The young socialists behind this, unlike many young socialists, are not jerks (lol) and are very aware of the irony of being Leftie fans of a billionaire's franchise. But isn't it the negative stereotype of Lefties that they refuse to have fun and stay away from anything normal people like? They're also supporters of Manukau United, so that's your coalface football right there.
I can't imagine there'll be conflict with other fans. The Port are studiously non-political (they actually booted T-AFC types from their Facebook page for even raising issues) and I imagine they'll be having too much fun in Bay 22 to notice the Palestine flags or Pay Equity For Women's Football banners in Bay 25. But one of the defining features of Nix fandom for me was that match at NHS where our old mate Balbi confronted Nix fans who were doing homophobic chants, which is where the whole Rainbow Fever thing came from. I think that was a *good* thing. (Balbi is of course a supporter of Dulwich Hamlet, a notoriously Leftie club!)
And as for "Football in NZ should have NZ flavour, not something contrived and imported from other parts": true, but that's a weird criticism, given that this group are very much supporters of Tino Rangatiratanga while overwhelmingly other A-League active supporters (let's face it, including us) take most of our traditions from British and European fandom.
I was not involved in starting this venture but it's fair to say that I'm sympathetic to it and I'll probably join them sometimes when the Nix aren't in town.
I can't imagine there'll be conflict with other fans. The Port are studiously non-political (they actually booted T-AFC types from their Facebook page for even raising issues) and I imagine they'll be having too much fun in Bay 22 to notice the Palestine flags or Pay Equity For Women's Football banners in Bay 25. But one of the defining features of Nix fandom for me was that match at NHS where our old mate Balbi confronted Nix fans who were doing homophobic chants, which is where the whole Rainbow Fever thing came from. I think that was a *good* thing. (Balbi is of course a supporter of Dulwich Hamlet, a notoriously Leftie club!)
And as for "Football in NZ should have NZ flavour, not something contrived and imported from other parts": true, but that's a weird criticism, given that this group are very much supporters of Tino Rangatiratanga while overwhelmingly other A-League active supporters (let's face it, including us) take most of our traditions from British and European fandom.
I was not involved in starting this venture but it's fair to say that I'm sympathetic to it and I'll probably join them sometimes when the Nix aren't in town.