Moving to Auckland - who to follow?

Phoenix supporter here, living in Melbourne (originally Danish, but got into Phoenix while I lived in Blenheim in 2007 - and the wife is Kiwi too).

Moving to Auckland in January and will probably start following a team in the ASB Premiership.

Will be living near Takapuna and I can see that Waitakere and Auckland City are both approximately same distance from Takapuna.

Anything I need to know about the two teams? Can see that Auckland City are dominating this season and have been dominating for the last few seasons. Might actually be a bit boring following a team who wins week in, week out...

I could obviously just follow the Phoenix reserves, if we still exist by then...

I would say Waitakere but dude, support Auckland City, they will be this season champions, and the next one, and then win the OFC Champions League and so on

Waterside Karori.

No contest.

See you at Kiwitea!

Yeah Kiwitea >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Fred Taylor.

Waitakere - you'll double their fanbase....

... Actually Auckland.

The Auckland Phoenix will be in the A league shortly.

My balls my word

fixed

Thanks guys.

Just not sure about Auckland FC. A team dominating that much...just not sure if I can be that excited about them, especially as I haven't followed them in the past.

A bit like when I lived in Blenheim in 2007. Just couldn't get into Canterbury Crusaders. Call me a weirdo, but winning week in, week out...is just boring, unless you were there from the beginning (would love the the Nix to week every week!!!).

Waitakery perfect for you.

Here in Melbourne, all the non-A League clubs are all rather ethnic.

They're either run by people with Greek, Italian, Maltese, Croatian, Serbian, German or Turkish ancestry.

How about Auckland FC or Waitakere? The same?

ACFC are run by a Croatian mafia who welcome all-comers. Waitakery are run by a Kiwi/Brit mafia unable to find anyone to welcome.

Kiwi/Brit sounds more appealing to me ;-)

Glenfield Rovers (Northern Leagues) is only 5 mins drive from where I'll be living.

Might check them out.

I wouldn't.

And why is that then?

Nor would I

Any background info reg the clubs in the Northern League? Who runs the various clubs? Croatians, Italians etc?

Most teams in NRFL are not based on ethnic backgrounds apart from Central and Mangere Utd (Fijians). 

Thanks.

If you want to support a team that is frustrating to follow and has the potential to be better but is run by stubborn Brits, Waitakere is for you!

OK, thanks. I spent 8 years in London, so I might feel more 'at home' there.

(Not sure why I've got two login details - if I use the phone app, my username is Charlton Athletic, on the laptop it's Danepak)

Auckland City has Croatian heritage but it's not like going to Somers St... not that that's a bad thing.  I enjoyed Somers Street.

Also, the reason people are saying don't go to Glenfield is because they support or play for rival North Shore clubs.

OK, thanks.

Any interesting history reg. the North Shore club rivalries? Who hates who the most etc.?

Birkenhead and Glenfield are not great mates.

FYI on the Glenfield front they are pretty universally disliked in Auckland for a few reasons, most recently it's because they spent a bit of coin and won the league in 2014 and they played long ball the whole time.

They are trying to change now though so credit where it's due.

Good info, thanks.

They also consist of absolute knobs.

I said it.

Thanks 20 Legend. Very much appreciate the info.

One questions which begs me is...why are they knobs?

if Glenfield is  only going to be 5 minutes  away...then Birkenhead cant be far away either 

A short 15 min drive.

Im not speaking about the first team because I am not a fan, but Birkenhead as a club is far superior to Glenfield. Even the Glenfield president drinks at Birko!

OK, when you say it's a superior club - are the people just generally nicer? Who runs the club? British expats?

Who runs Glenfield?

Lets be honest guys, there is only one real club on the North Shore and that is EAST COAST BAYS!!!

Awesome!!!

Welcome back to NZ mate!!!

My mother is from Charlton (Elliscombe Road - in 2000 one of the big BBC TV millenium projects was "1900 House" where they got a modern family to live for some months like people from 1900 - the house used was the one next to where my mum grew up in a row of identical houses). Her dad used to take her to matches at the Valley.

My grandad was a very devoted Charlton Athletic supporter from the World War One era through to the early 1970's when he passed away and was present at both of Charlton's post-war FA Cup Finals. The legendary Jimmy Seed was manager then. Charlton "left their mark" on the Cup - Jimmy Seed was taking it around Charlton in the boot of his car when he dropped it and had it repaired at a local garage. You can still see evidence of the repair on the Cup.

Second most legendary Charlton manager Alan Curbishley's sister lives in Auckland (immigrated here decades ago) and Curbs visits for a holiday from time to time. He once took NZ Knights training (the Phoenix's predecessor in the A-League) and arranged a friendly between the All Whites and Charlton in the mid-2000's. The other brother, Bill is still manager of the Who rock group, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant and UB40.

Former Auckland City, Waitakere United and NZ Knights midfielder (and Welsh youth international) Paul Seaman was a junior and reserve player at Charlton Athletic before immigrating to NZ. He played in the FIFA World Club Championship for both Auckland City and Waitakere:  http://www.nzfootball.co.nz/paul-seaman-seamans-so...

I remember when Charlton had former European Footballer of the Year, Allan Simonsen from Denmark playing in the 1980's in the old second division. He was still a Danish international but had fallen out with Barcelona when Maradona took his position and wanted a quiet life in Charlton.

Hey!

A fellow Addicks supporter – nice!

Yes, was well aware of Curbishley and his sister living in Auckland. I remember reading about his visit to NZ, while I was still in London.

I actually think Alex Ferguson bought him a 1st class return ticket as a gift, after he’d left Charlton.

Unfortunately I didn’t follow Charlton, when Allan Simonsen played for the Addicks. I hadn’t actually heard of the club back then (I was 6 years old…).

I started following Charlton in 2000, when I moved to London. Got myself a season ticket, when they extended the North Stand. My first win as a season ticket holder was a 1-0 win game at home to Boro (Euell scored early in the game, from memory).

I can see that you’re in Christchurch. Do you know of any Addicks supporters in Auckland?

I must have a look at the Addicks Down Under site as well. Hope to find fellow Charlton fans.

Late to he party on this but having watched a lot of NRFL in the last few years, I would say the best thing to do is go to a range of clubs and see what you like best. They all have their little quirks.

But from my perspective, on the Shore:

North Shore is an old club in I think a really charming setting that oozes history.

If you like to feel a bit posh, Takapuna might be for you.

East Coast Bays is on a nice ridge with a view - very pleasant place to watch football and a successful team to follow.

Forrest Hill Milford is a club on the rise with former All Whites to cheer on. They are a young side and little bit bling.

Albany is a funny sort of place... Not sure what else to say without getting myself into trouble... Just go there and see what you think.

Glenfield are thought to splash a bit of money around but I don't know. I find the club itself a bit like the suburb - nice enough but there's something missing... But I do love their women's team in particular and they have a lot of nice blokes in their men's side too. A bit unfairly maligned.

Birkenhead would be my personal pick though. It's the best supported club in Auckland in my experience and has a lovely welcoming family atmosphere. I have enjoyed going there every time.

I remamber him well. Allan Simonsen the player Liverpool had to contain in winning the 1977 European Cup Final. Allan scored the Borussia Monchengladbach goal and went on to pip Kevin Keegan for the 77 European player of the year.

Forrest Hill Milford FTW!!