I'm genuinely stunned how many Wellington-based die-hards have immediately latched onto the forced rivalry (leaning into spite) rather than be happy there are now two massive local professional pathways for New Zealand footballers. So 'us vs. them', and I just don't understand it
Only read Ballane as being a bit spiteful. His view that if you have been a Nix fan up to now, you can't jump ship or even support both teams is nonsensical. A huge number of Nix fans are not from Wellington, me included. Many live north of the Bombays. For 17 years they have had no other NZ team to support. But they love NZ & they love football, so the Nix it is. Any parallels to how fans choose their favourite team in the UK are pointless, because they have had 94 EFL club teams in four divisions or whatever for over 100 years. It's a dumb comparison.
Like me some will be a NZ football fan first, and a Nix fan 2nd. So of course we will support the Auckland team as well. Their entry will only be massive plus for the NZ football scene. Some will even now choose them over the Nix, especially if they live in the north of NZ. As others have said it will just become a gut feel thing. Fair enough.
I think most Nix fans (certainly on here) are welcoming at last of a real NZ rival. A proper, non manufactured derby, with travelling fans. I'm sure the banter at the derbies will be 99% good natured, but some pantomine villians like Danny Hay or the first player to switch clubs won't hurt.
Still if you go onto the AKL Football 24 FC Facebook page (their early supporters group) there are few there, less than complimentary of the Phoenix as a club. They have their own Ballane(s). So it's a two way thing.
I follow the Wellington Rugby team but not Auckland
I follow the Wellington Cricket team but not Auckland
I follow the Breakers and the Warriors if Wellington were ever to get a team in those competitions i would then follow those teams. See the pattern.
If your going to use me as an example how about being truthful about it and post something i have said.
Someone definitely wrote that a few months ago, and my memory was it was you, as the person most hating on this new Auckland team, since last year's announcement. Though your constant butchering of the English language burns my retinas, I will endeavour to go back and search. I'll eat the humblest of pies if it was someone else.
And I see you are married to a Geordie. That explains your semi-literate scribblings. You are just writing by ear the phonetic form of English you hear in the family hacienda.