What's the traffic like to the stadium? It's in the heart of Auckland so I feel like it shouldn't be too bad, but I've heard otherwise from family
It's a bit of a shocker. Has all the roading connections to it, but is pretty much in an industrial area which; a) limits parking options (remembering back to cancelled Elton John gig the last time I was up there where they said there is only about 1000 or so parking spots around the stadium) b) has spotty public transport to the venue itself (although I stand to be corrected on this as I've never used public transport to Mt Smart, so only going off what I observe) & c) lacks the amenities you'd want around the stadium - bars, hospitality venues and all that good stuff.
In saying that, if you plan ahead and get to the venue early enough you're usually pretty well set up. The traffic however is usually pretty diabolical when leaving the stadium, especially when it's been a full house or close to it.
Get yourself to somewhere like Ellerslie that has a few nice cool bars, and park park there. Then either walk, train, bus or Uber to the ground.
That will likely be a popular type of plan for many AFC fans though. So if you know someone in Ellerslie, suck up to them for that spare driveway space.
Better still just train to Ellerslie or Penrose stations.
Given they were signed on scholarship deals, it's not surprising to say they'll be in the senior squad in the same way the likes of Supyk, Sheridan and Sloane-Rodrigues were this year. Making sporadic ALM appearances and also having squad numbers.
It is surprising to see Toomey and Gillion get 8 and 14, it could be a placeholder or they might play bigger roles than we thought.
I know shirt numbers in football don't mean heaps, but I am a little surprised that AFC didn't save the #9 for a 'bigger name' than Mata. Still, that #10 jersey is still available
I know shirt numbers in football don't mean heaps, but I am a little surprised that AFC didn't save the #9 for a 'bigger name' than Mata. Still, that #10 jersey is still available
If a big player comes in I'm sure Mata will swap. Happens a lot.
Given they were signed on scholarship deals, it's not surprising to say they'll be in the senior squad in the same way the likes of Supyk, Sheridan and Sloane-Rodrigues were this year. Making sporadic ALM appearances and also having squad numbers.
It is surprising to see Toomey and Gillion get 8 and 14, it could be a placeholder or they might play bigger roles than we thought.
Not sure if the rule that 1-23 had to be senior roster players still exists but if those are permanent, it could be a sign that Corica rates what he has seen so far.
Stands to reason. Toomey was a standout player last year for Eastern Suburbs, in the National League. And apparently Liam Gillion has been starring this year for ACFC. Of the young guys they have picked up so far, always seemed the most likely.
Both also rated by Corica's mate Bazeley. Gillion a travelling and Toomey non-travelling, Olympics reserves.
But maybe a sign it's just the visa players now to come. Most of the NZ/Australian senior player recruiting now done. 13 players with numbers above.
Plus Smith, McKenlay, Middleton and Coulibaly. The young boys are all in Samoa with the U19s, not sure what Smith is up to whether he’s taking a break or just not pictured.
Get yourself to somewhere like Ellerslie that has a few nice cool bars, and park park there. Then either walk, train, bus or Uber to the ground.
That will likely be a popular type of plan for many AFC fans though. So if you know someone in Ellerslie, suck up to them for that spare driveway space.
Better still just train to Ellerslie or Penrose stations.
If you don't mind a 20-something minute walk, Penrose train station is handy. I'm also told that Mt Smart has the best accessible parking in the city.
Plus Smith, McKenlay, Middleton and Coulibaly. The young boys are all in Samoa with the U19s, not sure what Smith is up to whether he’s taking a break or just not pictured.
Forgot about Smith, but I think the last 3 will be lucky to be in the senior squad. Though Coulibaly yes looked good in the NZ U19s v New Caledonia game I saw.
I may be being naive but what’s the significance of 14?
Cryuff and Henry both wore #14, just as #23 is popular due to Michael Jordan. But I think in the context of the original statement, I think it was more said in the expectation that 1-11 are most likely your 1st XI, 12-16 are your likely bench, and that Toomey and Gillion might be getting ahead of themselves taking 8 and 14 when there are plenty of numbers 17 and above still available.
Smith isn’t on the list because there weren’t any photos of him in training. I don’t know if he was there and not pictured, or if he’s away.
Hall wore 23 at CCM - must be a preference for him
Don't think Smith's even visited Auckland yet. Likely returned to the UK post his spell with MAC, best man duties in Italy, Vanuatu - and maybe back in the UK getting the whanau ready for the big move to Aotearoa
On RNZ this morning, Auckland FC owners Mowbray & Williams annoying their neighbours by trying to get permission to land a helicopter at their house in a residential area, apparently might disturb local wildlife nearby too. Rich pricks.
On RNZ this morning, Auckland FC owners Mowbray & Williams annoying their neighbours by trying to get permission to land a helicopter at their house in a residential area, apparently might disturb local wildlife nearby too. Rich pricks.
Shhh, don’t use the ‘bl’ word…coochie gets triggered!
But they do have 3 billionaire owners and they had them at a time when some clubs didn’t have an owner at all.
In 12 months, Foley may look back and regret bringing in Williams & Mowbray. He probably thought having some Kiwis onboard, would help appease those locals who might just see him as some blowhard rich Yank.
The truth being he seems far more likeable and 'down to earth' than his local co owners. Everything I've read and viewed is he's well loved by Bournemouth's fans. And the club itself seem to be doing everything right about winning over the local Auckland/Waikato football community. Though their loaded up Reserves in the Northern League will lead to some tension, for sure.
But their biggest PR issue looks like yes, being bling look at me Anna & Ali.
Good chance for a few of the United & Birko boys to put in a performance under the watchful eye of Corica and co.
There were a few names in both those teams that were coming up as having some watchful eyes cast their way.
Do we know if the games will be streamed anywhere or nah?
It would be nice if they were on Fifa+ as most Auckland United and Birkenhead United Northern League games are streamed there - but of course these being friendlies and with AFC will likely mean they won't be.
Hopefully they will be streamed or broadcast in some way though
Shhh, don’t use the ‘bl’ word…coochie gets triggered!
But they do have 3 billionaire owners and they had them at a time when some clubs didn’t have an owner at all.
In 12 months, Foley may look back and regret bringing in Williams & Mowbray. He probably thought having some Kiwis onboard, would help appease those locals who might just see him as some blowhard rich Yank.
The truth being he seems far more likeable and 'down to earth' than his local co owners. Everything I've read and viewed is he's well loved by Bournemouth's fans. And the club itself seem to be doing everything right about winning over the local Auckland/Waikato football community. Though their loaded up Reserves in the Northern League will lead to some tension, for sure.
But their biggest PR issue looks like yes, being bling look at me Anna & Ali.
Hmm, spotted Ali running the line on the weekend for one of his kids games. Definitely wasn't "bling, look at me". Like most ex rugby dads, concentrating on trying to remember what way the arm is supposed to go.
Shhh, don’t use the ‘bl’ word…coochie gets triggered!
But they do have 3 billionaire owners and they had them at a time when some clubs didn’t have an owner at all.
In 12 months, Foley may look back and regret bringing in Williams & Mowbray. He probably thought having some Kiwis onboard, would help appease those locals who might just see him as some blowhard rich Yank.
The truth being he seems far more likeable and 'down to earth' than his local co owners. Everything I've read and viewed is he's well loved by Bournemouth's fans. And the club itself seem to be doing everything right about winning over the local Auckland/Waikato football community. Though their loaded up Reserves in the Northern League will lead to some tension, for sure.
But their biggest PR issue looks like yes, being bling look at me Anna & Ali.
Hmm, spotted Ali running the line on the weekend for one of his kids games. Definitely wasn't "bling, look at me". Like most ex rugby dads, concentrating on trying to remember what way the arm is supposed to go.
I mean they are bling. Corica and McFlynn were part of Sydney when they were bling fc.
What’s fascinating to me is that you are scared to embrace it. AFC will have a lot more money available than some of its competitors and without a doubt its owners will have much more leeway than others to keep it that way.
Outside the ABs it’s strange for a Kiwi team to be a front runner and a thorough bred. We don’t have Barcelona, Juventus, Real Madrid.
But AFC certainly could be that.
Bling doesn’t necessarily mean clowns, it just means cashed up and using it. Multiple Auckland properties, no mortgage say. Wearing nice clothes, supporting the opera, the comedy, the museum, the arts festival and so on. Owning vineyards as a hobby.
The team doesn’t have to be under-dogs in the kiwi way. Certainly when we signed Felipe and Smeltzy we were hoping to be a team that didn’t apologise for playing football in NZ, but played to win.
Tamaki drive, Ponsonby and its even wealthier neighbors, Remeura, Devonport even…I guess we don’t rule out brassy North Shore or Howick new money subdivisions with massive properties and boats in massive driveways or houses up on the hills. There’s a lot of 2 million plus dollar suburbs in Auckland. Wellington family reported long ago a lot of second generation Aucklanders surrounding them, sons and daughters of doctors, upper management or bankers arriving and driving up house prices with their parents help.
The idea of being rich and it being okay to enjoy it a bit certainly occurred to plenty living there. What’s wrong with being bling if that’s who you are?
Shhh, don’t use the ‘bl’ word…coochie gets triggered!
But they do have 3 billionaire owners and they had them at a time when some clubs didn’t have an owner at all.
In 12 months, Foley may look back and regret bringing in Williams & Mowbray. He probably thought having some Kiwis onboard, would help appease those locals who might just see him as some blowhard rich Yank.
The truth being he seems far more likeable and 'down to earth' than his local co owners. Everything I've read and viewed is he's well loved by Bournemouth's fans. And the club itself seem to be doing everything right about winning over the local Auckland/Waikato football community. Though their loaded up Reserves in the Northern League will lead to some tension, for sure.
But their biggest PR issue looks like yes, being bling look at me Anna & Ali.
Hmm, spotted Ali running the line on the weekend for one of his kids games. Definitely wasn't "bling, look at me". Like most ex rugby dads, concentrating on trying to remember what way the arm is supposed to go.
I mean they are bling. Corica and McFlynn were part of Sydney when they were bling fc.
What’s fascinating to me is that you are scared to embrace it. AFC will have a lot more money available than some of its competitors and without a doubt its owners will have much more leeway than others to keep it that way.
Outside the ABs it’s strange for a Kiwi team to be a front runner and a thorough bred. We don’t have Barcelona, Juventus, Real Madrid.
But AFC certainly could be that.
Bling doesn’t necessarily mean clowns, it just means cashed up and using it. Multiple Auckland properties, no mortgage say. Wearing nice clothes, supporting the opera, the comedy, the museum, the arts festival and so on. Owning vineyards as a hobby.
The team doesn’t have to be under-dogs in the kiwi way. Certainly when we signed Felipe and Smeltzy we were hoping to be a team that didn’t apologise for playing football in NZ, but played to win.
Tamaki drive, Ponsonby and its even wealthier neighbors, Remeura, Devonport even…I guess we don’t rule out brassy North Shore or Howick new money subdivisions with massive properties and boats in massive driveways or houses up on the hills. There’s a lot of 2 million plus dollar suburbs in Auckland. Wellington family reported long ago a lot of second generation Aucklanders surrounding them, sons and daughters of doctors, upper management or bankers arriving and driving up house prices with their parents help.
The idea of being rich and it being okay to enjoy it a bit certainly occurred to plenty living there. What’s wrong with being bling if that’s who you are?
provided we had a capital gains tax in nz and the blingers didnt try to shelter their wealth from paying a fair slice of tax, nothing wrong
Depends on your definition of bling. To me it's being showy with your wealth, or just being showy full stop. It can be flaky pretend wealth, in debt up to the eyeballs, aka Terry S
But yeah to me bling is gold chains, the fast cars, the botox WAG. A helicopter pad on your house. Does it really serve a purpose, or is it just look at me. JOWIC will bring a bit of glamour to the squad. East Anglia's Tommy Smith less so.
Pretty sure Rob Morrison owns a vineyard, but I don't think of him or Bill Foley as being Bling. And so far I'm seeing Corica (yes with his well manicured head) get around the Auckland and Waikato grass roots clubs. More sausage sizzle than prawn sandwich. Or maybe Ulster Fry for a heavy looking McFlynn.
But yes for sure Auckland are straight off, likely one of the richer clubs in the league. Their visa signings will be a giveaway. As well as the speed at which they get their club infrastructure up to speed. An Aucklander I know reckons they will have their Academy pumping in half the time of the Nix. We wait to see, Domey has said you can underestimate the work that's involved in truly getting it going..
Don't know them personally - but do have some mutual friends. From what I have been told they are...
Driven but loyal people - they still hang out with their college friends etc. They don't have a lot of time for people who want to use them or their wealth for their own gain so can be a little stand offish. However, they are very generous to those they have known for a long time - taking friends on all expenses paid holidays etc.
But, perception is reality, so people will always see what they want to see.
Don't know them personally - but do have some mutual friends. From what I have been told they are...
Driven but loyal people - they still hang out with their college friends etc. They don't have a lot of time for people who want to use them or their wealth for their own gain so can be a little stand offish. However, they are very generous to those they have known for a long time - taking friends on all expenses paid holidays etc.
But, perception is reality, so people will always see what they want to see.
Not very loyal or generous to their employees - see Zuru/Glassdoor.
Thank you to Mangere United for hosting Auckland FC on Wednesday night. Dan Hall & Danny Hay headed out to Mangere United on Wednesday to meet some bright young stars and formally welcome Dan Hall into the New Zealand Fijian community.
I want to walk back what I said earlier about Mowbray and Williams being rich pricks. I don't care that they're rich so much, it's the entitlement of spoiling a neighbourhood's peace because they're too lazy to drive apparently. I'm glad they're spending their money to get Auckland FC up and going
I want to walk back what I said earlier about Mowbray and Williams being rich pricks. I don't care that they're rich so much, it's the entitlement of spoiling a neighbourhood's peace because they're too lazy to drive apparently. I'm glad they're spending their money to get Auckland FC up and going
Wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if their cars are as noisy or even nosier then a helicopter.
From where I stand in the UK, one member of the power couple seems to be more suspect then the other.
Given how minted Foley is, if he does find those two a bit much, I'm sure he'll happily buy them out and get other investors on board to replace them.
Sorry to continue a tangent- I don’t think it’s fair to beat up on the Mowbrays with the helipad issue.
Helicopters are more and more common, especially in their wealth bracket. Most billionaires in NZ have access to one or have had community doubts to overcome.
Quick google 48 helipads on Waiheke. Another article-Russell has 3 helipads, but opposing a 4th. Did a businessman in Takapuna sneak in a helicopter? And on and on. The Briscoes guy had a dispute about one. It’s just millionaires opposing billionaires usually.
Sorry to say I was a bit anti-originally, but Williams put in honest shifts as an AB and claims that AFC was his boyhood club.
I’m a bit more suspicious on Zuru, but no one becomes a billionaire without some scrapes and stories and they want to put the money into football. I’m going to wait and see how they are going by the end of the season. The A league definitely needs investment.
I’m no greenie but all I will say is I paddle board the strip of water in front of their new place each weekend when the weather and tide is right. There are basically 250 geese who permanently reside there.
I do my very best not to disturb them, but I can’t see them staying long as a helicopter comes on in.
I’m no greenie but all I will say is I paddle board the strip of water in front of their new place each weekend when the weather and tide is right. There are basically 250 geese who permanently reside there.
I do my very best not to disturb them, but I can’t see them staying long as a helicopter comes on in.
Give me 250 geese any time.
Have you been to Western Springs in the last ten years? Geese are a bunch of noisy gangsters who chase away other creatures, crap everywhere, have an ugly call and are generally incompatible with humans or others sharing the same space. That’s ducks, swans, coots, shags, wading birds etc etc and at Western Springs that’s no football on the grass because it’s absolutely covered in their sharke. They’re basically the unruly tourists…
