Recent call-up for the OFC U19 Championship in Samoa, and now with four caps at that level to his name, James Bulkeley is currently trialling for Auckland FC.
Auckland FC - Once the Knights, Always the Knights
Recent call-up for the OFC U19 Championship in Samoa, and now with four caps at that level to his name, James Bulkeley is currently trialling for Auckland FC.
Chuck in whoever is trialling and rotate heavily to get a good look at everyone.
Pride, passion, let’s go kiwi football!
Not a bad line-up really. I suspect a good 3 or 4 of those above will be injured or unavailable.
Expecting to see lots of young guys filling the gaps.
Nikko Boxall Auckland FC sighting 👀 https://t.co/Z1x7eRoBVv pic.twitter.com/59TB46a6Pj
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) July 31, 2024
Your first AFC XI is in! 🪄 pic.twitter.com/WLspyrYH2v
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) July 31, 2024
Four Trialists: N Boxall, Bulkeley, Naidoo & Rutherford.
joking. No idea.
GOAL: Early goal for Auckland United.
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) July 31, 2024
⚔️ 0 - 1 [9’]
Knowles is on a scholarship deal.
Apologies.
Here’s the starting formation for those curious, a 4-3-3:
— sam smith 🇳🇿 (@mrsmiis) July 31, 2024
Woud
Elliot, Hall, Smith, de Vries
McKenlay
Toomey, Howieson
Rogerson, Mata, Champness
Champness came off early with an injury. Rutherford replaced him.
GOAL: Max Mata levels it up.
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) July 31, 2024
⚔️ 1 - 1 [27’] pic.twitter.com/bJ9qmIfk16
Don’t want to read too much into pre-season games like this but:
- AFC looked to play relatively simple and string passes together.
- I definitely think 1 or 2 visa spots will be used on attackers. Mata was quiet.
- kit looked good.
- not many of the AFC players stood out. Elliot, Toomey and Howieson were neat and tidy.
- Auckland United looked sharp and I was very impressed with 10 (Fay?) and 17 (Phoenix).
- looking forward to seeing some more additions but I think even Sakai, Galloway and Gillion would make a big difference.
- looked like the membership tent had plenty of visitors.
On the field, I love watching Cam Howieson pass the ball around, long, short, high, low, left to right, right to left. Callan Elliot was good, couldn't help but think he should have been in France.
It was a good field (a FIFA pitch) and it handled the rain well. Crowd was one or two deep around the perimeter, and then deeper around the clubhouse and the hill at the end where there was some elevation.
FULL TIME: Spoils shared in our first ever match.
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) July 31, 2024
⚔️ 2 - 2 [FT] pic.twitter.com/WrySFW1yOL
Toomey equalised for AFC in the 80th minute
Really good turn out at 🏟️ Keith Hay Park. People standing at the fence all the way around the pitch.
— EatSleepFutball (@EatSleepFutBall) July 31, 2024
Biggest crowd I have seen at 🏟️ Keith Hay Park. WWell done @Auckland_United
& @fc_auckland
0-0 #AKUvAFC pic.twitter.com/Gfe5Yg9vUr
Looks like some scaffolding set up over other side of the pitch for a camera - so maybe we might see some professionally shot highlights or something
But what’s wrong with the anchor one?
Quite large but apart from that thought it suited it quite well
NZ Anchor logo looks pants now compared to the original which is still used in the UK and I think it would more align with the Port's Popeye theme:
Really good turn out at 🏟️ Keith Hay Park. People standing at the fence all the way around the pitch.
— EatSleepFutball (@EatSleepFutBall) July 31, 2024
Biggest crowd I have seen at 🏟️ Keith Hay Park. WWell done @Auckland_United
& @fc_auckland
0-0 #AKUvAFC pic.twitter.com/Gfe5Yg9vUr
Looks like some scaffolding set up over other side of the pitch for a camera - so maybe we might see some professionally shot highlights or something
Looked like a good crowd. As much as I support the Nix and always will, NZ Football needs AFC to succeed. I think we'd all be better off for it as football fans in this part of the world. Can't wait for season to kick off and the first derby 🤤
Toomey's long range shot! ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/VkRFvmfWCz
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) July 31, 2024
Perhaps because we’ve already seen confusion between logos and a few different clubs called Auckland they’re just avoiding that at this stage!
Don’t want to read too much into pre-season games like this but:
- AFC looked to play relatively simple and string passes together.
- I definitely think 1 or 2 visa spots will be used on attackers. Mata was quiet.
- kit looked good.
- not many of the AFC players stood out. Elliot, Toomey and Howieson were neat and tidy.
- Auckland United looked sharp and I was very impressed with 10 (Fay?) and 17 (Phoenix).
- looking forward to seeing some more additions but I think even Sakai, Galloway and Gillion would make a big difference.
- looked like the membership tent had plenty of visitors.
Fay is class - he should definitely be picked up by Auckland. Always plays well
I'm expecting some exciting attacking imports to help with the hype.
9’ Boyd Curry - great leap and powerful header from a corner
55’ Codey Phoenix - beautiful long ball to the far post, then was drilled on the volley across the face of goal and Codey powered it home. Woud no chance
A historic night at Keith Hay Park as @fc_auckland played their first-ever match against @Auckland_United from the National League.
— NZ National League 🏆🇳🇿 (@nzleagues) August 1, 2024
In rainy conditions and in front of a large crowd of supporters, the game ended in a 2-2 draw 🤝
📸 @photosportnz#NZNationalLeague #NZFootball pic.twitter.com/dAfKs2WVJ6
Get ready for the most anticipated match! ⚔️
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) August 1, 2024
Auckland FC vs. Wellington Phoenix
📍Saturday 7 December 5pm
GO Media Stadium
Full fixtures out tomorrow 👀 pic.twitter.com/9l3K7qDN7e
I recall Dome saying last year that one full house pays for their season.
So
If that is the case then coupled with the three largest ever transfer fees that they have received, I think this year they are mint!!
I would say they would have to sink serious money into advertising it to sell it out, so likely wouldn't do the years funding, but it would help.
Our 2024/25 fixtures are here ⚔️🔥 pic.twitter.com/oA5hFCwFKh
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) August 1, 2024
History in the making.
— Auckland FC (@fc_auckland) August 1, 2024
🔵⚫️ ⚔️ ⚫️🟡 pic.twitter.com/BueTOJXvyb
I recall Dome saying last year that one full house pays for their season.
So
If that is the case then coupled with the three largest ever transfer fees that they have received, I think this year they are mint!!
Hmmm I'm very sceptical of a full house for the derby. I'm thinking 20k max and that's optimistic sorry. Happy to be proven wrong though
I recall Dome saying last year that one full house pays for their season.
So
If that is the case then coupled with the three largest ever transfer fees that they have received, I think this year they are mint!!
That might've been before the budget cuts though but still, definately will be the biggest payday the nix will be getting, espcially the 25/26 season when WE get the 2 home derbies
New flash Chistchurch stadium to open early 2026, and Nix could get a 20,000 plus crowd if take a ALM game (non derby) there, due the new Stadium novelty factor. Target an ALM team from an Aussie city that has direct flights into Christchurch, to help control costs.
Desert Road Derby?
The Rufers Trophy?
The Andrew Durante Trophy?
The Roy Krishna transfer rumours trophy?
The Intraislander?
The Interislander Memorial Trophy?
The Cool Runnings Trophy?
Imagine after 3 seasons if Wellington had a hundred percent record in the derbies. *chef kissing fingers gesture*