Auckland FC - Once the Knights, Always the Knights

I may be being totally daft with this comment, but I just dont understand why fan groups feel the need to use their love of football and a particular team to try and push a political agenda. Why does any fan group need a political manifesto? Forgive me if I'm wrong but from what I understand, the "ultras" fans from left and right wing groups are associated with the worst of the football hooliganism across the world, right? Flares at games, violence in the stands, attacks on other fan groups pre and post game. Why would anyone want to associate with that?? Unless that is what the plan is?

theprof

I may be being totally daft with this comment, but I just dont understand why fan groups feel the need to use their love of football and a particular team to try and push a political agenda. Why does any fan group need a political manifesto? Forgive me if I'm wrong but from what I understand, the "ultras" fans from left and right wing groups are associated with the worst of the football hooliganism across the world, right? Flares at games, violence in the stands, attacks on other fan groups pre and post game. Why would anyone want to associate with that?? Unless that is what the plan is?

To repeat from above:
I am not among the people who started T-AFC but I'm privy to their discussions and they are *certainly* not planning to taunt or fight other fans. One T-AFC founder said to me: "I would love to go to the football as a football person but even more as a group that also stands for things I believe in as well." 

First of all: "keep shouting, it just makes my opinions worse" is a famous meme from Dril, a 'weird Twitter' celebrity.

Secondly, I am not among the people who started T-AFC but I'm privy to their discussions and they are *certainly* not planning to taunt or fight other fans. One T-AFC founder said to me: "I would love to go to the football as a football person but even more as a group that also stands for things I believe in as well."

Thirdly, I'm grateful to some posters here for opening my eyes to the extent to which football fans might triggered to verbal abuse (or worse) by, for example, a Tino Rangatiratanga flag or a chant in support of LGBTQ+ footballers. I honestly had no idea. (But the idea of chants against "cis white men" is weird. I expect the Auckland FC roster to be at least 50% cis white men.) 

Fourthly, the argument about how we'd like it if there was a "David Seymour Brigade" over in Bay 19 or whatever reminds me the question of "how would you queers like it if there was a *Straight* pride parade". In fact, I think that's a very good metaphor all round. What if there were a LGBTQ+ fan group, all in pink shirts etc. The argument that this was narcissistic, provocative, shoving things down unsuspecting people's throats in public etc. etc. would be more obviously a problem.

Fifthly, I remember when the YF at Mt Smart chanted "Santalab's a racist". I remember when Balbi started the whole "Rainbow Fever" thing at NHS when calling out sexist/homophobic chants. No biff resulted. This is "politics at the football".

But finally: I've strongly recommended to T-AFC that they have a polite word to the club, to security and to The P*rt to reassure that they "come in peace".

It's interesting that someone asked whether there would be a T-AFC equivalent in Te Whanganui-a-Tara! I encouraged them to read this thread lol

Doloras

theprof

I may be being totally daft with this comment, but I just dont understand why fan groups feel the need to use their love of football and a particular team to try and push a political agenda. Why does any fan group need a political manifesto? Forgive me if I'm wrong but from what I understand, the "ultras" fans from left and right wing groups are associated with the worst of the football hooliganism across the world, right? Flares at games, violence in the stands, attacks on other fan groups pre and post game. Why would anyone want to associate with that?? Unless that is what the plan is?

To repeat from above:
I am not among the people who started T-AFC but I'm privy to their discussions and they are *certainly* not planning to taunt or fight other fans. One T-AFC founder said to me: "I would love to go to the football as a football person but even more as a group that also stands for things I believe in as well." 

ok that's great.
But why can't the founder just go to the football and enjoy the football as a fan of the game. Why do they need to go with a group of politically like minded people. 
Football fans are like minded - in that they are supporting the same team, who cares about your political persuasion? For me that is the beauty of the gmae, it brings people of all creeds, races political persuasions together supporting the same team and just for a moment forgetting who is left or right etc.

theprof

Doloras

theprof

I may be being totally daft with this comment, but I just dont understand why fan groups feel the need to use their love of football and a particular team to try and push a political agenda. Why does any fan group need a political manifesto? Forgive me if I'm wrong but from what I understand, the "ultras" fans from left and right wing groups are associated with the worst of the football hooliganism across the world, right? Flares at games, violence in the stands, attacks on other fan groups pre and post game. Why would anyone want to associate with that?? Unless that is what the plan is?

To repeat from above:
I am not among the people who started T-AFC but I'm privy to their discussions and they are *certainly* not planning to taunt or fight other fans. One T-AFC founder said to me: "I would love to go to the football as a football person but even more as a group that also stands for things I believe in as well." 

ok that's great.
But why can't the founder just go to the football and enjoy the football as a fan of the game. Why do they need to go with a group of politically like minded people. 
Football fans are like minded - in that they are supporting the same team, who cares about your political persuasion? For me that is the beauty of the gmae, it brings people of all creeds, races political persuasions together supporting the same team and just for a moment forgetting who is left or right etc.

I'm also not part of this group or associated with them in any way, but I could take a guess that groups like this feel the issues they are raising are genuine crises, with people's lives at stake. They might believe that climate change will kill tens of thousands in our lifetime, as will anti-LGBT hatred, enormous inequality, genocide in Gaza and (perhaps to a lesser extent, but still significantly) regressive anti-Tiriti policies. If you believe that, and I know some people will disagree but I think most people in a place like Wellington would acknowledge there is at least some evidence for each of the above, then who cares whether it makes people uncomfortable to hear about it at the football. I don't say this to endorse the group in any way, I'm just trying to illustrate why mixing politics and sport might be good or necessary for people who believe these things.

Without trying to start WWIII, does anyone really give a shark what persuasion a player is, but more importantly can they play football that contributes towards the team effort??

It should be about the football and solely about the football. Their private life is theirs to enjoy as they choose.

Doloras

It's interesting that someone asked whether there would be a T-AFC equivalent in Te Whanganui-a-Tara! I encouraged them to read this thread lol

Not needed, the YF is pretty much welcoming of everyone......

Can we agree to move on - I want to come on here and read something interesting/exciting - no rehashed arguments.

MetalLegNZ

Can we agree to move on - I want to come on here and read something interesting/exciting - no rehashed arguments.

Sorry mate, just consider this thread a warm-up to the typical Bay 25 game day experience.

Fitzy

theprof

Doloras

theprof

I may be being totally daft with this comment, but I just dont understand why fan groups feel the need to use their love of football and a particular team to try and push a political agenda. Why does any fan group need a political manifesto? Forgive me if I'm wrong but from what I understand, the "ultras" fans from left and right wing groups are associated with the worst of the football hooliganism across the world, right? Flares at games, violence in the stands, attacks on other fan groups pre and post game. Why would anyone want to associate with that?? Unless that is what the plan is?

To repeat from above:
I am not among the people who started T-AFC but I'm privy to their discussions and they are *certainly* not planning to taunt or fight other fans. One T-AFC founder said to me: "I would love to go to the football as a football person but even more as a group that also stands for things I believe in as well." 

ok that's great.
But why can't the founder just go to the football and enjoy the football as a fan of the game. Why do they need to go with a group of politically like minded people. 
Football fans are like minded - in that they are supporting the same team, who cares about your political persuasion? For me that is the beauty of the gmae, it brings people of all creeds, races political persuasions together supporting the same team and just for a moment forgetting who is left or right etc.

I'm also not part of this group or associated with them in any way, but I could take a guess that groups like this feel the issues they are raising are genuine crises, with people's lives at stake. They might believe that climate change will kill tens of thousands in our lifetime, as will anti-LGBT hatred, enormous inequality, genocide in Gaza and (perhaps to a lesser extent, but still significantly) regressive anti-Tiriti policies. If you believe that, and I know some people will disagree but I think most people in a place like Wellington would acknowledge there is at least some evidence for each of the above, then who cares whether it makes people uncomfortable to hear about it at the football. I don't say this to endorse the group in any way, I'm just trying to illustrate why mixing politics and sport might be good or necessary for people who believe these things.

I'm happy with all of the above to be openly discussed believed in and supported - but I'm also a massive believer in protesting/raising your issue/belief at the right moment. Getting it wrong is only going to alienate you from the people you want to bring along on your journey to whatever outcome you want. If it's support for your political beliefs I'd strongly recommend not bringing them to a football game. In NZ, in particular, sport and politcs do not mix well.

The offseason is exhausting.

The offseason is exhausting.

Mainland FC

The offseason is exhausting.

Lasogga us up some transfer speculation or something then! 
This is the result of following Auckland football rather than the Nix…

A Joey Champness (aka JOWIC) sort of a tune?

One week ago we announced our first EVER players ⚔️
 
Who are you hoping to see next? 👀 pic.twitter.com/HMAZtYOh3J

— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) June 6, 2024

Toomey, Elliot, Brimmer & Hall seem likely the next annoucements - though then Mata was a surprise.

You'd think Grieve must be a likely imminent signing. Is a free agent & currently is in NZ. Has in recent times been scoring in the Scottish top flight & for the All Whites (Mata in comparison is yet to open his international account I believe). Surely a no brainer, unless Auckland FC has already made a lot of attacking signings (apparently 15+ players already signed according to reports). 

Brimmer easily the most high-profile reported/rumoured signing thus far. Would be nice to hear a few more exciting names being thrown about. 

coochiee

Toomey, Elliot, Brimmer & Hall seem likely the next annoucements - though then Mata was a surprise.

Word through the grapevine is another quality young Kiwi lad has been signed up in the past couple of days. I don't think I've seen his name mentioned on here previously.

Good opportunity for these lads who may have otherwise had a limited shot at getting a pro deal in this country.

Greives mother and two brothers moved to Scotland earlier this year, so perhaps he is wanting to stay in Europe ?

imanixsupporter

You'd think Grieve must be a likely imminent signing. Is a free agent & currently is in NZ. Has in recent times been scoring in the Scottish top flight & for the All Whites (Mata in comparison is yet to open his international account I believe). Surely a no brainer, unless Auckland FC has already made a lot of attacking signings (apparently 15+ players already signed according to reports). 

Brimmer easily the most high-profile reported/rumoured signing thus far. Would be nice to hear a few more exciting names being thrown about. 

coochiee

Toomey, Elliot, Brimmer & Hall seem likely the next annoucements - though then Mata was a surprise.

Word through the grapevine is another quality young Kiwi lad has been signed up in the past couple of days. I don't think I've seen his name mentioned on here previously.

Good opportunity for these lads who may have otherwise had a limited shot at getting a pro deal in this country.

YoungHeartHM

coochiee

Toomey, Elliot, Brimmer & Hall seem likely the next annoucements - though then Mata was a surprise.

Word through the grapevine is another quality young Kiwi lad has been signed up in the past couple of days. I don't think I've seen his name mentioned on here previously.

Good opportunity for these lads who may have otherwise had a limited shot at getting a pro deal in this country.

Young player in this list?

Liam Gillion, Aaryan Raj, Josh Tollervey, Corban Piper, Marco Lorenz, Jackson Manuel, Zac Zoricich, Jonty Bidois, Campbell Strong, Adam Supyk, Charlie Beale, Joe Lee, Nathan Lobo, Norman Garbett, Oli Fay, Ben Wallace, Noah Karunaratne, Ryan Verney, Otto Ingham

coochiee

YoungHeartHM

coochiee

Toomey, Elliot, Brimmer & Hall seem likely the next annoucements - though then Mata was a surprise.

Word through the grapevine is another quality young Kiwi lad has been signed up in the past couple of days. I don't think I've seen his name mentioned on here previously.

Good opportunity for these lads who may have otherwise had a limited shot at getting a pro deal in this country.

Young player in this list?

Liam Gillion, Aaryan Raj, Josh Tollervey, Corban Piper, Marco Lorenz, Jackson Manuel, Zac Zoricich, Jonty Bidois, Campbell Strong, Adam Supyk, Charlie Beale, Joe Lee, Nathan Lobo, Norman Garbett, Oli Fay, Ben Wallace, Noah Karunaratne, Ryan Verney, Otto Ingham

Nope 😄

Last guess YH! Is the youngster a keeper?

YoungHeartHM

coochiee

YoungHeartHM

coochiee

Toomey, Elliot, Brimmer & Hall seem likely the next annoucements - though then Mata was a surprise.

Word through the grapevine is another quality young Kiwi lad has been signed up in the past couple of days. I don't think I've seen his name mentioned on here previously.

Good opportunity for these lads who may have otherwise had a limited shot at getting a pro deal in this country.

Young player in this list?

Liam Gillion, Aaryan Raj, Josh Tollervey, Corban Piper, Marco Lorenz, Jackson Manuel, Zac Zoricich, Jonty Bidois, Campbell Strong, Adam Supyk, Charlie Beale, Joe Lee, Nathan Lobo, Norman Garbett, Oli Fay, Ben Wallace, Noah Karunaratne, Ryan Verney, Otto Ingham

Nope 😄

Alex Greive? One of the Inghams? Someone from Torslunda? Joel Stevens?  Logan Rogerson? Keegan Jelacic? Alex de Jong? Christopher Wood? Ben Chilwell? 

Think it’s fair to say they’re all limited shots at getting a pro deal here!