Auckland Pride - Make Auckland Great Again

I'd be guessing Marley Leuluai after his trial

The Wellington Phoenix’s largest-ever crowd is 33,297, set at Sky

From https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c1l14em6j3dt

, if they fly Thursday, that is a Saturday am arrival and then play at Eden Park Sunday afternoon.  Ouch, expect to see some players with a pillow on the bench!

Well they have to be at a fan zone as well early arvo on Sat and then later that day the people putting this on are charging people 15 bucks to watch them train at Eden Park.

The audited Wellington Regional Stadium Annual Accounts up to June 20th 2025 (2025/26 accounts are not yet published) gives the top Phoenix attendances at the Stadium as :-

32,941 - 7 Mar 10 A League: Phoenix FC vs Newcastle Jets (finals series)
31,853 - 01 Dec 07 Football: Phoenix FC vs LA Galaxy
31,535 - 18-May-24 A League: Phoenix FC v Melbourne Victory (SF)
24,360 - 21 Feb 10 A League: Phoenix vs Perth Glory (finals series)
22,325 - 2-Nov-24 A League: Phoenix FC v Auckland FC
20,937 - 22-May-21 A League: Phoenix FC v Western United FC

Not what a Google search shows ... the attendances for these matches from Google and/or austadiums website is somewhat different :-

33,297  - 18-May-24 A League: Phoenix FC v Melbourne Victory (SF)
32,792 - 7 Mar 10 A League: Phoenix FC vs Newcastle Jets (finals series)
31,853 - 01 Dec 07 Football: Phoenix FC vs LA Galaxy
26,252 - 2-Nov-24 A League: Phoenix FC v Auckland FC
24,267 - 21 Feb 10 A League: Phoenix vs Perth Glory (finals series)
24,105 - 22-May-21 A League: Phoenix FC v Western United FC

The three earlier matches are in the ballpark (Galaxy actually matches) but for the three later ones the official attendance is much lower than stated.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/361010392/english-premier-league-stars-tottenham-hotspurs-squad-face-auckland-fc

Former Liverpool Champions League winner Andy Robertson could make his debut for Tottenham Hotspur when they face A-League champions Auckland FC at Eden Park on Sunday afternoon.

The Scottish fullback was included in the 35-man travelling squad named by coach Robert de Zerbi for Spurs’ three-match tour of New Zealand and Australia, after joining during the off-season.

After facing Auckland this weekend, Spurs play Sydney FC next Wednesday and fellow Premier League side Chelsea in Sydney next Saturday.

Goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, centre back Jan Paul van Hecke and midfielders Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali are the other new signings in their travelling squad.

Notable established players include forwards Dominic Solanke and Richarlison, midfielders Conor Gallagher and James Maddison and defenders Ben Davies and Micky van de Ven.

The other five are Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr, Marcos Senesi, Cristian Romero and Djed Spence.

Tottenham Hotspur – tour of New Zealand and Australia

Goalkeepers: Brandon Austin, Martin Dúbravka, Antonín Kinský, Dylan Thompson

Defenders: Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Malachi Hardy, Andy Robertson, Kota Takai, Tyler Tingey, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke

Midfielders: Lucas Bergvall, Harry Byrne, Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray, Tye Hall, Tyrese Hall, Rio Kyerematen, James Maddison, Reiss Russell-Denny, Sandro Tonali, Luca Williams-Barnett

Forwards: Damola Ajayi, Jamie Donley, Mason Melia, Mikey Moore, Richarlison, Dane Scarlett, Dominic Solanke, Manor Solomon, Mathys Tel, Yang Min-Hyeok

Aaron Calver announced today. Solid defender

Nix socials could do more of this type of fan profile stuff.

https://twitter.com/fc_auckland/status/2080113593748783368

https://twitter.com/fc_auckland/status/2080113593748783368

https://twitter.com/fc_auckland/status/2080395797825487053

https://twitter.com/fc_auckland/status/2080395797825487053

Good yarn here about Spurs visiting NZ 50 years ago, to play Auckland and Wellington (at the Basin).
An 18 yr old Glen Hoddle.
https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/07/24/how-auckland-and-wellington-went-close-to-toppling-spurs-fifty-years-ago/


https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2026/07/24/auckland-fc-name-five-all-whites-and-new-signings-in-squad-to-face-spurs/

 Auckland FC name five All Whites and new signings in squad for Spurs match

A-League champions Auckland FC have included newly-signed defender Aaron Calver in their 26-player squad to face touring English club Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Australian Calver (30) joins Auckland FC after making more than 90 A-League appearances for Sydney, Western United and Perth Glory, and helping Sydney to two Premierships and a Championship in 2017 and 2019.

Calver has played in the Korean K-League and, more recently, for NPL Victoria club Hume City.

“Coming back to the A-League, especially with such an ambitious group, right off the back of a title, is an opportunity that I just couldn’t say no to,” said Calver.

Auckland FC’s director of football Terry McFlynn said: “Aaron is a top player with a lot of experience, and he will serve as a much-needed reinforcement for our backline this season.

“He’s a trophy winner, and when you can bring someone into your squad with trophy-winning experience, especially A-League ones, it makes the signing even better for us.”

Sunday’s squad also includes new scholarship signing Aaron Cartwright, a New Zealand age group international who has joined the club from Melbourne City’s academy.

The home squad also includes All Whites Michael Woud, Frances de Vries, Cameron Howieson, Lachlan Bayliss and Logan Rogerson.

New Zealand internationals Callan Elliot and Nando Pijnaker have been omitted from the squad, following their international duty at the FIFA Men’s World Cup, while All Whites goalkeeper Oli Sail continues to recover from an injury suffered in January.

Last season’s leading scorer Sam Cosgrove is expected to lead the Auckland FC attack.

No lies, I was at that Spurs game in Wellington at the Basin. Got the autographs but lost them a few years back. Hoddle was good, Ralph Coates and Steve Perryman, Pat Jennings. That Basin pitch was pretty good to play on.

Sorry guys, this site is play up.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/361010667/auckland-fcs-extreme-makeover-nears-end-glamour-clash-tottenham-hotspur-arrives

Likely the best summary of comings and goings.

Interesting that the Nix were also after Bayliss, confirmation that  Verstraetes, contract was renewed hence the transfer fee and that Sail is not signed.

Also that despite a truck load of young wingers they will still be using the import spot on a winger.

No Pjnanker or Elliott... Wonder where they are off to?

On holiday still. Back next week apparently. 

 Luke Casserly – Auckland’s Oceania Pro League coach, and before that, their reserves coach – will take charge for Sunday afternoon’s match against Spurs (kickoff 3pm), which is expected to attract a record-breaking crowd of around 40,000 to Eden Park.

The highest attendance for a men’s football match in New Zealand was set in 2017, when 37,034 attended the first leg of the All Whites’ World Cup qualifying playoff against Peru at Hnry Stadium in Wellington. 

And what of it buddy? Here's a bloke who's passionate about Kiwi football heritage and you're holding enough of a grudge about it to go back to a post 10 years prior and drag poor Hudsons name and reputation through the mud. I would have thought your 16,000 posts on this platform would have allowed you to develop some 'cyber citizenship' but once again an epic all whites world cup campaign ends and I have to come on here and be left with a sour taste in my mouth. Perhaps you'd be better off with the Auckland City ultras!!!

https://preview.redd.it/two-sleeve-sponsors-on-auckland-shirts-v0-7x45skxkaxeh1.jpeg?width=1080&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=523a3e608cec1cb0366258ee5a7c5915250ef89e

Like this strip.

Collar is cool and love that ugly maccas logo being smaller.

 Luke Casserly – Auckland’s Oceania Pro League coach, and before that, their reserves coach – will take charge for Sunday afternoon’s match against Spurs (kickoff 3pm), which is expected to attract a record-breaking crowd of around 40,000 to Eden Park.

The highest attendance for a men’s football match in New Zealand was set in 2017, when 37,034 attended the first leg of the All Whites’ World Cup qualifying playoff against Peru at Hnry Stadium in Wellington. 

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/361007983/auckland-fc-v-tottenham-hotspur-all-you-need-know

Auckland FC 

Goalkeepers: Joe Knowles, Michael Woud; Liam Hill, Eli Jones

Defenders: Hiroki Sakai; Aaron Calver, Luka Vicelich, Ronan Wynne; Francis de Vries; Matt d’Hotman, Will Gross

Midfielders: Lachie Bayliss, Jake Brimmer, Lachie Brook, Felipe Gallegos, Cam Howieson, Dan Normann; James Mitchell

Forwards: Jonty Bidois, Aaron Cartwright, Sam Cosgrove, Bailey Ferguson, Van Fitzharris, Isa Prins, Logan Rogerson; Dejaun Naidoo 

Tottenham Hotspur

Goalkeepers: Brandon Austin, Martin Dúbravka, Antonín Kinský, Dylan Thompson
Defenders: Kevin Danso, Ben Davies, Malachi Hardy, Andy Robertson, Kota Takai, Tyler Tingey, Destiny Udogie, Micky van de Ven, Jan Paul van Hecke

Midfielders: Lucas Bergvall, Harry Byrne, Mateus Fernandes, Conor Gallagher, Archie Gray, Tye Hall, Tyrese Hall, Rio Kyerematen, James Maddison, Reiss Russell-Denny, Sandro Tonali, Luca Williams-Barnett

Forwards: Damola Ajayi, Jamie Donley, Mason Melia, Mikey Moore, Richarlison, Dane Scarlett, Dominic Solanke, Manor Solomon, Mathys Tel, Yang Min-Hyeok 

Lots of Tottenham shirts at Wellington airport according to a mate who’s flying up this morning.

Preety crappy day in Aucks. 

Blows any chance of a walk up crowd.

I was just behind the Spurs bus in traffic lol. Absolutely right that it's the most hideous day of the year, but didn't they have a megaboss number of presales already?

Great crowd. Spurs 1-0 up. Some good moments for AFC. Slippery surface calling on good control. Lots of defending by AFC, might be a big score at the end 

Pretty dire. 

No Hall, Verstraete, Girdwood-Reich. Gallegos, Brimmer and de Vries on the bench. 

Not the championship winning team at all. And rarely out of the box let alone the halfway line.