosted by their CWC windfalls, it is both clubs� bold strategies that led to such success in the first place. What is the preference, that all franchises sign poor quality players and the league remains stuck in a rut?
Clearly there are problems with the financial position of the league and the franchises themselves. Because there are no TV rights, league sponsor or prize money, the only income streams for the franchises are match day revenues (limited due to generally small crowds), sponsorships (limited due to the lack of exposure) and essentially donations, whether from gambling trusts, local clubs or wealthy benefactors (which are now drying up).
There is little that a well run franchise can do to match the income levels supplemented by competition in the Club World Championship. But to stay competitive costs money, and as usual, that is in short supply in New Zealand domestic football. Developing further sources of funding for all franchises is the only way forward.
Since tobacco sponsorship was outlawed in 1995 New Zealand Football has never had a corporate sponsor of the national league. NZF hyped the NZFC as a pathway to professionalism with better stadiums and better standards - �the new name for the global game�. But four years in and the crucial elements that the league�s administrators are responsible for, making inroads into television exposure, marketing the league to a wider audience and generating sponsorship are back to the levels they were in 1999 � virtually non-existent.
Of course it is a tough sell and domestic football has always struggled to penetrate in New Zealand. But that doesn�t mean that something can�t be done - the sooner the running of the league is handed over to the stake holders, the franchises themselves, the better. It is in their interests to succeed where NZF have consistently tried and failed. Crowds are still counted in the hundreds, there is very little marketing beyond that generated by the franchises themselves and the league is almost completely reliant on gaming trust sponsorship.
The fact that we are now looking at a league that requires saving, while currently hosting the under 17 World Cup is a terrible indictment on the current administration. A 14 match league is also clearly inadequate and is frankly disrespectful to franchise chairmen who have assembled playing and coaching staff for the coming season. Whether Auckland and Waitakere dominate again they should be tested over a full programme of matches.
Evening the competition by knee-capping the Auckland clubs is not an improvement and is symptomatic of some of the small time thinking that perpetuates the current malaise in the game at the highest level. Just as other clubs in the Scottish Premier League realise that their fortunes, and the fortunes of the competition as a whole, are tied to those of the Old Firm, the NZFC franchises outside of Auckland need to wake up. Because football in New Zealand may not have many further chances to get the domestic national league right
Normo's coming home
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Jaysus..!! Ill have to become even more unpleasant*, Im starting to agree with people ...in fact the only quibble I have is its 5 seasons and in the first years we actually had some TV...we have to throw off the NZF management , however well intentioned its very , very , very average (and I like Glynn ) the only way forward is self management but I cant see FNZ (or whoever they are this week ) letting go....
*shut up Ted
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Yeah this was written before the start of the last season so 4 seasons at that time.
I understand to some extent where the Auckland clubs are coming from, they've earned the rght to the CWC money, and feel that they need to use that money to recruit quality players so that they aren't embarassed if they win the O League and can be competitive at the CWC.
At the same time they need to be involved and assist in bringing the other franchises up to their level. It is in their interest for the competition to get stronger and that may mean a more even distribution of income. I agree FNZ have done their best, but I think the role of administering a national association which predominantly deals with sport at an amateur level, and running and promoting a semi-pro national league are quite different. So long as the clubs and NZF have a clear understanding of where they need to co-operate, and don't end up on different sides of the fence, it should work for everyone's benefit.
Normo's coming home
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how much should we help our opponents....hmmmmm....as much or as little as we choose I would think ...I for instance , like to think my advice has helped very many waitak players...
but bear in mind there were other competing franchises , if the current clubs cant cut it maybe they should stand aside...I think the best thing would be another one or two more clubs from the greater Auckland area itd be a major plus for the remaining ( rural) clubs imagine a chance to kick jaffa arse 8 times a season !
With out being too cheeky there are people out there wholl sponsor a team even if they have to sign away any possible prize....
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but bear in mind there were other competing franchises , if the current clubs cant cut it maybe they should stand aside...I think the best thing would be another one or two more clubs from the greater Auckland area itd be a major plus for the remaining ( rural) clubs imagine a chance to kick jaffa arse 8 times a season !
Good idea, but perhaps it should be taken a tiny step further. Maybe we should have 7 Auckland teams, and another team based in Huntly, called Rest of New Zealand, or Them.
All I do is make the stuff I would've liked
Reference things I wanna watch, reference girls I wanna bite
Now I'm firefly like a burning kite
And yousa fake fuck like a fleshlight
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I agree FNZ have done their best...
That's a pretty big call. I don't think they have come close to doing their best. I think they feel a national league is something they are obliged to run, but really don't seem to want to put any effort in to actually running.
For me, the fact that the league manager was at the Phoenix Waitak match rather than an NZFC match on at the same time sums up how much effort they really want to put in to the league.
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how much should we help our opponents....hmmmmm....as much or as little as we choose I would think ...[/QUOTE]
That is true, but I think you'd agree that a strong competition would be better for everyone, including the Auckland clubs.
but bear in mind there were other competing franchises , if the current clubs cant cut it maybe they should stand aside...I think the best thing would be another one or two more clubs from the greater Auckland area itd be a major plus for the remaining ( rural) clubs imagine a chance to kick jaffa arse 8 times a season !
There probably is capacity for another Auckland team on the shore, I don't see how it would be a bad thing. I think the only viable competing franchise is the Tauranga one (and maybe Gisborne?), and that means probably cutting either of Waikato or one of the Sth Island teams. I don't think that's going to happen (and I don't think it's ging to happen)
I think we should add two teams personally, Nth Shore and someone else. COntinue with 2 rounds and playoffs, plus you spread the league to more places. Better national coverage, more interest. You may increase costs a bit, but it would still be cheaper than going back to 3 rounds. 14 matches is a joke. Player wise the shore wouldn't have a problem putting together a team and you'd have the infrastructure (I'm assuming?). Tauranga may be a bit more difficult, but they have a reasonably strong local competition don't they?
[QUOTE=uncloz]With out being too cheeky there are people out there wholl sponsor a team even if they have to sign away any possible prize....
Not quite sure what you're gettin at here, but if you know anyone with a bit of dosh send them down to Waikato haha
Normo's coming home
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The North Shore is a clusterf**k, and there is no chance of the clubs working together...although I did hear they dumped the whole board of US1 which may at least get them back in to Northern league football.
More likely would be Eastern Suburbs, and the idea mooted for Phoenix ressies, if they can overcome the transfer challenges.
More likely would be Eastern Suburbs, and the idea mooted for Phoenix ressies, if they can overcome the transfer challenges.
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But what's your general view on the 10 teams? I think it could be a positive. There's definitely the talent in Auckland to get another good side out. I think the shore is the place for it, someone just needs to take a lead
I'm a anti the phoenix ressies idea, it's a bit micky mouse for me
james dean2009-04-30 22:38:59Normo's coming home
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[QUOTE=uncloz]
Good idea, but perhaps it should be taken a tiny step further. Maybe we should have 7 Auckland teams, and another team based in Huntly, called Rest of New Zealand, or Them.
Can I have a shot at the name...Same number of letters , even rhymes with Huntly...
Of course theyll have to suddenly find their entire team has foot and mouth one week before the season starts , their major backer will withdraw,Their foreign players will be solvent abusers of the basest variety , their field will be accidentally plowed under , their CEO will be on a walking tour of antarctica and hopelessly out of touch , and the league will be run by FNZ....
Only one of these is assured ...but itll be enough to stuff it all ...guess which it is...???
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There probably is capacity for another Auckland team on the shore, I don't see how it would be a bad thing. I think the only viable competing franchise is the Tauranga one (and maybe Gisborne?), and that means probably cutting either of Waikato or one of the Sth Island teams. I don't think that's going to happen (and I don't think it's ging to happen)
I think we should add two teams personally, Nth Shore and someone else. COntinue with 2 rounds and playoffs, plus you spread the league to more places. Better national coverage, more interest. You may increase costs a bit, but it would still be cheaper than going back to 3 rounds. 14 matches is a joke. Player wise the shore wouldn't have a problem putting together a team and you'd have the infrastructure (I'm assuming?). Tauranga may be a bit more difficult, but they have a reasonably strong local competition don't they?
I agree totally with that. To add another two teams to the league and keep it at just one home and away game per opposition would be a big improvement and give the league a bit more credibility in the eyes of the fans. The costs would increase but still be lower than the old format of 3 games per season. Surely centres such as Tauranga, Gisborne, New Plymouth/Taranaki, Nelson/Marlborough, Invercargill/Southland, Whangarei/Northland could get franchises up and running?
I also think the regional leagues should be moved to the same season and operate under the NZFC, and all clubs should participate in the Chatham Cup. That would help the Chatham Cup no end and would actually give the small regional league clubs a crack at beating the NZFC sides. No more conflict of interest for players either.
Freelance Football Writer
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There probably is capacity for another Auckland team on the shore, I don't see how it would be a bad thing. I think the only viable competing franchise is the Tauranga one (and maybe Gisborne?), and that means probably cutting either of Waikato or one of the Sth Island teams. I don't think that's going to happen (and I don't think it's ging to happen)
I think we should add two teams personally, Nth Shore and someone else. COntinue with 2 rounds and playoffs, plus you spread the league to more places. Better national coverage, more interest. You may increase costs a bit, but it would still be cheaper than going back to 3 rounds. 14 matches is a joke. Player wise the shore wouldn't have a problem putting together a team and you'd have the infrastructure (I'm assuming?). Tauranga may be a bit more difficult, but they have a reasonably strong local competition don't they?
I agree totally with that. To add another two teams to the league and keep it at just one home and away game per opposition would be a big improvement and give the league a bit more credibility in the eyes of the fans. The costs would increase but still be lower than the old format of 3 games per season. Surely centres such as Tauranga, Gisborne, New Plymouth/Taranaki, Nelson/Marlborough, Invercargill/Southland, Whangarei/Northland could get franchises up and running?
I also think the regional leagues should be moved to the same season and operate under the NZFC, and all clubs should participate in the Chatham Cup. That would help the Chatham Cup no end and would actually give the small regional league clubs a crack at beating the NZFC sides. No more conflict of interest for players either.
I think you will find that most of the areas you mentioned struggle to support Rugby teams so would be a complate waste of time for football (look at how their teams do in winter footie). I do agree with Tauranga, Gissy and Nelson.
One problem that has been completely overlooked by everyone is player depth.
With the propsed Phoenix reserves, a number of telented youngsters will move on from the NZFC Francises making them even weaker.
I personally don't think that there is enough depth in the Waikato/AKL/BOP region for another team with out the potential for the Waikato/North Shore/Tuarnaga-Mount teams fielding weak teams (the big two will have no worries obviously).
Supporter world's best and worst football teams: Waikato/WaiBop, Kingz, Knights, Phoenix, The Argyle, The Whites & the All Whites
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